Meet Forge Ambassador LaToya R. Mims

Meet Forge Ambassador LaToya R. Mims

Meet LaToya R. Mims- our newest Forge Ambassador!

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself

My name is LaToya R. Mims. I am a proud native of Birmingham, AL. I am married to my best friend, Henry Mims and we have two beautiful children, Harper (6) and Mason (almost 2).
Professionally, my background is in Clinical Laboratory Science and Infection Prevention, but I have recently shifted gears to really utilize my strengths of breaking down barriers in communication and truly fostering relationships to work in serving others, through my nonprofit.
I am an avid lover of volleyball and basketball, and have 12 years of coaching volleyball under my belt.

What brought you to Forge?

 

I was familiar with Forge because I previously utilized the Cahaba conference room and was impressed with how effortless the process to book a room was. So when Catrice, who is also an Ambassador at Forge, recommended the opportunity to serve as an Ambassador, I was very interested.

What are you looking forward to about working at Forge?

 

After meeting with Kim and learning about how the Ambassadors serve, I was truly amazed by the opportunities to network. So, I am really looking forward to participating in the panels and other community networking events.

What do you do when you are not working at Forge?

When I am not at Forge, I am putting in the work to build my nonprofit, The WildFlower Alliance, into a sustainable organization that will impact families for generations to come.
I also am a part of 3 different leadership cohorts, UAB Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and other related Disabilities (LEND), Partners in Policymaking Alabama (PIPA) and Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) LEND Scholars based in Connecticut, to truly invest in building my knowledge base of policies that impact individuals with Disabilities.

If you could choose to do anything for the day, what would you choose to do?

If I could do anything for a day, it would be to sit on a beach in front of the ocean and just be.

What is your favorite thing about Birmingham?

 

My favorite thing about Birmingham is our ability to evolve and thrive. We have seen and endured some remarkable times, historically that set a precedent. Birmingham is stronger today and our growth continual.
A Recap: Celebrate Women 2025

A Recap: Celebrate Women 2025

On March 7, Forge was buzzing with energy as we gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day with an inspiring morning of connection, conversation, and celebration. Our Celebrate Women event brought together an incredible group of women for an engaging panel discussion, networking, shopping, and more.

Celebrate Women Panel

Photo by Matthew Niblett

Forge Staff

The Ladies of Forge- Photo by Matthew Niblett

A Powerful Panel Discussion

 

The highlight of the morning was our panel of three accomplished Birmingham women business leaders, who shared their experiences, challenges, and insights on this year’s theme: Accelerate Action. We were honored to hear from:

  • Amber Hooks – Accounting Manager at Immediate and Co-Founder of Happenins in the Ham
  • Meredith Calhoun – Founder of Tessa Commercial Real Estate
  • Cierra Belser – Founder of Enspire Executive Solutions

 

Their stories resonated with the audience as they shared lessons on leadership, entrepreneurship, and pushing past obstacles to build successful careers and businesses.

 

Celebrate Women Event

Photo by Matthew Niblett

 

Swag Bags, Shopping & Giveaways

 

Of course, no celebration is complete without a little fun! Attendees enjoyed fabulous swag bags filled with goodies from local women-owned businesses.

 

Celebrate Women Swag Bags

 

Celebrate Women Swag Bags

 

Swag Bag Sponsors:

 

Our mini market featured a curated selection of vendors, allowing guests to shop and support local female entrepreneurs. To top it off, we gave away some exciting door prizes, adding an extra touch of excitement to the day!

 

Mini Market Vendors:

 

Celebrate Women Mini Market

Photo by Matthew Niblett

 

Celebrate Women Mini Market

Photo by Matthew Niblett

Celebrate Women Mini Market

Photo by Matthew Niblett

Thank You to Our Community

 

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and supported this event! It was an amazing reminder of the power of women coming together to share knowledge, uplift one another, and create meaningful connections. We’re already looking forward to next year’s celebration!

 

Stay tuned for more upcoming events at Forge!

 

Celebrate Women Event

Photo by Matthew Niblett

Meet Forge Ambassador Catrice Pruitt

Meet Forge Ambassador Catrice Pruitt

We are excited to introduce our newest Forge Ambassador, Catrice Pruitt!

