Started with eQuip Richmond Initiative

In 2014, Chevron introduced eQuip Richmond Initiative - an economic revitalization initiative funded to strengthen community viability through wealth-building strategies via entrepreneurship and workforce development. The goal of eQuip was to establish partnerships that can enhance existing opportunities to build capacity, fill jobs with local hires, and improve conditions for local residents.

Three Local Organizations Came Together

The Community Engagement Liaison for Chevron, Andrea Bailey, East Bay Director of Programs for Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Bret Sweet, and Executive Director of Richmond Main Street, Amanda Elliot, came together and collectively agreed that a co-working space provided the best vehicle to spur entrepreneurship and workforce development in Downtown Richmond. 

Andrea Bailey

Bret Sweet

Amanda Elliot

Developer Identified

With the help of Janet Johnson, former Economic Development Manager for the City of Richmond, the partners recruited Ernst Valery, an inclusive community developer and founder of real estate investment firm SAA-EVI, to the project. 

Janet Johnson, Former City Manager for Richmond

Ernst Valery, Developer

Location Identified

After exploring locations throughout the city for a co-working space, Ernst identified the unoccupied commercial space under the Richmond BART Parking Garage as the ideal site due to its proximity to BART, Capitol Corridor, AC Transit, I-80, I-580, and soon to be Ferry.

Initial rendering of the outside of CoBiz under the Richmond Bart Parking Garage

Architect Firm Brought On 

John Change of Flynn Architecture secured to help with the buildout and optimization of the space. 

John Chang, Architect & Technical Designer

2018 - Project Breaks Ground

2018 - CEO hired to lead the project

In 2018, Wesley Alexander was hired as the CEO of CoBiz Richmond to lead the project off the ground. 

Wesley Alexander on site in January 2019

March 2019 - Interior Designer Selected

Kelly Finley, Founder of Joy Street Design, selected as the interior designer for CoBiz Richmond. 

November 2019 - CoBiz Opens

CoBiz Team on opening night - Maya (intern) , La Marla (Event Manager), Wesley (CEO), Love (Ambassador), Christina (Community Manager), Caleb Finley (intern)