Member Spotlight: Glenny Brock

Member Spotlight: Glenny Brock

 Glenny Brock

Meet Forge Member, Glenny Brock!

Glenny is the Project Consultant for The Lincoln Theatre

In addition to your job title, tell us a little bit about what you do:

“The renovation of the Lincoln Theatre is the first major initiative of The Holland Project, a nonprofit organization founded by acclaimed actor and Bessemer native André Holland. Along with the renovation of the Lincoln, the only undestroyed Black theatre in Bessemer, future plans include renovation of the historic Woolworth/Albano building, just one block away from The Bright Star.”
Lincoln Theater

What is your favorite part about your job?

 

“I love and admire my colleague Mary Holland; I learn from her every time we talk. My second favorite part of the job is learning about the history of Bessemer.”
Lincoln Theater

What made you decide to join Forge?

 

“We have A LOT to do — and we have incredible momentum right now, thanks in part to grant support from the Susan Mott Webb Foundation and the Alabama State Council on the Arts. But we first worked at Forge way back in 2017, the earliest days of our organization and of Forge too.”

What is your favorite thing about Forge?

 

“I love coming to work in a historic building in downtown Birmingham to plan a future where many people work in historic buildings in downtown Bessemer.”

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

 

“I usually work in the oversized chairs or the elevated desk counter that overlooks the courtyard. I appreciate how that area is flooded with sunlight. Plus I get in hundreds of steps every time I want to go seek good counsel from Jacqui Jones.”

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

 

“The Pomodoro app, playing the Shinkansen Train soundtrack. When I am strict with myself about 25-minute work intervals and five-minute breaks, I get a tremendous amount of work done.”

Is there a product you cannot live without?

 

“Right now the answer is Dr. Bronner’s peppermint hand sanitizer.”

What is the last show you binge-watched?

 

“THE GILDED AGE. I didn’t love it, but I couldn’t stop.”

What is your ideal weekend in Birmingham?

 

“The following delights in any order: a walk on the Vulcan Trail, a walk in Railroad Park, walk the entire length of Highland Avenue, ceviche at El Barrio, a slice at Zaza, cold beers on the Rojo patio, hot coffee at House 11 or Red Bike, buying tamales at Pepper Place Market, volunteering with the Alabama Theatre organ crew, and seeing a Sunday matinee at the Sidewalk Cinema.”
10 Reasons Forge is the Ultimate HQ for Your Hybrid Team

10 Reasons Forge is the Ultimate HQ for Your Hybrid Team

The workplace has changed — and so have your team’s needs. Gone are the days of one central office and daily commutes. Today’s best companies are building hybrid teams: flexible, distributed, and empowered to work wherever they thrive.

But even remote-friendly teams need a place to connect, collaborate, and feel like a team. That’s where Forge comes in.

Here are 10 reasons why coworking memberships at Forge are the perfect fit for your hybrid or remote team:

 


1. A Central Hub Without the Overhead

Think of Forge as your team’s home base — a flexible, professional HQ your team can use when they need it, without the cost or commitment of a traditional office lease.


Forge Coworking

2. Plans Built for Your Team’s Needs

Need regular meeting space? A few private offices? Or just a place for your team to drop in a few times a week? Forge offers customizable plans designed around how your hybrid team actually works.


3. Face Time, When It Matters

Zoom is great — until it’s not. Forge gives your team a consistent space to gather in person, brainstorm together, and strengthen working relationships that can’t be built in Slack threads alone.


Forge Coworking

4. Connection to Something Bigger

Your team won’t just be connecting with each other — they’ll also be surrounded by other professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives. That built-in community creates a richer, more energizing workday experience. Forge hosts monthly Members-Only events to foster a strong community.


5. Boosted Morale & Engagement

Working from home can feel isolating. Forge helps fight that by giving team members a space where they feel seen, supported, and inspired — which leads to better engagement and retention.


6. Attract & Retain Top Talent

The best employees want flexibility and connection. Offering a Forge membership shows you’re invested in building a work culture that supports both — which helps you stand out in a competitive hiring market.


Forge Coworking

 

7. Support for Focus & Productivity

Whether it’s a quiet desk, strong Wi-Fi, or fewer interruptions than a home office, Forge gives your team the tools to do their best work — on their own terms.


8. Private + Shared Space Options

Need to host a client meeting? Want a private office for heads-down days? Or prefer a more open coworking vibe? With Forge, your team can choose the space that fits their day’s goals.


Domestique

 

9. Built for the Hybrid Economy

Forge was designed with the hybrid workforce in mind. We’re not just adapting to this new model — we’re helping shape it, with spaces that balance autonomy and connection, flexibility and structure.


10. A Better Way to Work Together

Forge brings your hybrid team the best of both worlds: the freedom of remote work, and the connection of in-person collaboration. It’s not just coworking — it’s a smarter, more human way to work.


Ready to make Forge your team’s HQ?

Let’s build a custom plan that fits the way your team works — and thrives.

We are currently offering (through July 31) a BOGO deal– buy one month and get your second month FREE! Interested? Schedule a tour now!

What Makes Forge the Place to Work (According to Our Members)

What Makes Forge the Place to Work (According to Our Members)

At Forge, we believe the best way to understand what makes our coworking space special is to hear it directly from the people who use it every day. From entrepreneurs to creatives, remote workers to small teams, our members choose Forge for all kinds of reasons—location, community, productivity, and more. We asked a few of them to share what drew them to Forge and why it’s the place they love to work.

📍 Location, Location, Location


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


Whether it’s the walkability, the energy of being in the heart of the city, or the short commute, location is one of the first things that draws people to Forge. Forge is located above The Pizitz Food Hall for easy access to delicious food all day!