 

Catrice Pruitt

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

 

A native of Fairfield, Alabama, Catrice is pursuing her Ph.D in Early Childhood Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She completed her Masters in Early Childhood Education at Alabama State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Miles College.
With 15+ years of experience in early childhood education, Catrice uses her expertise to mentor, motivate and educate child care directors, advocate for our youngest learners on Capitol Hill alongside the Women’s Foundation of Alabama and Voices for Alabama’s Children. She is also transcending into other ventures such as finance and health and well-being to help evoke community impact and economic power.

What brought you to Forge?

 

The opportunity to grow professionally and personally, while making new connections.

What are you looking forward to about working at Forge?

 

Learning more about co-working spaces and how to best meet the needs of clients in this setting. Also, making new connections and knowing what services are in the Magic City.

What do you do when you are not working at Forge?

 

Catrice works at a local nonprofit making quality childcare happen for our youngest learners. In her spare time, you can find Catrice active with several committees and focus groups, serving on several Board of Directors, leading several peer groups such as the W.E.D.N (Women Entrepreneurs & Directors Network), mentoring future leaders in 21st Century Skills readiness, reading and listening to audio books, and serving at my church.
You can also find her at local eateries, coffee shops, Barnes & Noble, and most importantly, spending time with her greatest joy, her daughter Erin.

If you could choose to do anything for the day, what would you choose to do?

 

Spend the day in another country enjoying the food and learning the culture.

What is your favorite thing about Birmingham?

 

The legacy of Birmingham and the people who helped shape it.
Level Up Your Work Game in 2025: 5 Reasons to Try Coworking This Year

Level Up Your Work Game in 2025: 5 Reasons to Try Coworking This Year

The start of a new year is the perfect time to rethink how and where you work. If you’re ready to elevate your productivity and make 2025 your most successful year yet, it might be time to step out of your home office or local coffee shop and into a coworking space. Forge might be perfect for you if you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur or remote worker.

 

Here are five reasons why coworking at Forge could be the game-changer you need:

 

1. Boost Your Productivity

 

The environment you work in plays a huge role in how productive you are. Coworking spaces are designed to minimize distractions and provide everything you need to focus. With access to high-speed Wi-Fi, comfortable workstations, and quiet zones for deep work, Forge helps you get more done in less time.

 

Pro Tip: Use our phone booths for private calls or virtual meetings so you can stay professional and uninterrupted.

 

 

 

2. Say Goodbye to Isolation

 

Remote work can get lonely, but coworking spaces offer the best of both worlds: independence and community. At Forge, you’ll meet like-minded professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives who understand your journey. Who knows? You might even make a business connection or two over coffee.

 

 

 

 

3. Access to Professional Perks

 

Coworking spaces aren’t just about desks. At Forge, you can book conference rooms for team meetings, use our event spaces for presentations, and enjoy amenities like complimentary coffee and snacks. These perks add a layer of professionalism to your workday that you simply can’t get at home.

 

 

 

4. Save Money and Stay Flexible

 

Leasing a traditional office can be costly and binding. Forge offers flexible membership options—including our special 25% off deal for January and February —so you can tailor your workspace to your budget and needs. Whether you need a dedicated desk or occasional access, there’s an option for everyone.

 

 

 

5. Fuel Your Creativity and Motivation

 

Sometimes, a change of scenery is all you need to spark new ideas and stay motivated. The energy at Forge is contagious, with a mix of professionals from different industries bringing fresh perspectives and inspiration to the table. Not to mention we have monthly Member Only events so you can get connected to the community!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Member Spotlight: Ethan Davis

Member Spotlight: Ethan Davis

 

Tell us a little bit about what you do/your company does.

 

Front Gate Tickets specializes in ticketing and RFID technology for 180 music festivals in North America. We help with everything from building and hosting the ticketing website, wristband fulfillment, and making sure everyone scans correctly on-site for both Live Nation and independent promoters.”

What is your favorite part about your job?

 

 

“The travel for sure! Each year I end up getting to go to about 20 different music festivals, so you probably won’t see me in the office every week.”

What made you decide to join Forge?

 

“That sweet sweet location! It’s hard to beat downtown Birmingham.”

What is your favorite thing about Forge?

 

 

“The absolutely amazing commute from my apartment in the building.”

What is your favorite spot/place to work at Forge?

 

 

“Catch me on the West side overlooking the food hall courtyard OR in a booth on a meeting that should have been an email.”

What are your favorite tech tools to get your job done or keep your life organized?

 

“You gotta have that external monitor and cable bag with you! (I’m borderline useless without a second screen.)”

What is the last show you binge-watched?

 

 

“What We Do In The Shadows”
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