Growing Businesses that Ignite a Community

Our Mission

is to build a space that enables and builds community around WOC as they turn their ideas into economic power, freedom, and realized dreams. 

Let's Cut to the Chase

The 3rd is opening a revolutionary space in a revolutionary town. 

Columbia, MD, the nation's first planned community, was built upon James Rouse's vision for inclusion and equality.  He saw a community, positioned between two powerful American cities, Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.  that brought the tenants of diversity and inclusion to a city-like suburb.  His vision was big. His execution was bigger.  Our work aligns with this legacy. 

The 3rd is bringing a mixed-use community hub that provides a gathering place for the entire community while showcasing and incubating WOC owned businesses. Nothing but big vision and big execution over here. 

We are now raising funds to get this space OPEN. 

We need $100,000 to support build outs for our conference rooms and podcasting studios. 

Read on to see why we do what we do and all the details!

We know...

Research shows Women of Color need access to things like funding, mentorship, and skill building which building a business. We need a space we know was designed for us to thrive in as we build and execute.  We need a community, a gathering of gifted, goal-centered people with shared experiences to be accountable to and for as we face the challenges ahead. 

We need The 3rd.

Did you know...

There was a 32% decline in Latinx business owners due to COVID-19 between February and April?

or that

There was a 41% decline in Black business owners due to COVID-19 between February and April?

and

Specifically, BIWOC-owned businesses are run by the most educated population in America but remain the least funded, least supported, and continue to have the lease access to resources. 

via GIPHY

The Space

Imagine you're in a prime real estate location in Columbia (*hint there may be some water near by) and you come upon an open, restaurant-style space that draws you in.

• The Lil' Café -The smell of fresh coffee from draws you in but you decide on a bottle of fresh-pressed juice.  Take a look at the little market featuring food based products made by a variety of WOC owned businesses before heading in to the main space. Before you go further, perhaps you pick up a special sauce from a local WOC owned business to try later. 

• The Big Café- The sound of spirited brainstorming and laughter draw you in. Come in to a free-seating cafe where you might meet a friend to catch up or schedule a quick meeting with a colleague. Chef Jamila has got you riiiiiight with soups, salads, and sandwiches that make you think back to Bun Penny (if you know, you know 😉).  You might want to grab a dessert for later, Chef Jamila is a pastry chef by trade. You can and stay and eat or grab a bento box to go. Some days you can hear some live music coming from the small stage and find yourself surrounded by murals and art by WOC artists. 

• The Rentals- Return again and again and rent one of two large, fully equipped conference rooms. Head towards the back to check out the two podcasting studios for rent. We've got a commercial kitchen that's big enough for two and we'd love to share.  You can rent that too. Our business is your business. Your success IS our business. 

• The Store- On your way out be sure to stop by the store. We feature products made by some familiar WOC owned brands you might have seen while scrolling instagram and expose you to some new ones. 

Vision ✅

Plan ✅

Developer ✅

Our Team

Laura Bacon, Founder and CEO

Hey there! 👋🏿   I create spaces where people can show up as the best version of themselves. My life and my work center around community building.  For 14 years, I channeled that through my work in education. I've also worked as company manager in theaters, an artists' manager at an opera, a mentor teacher, and most recently I've settled into my passion, entrepreneurship and community building. My talent is in putting all the right people in a space to make something special.

“May the entities we build be strong, as profitable as we'd like them to be, and above all may they have a lasting impact on our communities."

Now comes the action!

Please take a moment to...

💵  Donate

What may seem small is HUGE to us. Help us build the community by donating even the cost of coffee! 

 📲  Share

The more people who see this campaign the quicker we can open this revolutionary space.  Take a moment, click, copy, paste, and share with 5 people. We appreciate it!

 💻  Reach out

Still have questions? Shoot us an email at [email protected].