The Pizitz

💼 A Place That Just Feels Right


“The environment and location were what we were looking for.” – Austin
“It felt like the right place for our small but ambitious company.” – Hudson


Forge isn’t a one-size-fits-all space—it’s designed to support a wide range of businesses, from solopreneurs to small teams chasing big goals.

🏡 Finding Balance Between Work and Home


“I had been working from home a few days a week, but wanted to manage better work/life balance. When my office was at home, I could always work. Going to a clean, neutral third space helped improve my focus at work and improve my enjoyment of life at home.” – Derrick


For many members, Forge offers more than just a desk—it offers boundaries, focus, and the kind of clarity that’s hard to find at the kitchen table.

👋 A Community of Like-Minded People


“I miss being around people when I work, so the opportunity to network and socialize is key!” – Daniel


Working solo doesn’t mean working in isolation. At Forge, members find community, connection, and opportunities to grow alongside other professionals.

🚲 A Fresh Start in a Creative Space


“I moved from Brooklyn to Birmingham in 2021. After working from home a couple of years, I really missed being in more of an office environment. Forge offered a nice, bike-able, commute, and a flexible environment for working around other creative, talented and driven folks.” – Seth


Whether you’re new to Birmingham or just looking for a new routine, Forge is the kind of place that helps you feel plugged in, inspired, and productive.

No matter your reason for joining Forge—whether it’s the energy of downtown, the need for a boundary between work and home, or the desire to be part of a supportive professional community—there’s space for you here.

Want to see if Forge is a fit for you? Come take a tour or try a free day of coworking. We’d love to show you around. Right now we’re running a BOGO deal: buy one month and get your second month FREE! This offer ends July 31.

Member Spotlight: Austin Carle

Member Spotlight: Austin Carle

Austin Carle

 

The Forge staff is happy to introduce you to Austin Carle,

Video Production Manager at Easton Film Co!

 

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

 

“We are a video production company that specializes in weddings. I oversee all video shoots and edits the company releases.”
Easton Film Co documents once-in-a-lifetime moments and creates unforgettable wedding films. They are based in the southeast but film nationwide.
Easton Film Co

Easton Film Co

What is your favorite part about your job?

 

“I’ve loved shooting and editing video ever since high school. So the fact that I’m able to do it full time is awesome to me. I love being able to tell the stories that people have. Everyone has a story!”

What made you decide to join Forge?

 

“The environment and location were what we were looking for.”

What is your favorite thing about Forge?

 

“Love how professional and relational everyone is. The front desk staff is so welcoming.”

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

 

“In our office space”

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

 

ClickUp is an all-in-one productivity platform that helps teams manage tasks, projects, docs, goals, and communication in one place. It’s highly customizable and great for improving workflow efficiency, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or part of a large team.
ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI that can understand and generate human-like text. It’s used for everything from answering questions and writing content to brainstorming ideas, automating tasks, and offering conversational support across a wide range of topics.

Is there a product you cannot live without?

 

What is the last show you binge-watched?

 

“Beast Games on Amazon Prime”

What is your ideal weekend in Birmingham?

 

“Discovering Birmingham. I just moved here!”
Staff Member Spotlight: Kenzi Mayberry

Staff Member Spotlight: Kenzi Mayberry

Meet Forge’s Operations and Hospitality Coordinator, Kenzi Mayberry!

 

Kenzi Mayberry

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

“I am LaKenzise Mayberry! My friends call me Kenzi. With a bachelor’s degree in social work, and a master’s degree in public administration, I have had a pretty good and fulfilling career being in service to people.
First working in nonprofit community programming, and then government human resources, learning and development. I am very passionate about helping people identify their strengths and reach their goals. I thrive in environments characterized by teamwork, collaboration, and a little fun! I speak the language of order and organization, but a small part of me likes to throw it up in the air and see where it all lands. I call that balance!
My biggest goal for the next leg of my career is being in a position where my efforts, my contributions make a difference; help move the needle forward. As a self-proclaimed Girl Scout, I want to leave this world better than I found it!”

What brought you to Forge?

 

“I was working from home, and would occasionally get out of the house, going to different spaces around the city, to work. Pizitz Food Hall was one of the places I frequented. One afternoon, while at Pizitz, I was scrolling on Facebook and saw the position at Forge advertised.
At some point I had followed Forge, but could not recall ever seeing a post. So I took seeing the post as a sign and applied! I was coming to the end of a contract I was working on, and was looking for new opportunities. And of course, once I took the deep dive to learn more, I was convinced this was the place for me!”

What are you looking forward to about working at Forge?

 

“I am looking forward to learning! Learning how to build community among individual entrepreneurs and professionals. Learning how to create an environment that promotes creativity, productivity, and peace. And learning all about the systems, processes, and little nuances that make Forge special.”

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

 

“I love reading, watching documentaries, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I especially love spending time with my two nephews, Houston, 3, and Dallas who will be two in July. Their names are what happens when I am not around to supervise my two brothers. And no, my nephews are no twins and neither of my brothers has lived in or spent time in Texas!”

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

 

“I would love to travel back in time to spend a day with Cleopatra. Her story fascinates me! And if traveling back in time were not an option, I would love to spend one day on Michelle Obama’s annual girlfriends’ retreat. I can only imagine the wisdom and knowledge I could soak up in the company of such an amazing and accomplished group of women.”

What is your favorite thing about Birmingham?

 

“Birmingham was never on my bingo card. And although I have lived here since 2016, I am just now starting to feel at home.
What I love most about Birmingham is the location. If you are not against road trips, you can jump in the car and be at a number of southern cities and attractions in less than five hours. I also love the “big city, small town vibe” that Birmingham offers. It is the best of both worlds.”