About OPENSPACE

Honest conversations, everywhere.

A global community where African and diaspora professionals connect, heal and grow. Eight years in, and just getting started.

Sydney Sam speaking at an OPENSPACE conversation

Our story

It started with a problem worth talking about.

OPENSPACE began inside Workspace Global, as a way to help clients work through real mindset challenges without bruising anyone's ego. We brought people together, asked guided questions and let them learn from each other.

It worked. What started with clients grew into conversations for professionals and entrepreneurs across Africa and the diaspora. During the pandemic we connected people across thirteen countries when the world needed it most.

Today more than 2,000 people have sat in an OPENSPACE conversation, across more than fifty gatherings, with chapters in five countries.

Moderators at How Men Think

Our mission

Honest conversations, everywhere.

Honest conversations change people. Changed people change their families, workplaces and communities.

YouYour communitiesThe world

Why we exist

There's a difference between being alive and actually living. OPENSPACE is where I get to show up fully as myself. I want everyone to have that.

Sydney Sam · Founder

What we stand for

Open. Honest. Kind. Curious. Deeply human.

We encourage

Speaking honestly

Listening with curiosity. Being open to being challenged. Making space for others.

We encourage

Showing up for each other

Supporting and connecting people. Giving as much as you take. Following up beyond the gathering.

We don't tolerate

Shouting others down

Disrespect, harassment or discrimination. Making anyone feel unsafe. Using the community for personal gain.

Our moderators

Hosted by some of Africa's brightest minds.

Fred ApalooFred ApalooVilla Grace, GH
Dentaa AmoatengDentaa AmoatengGUBA, UK
Sunita KragbeSunita KragbeBasecamp Initiative
William AdoasiWilliam AdoasiVitae, London
Maya Horgan FamoduMaya Horgan FamoduIngressive Capital, NG
Lambert AkwaLambert AkwaCommunications
Arnold Sarfo-KantankaArnold Sarfo-KantankaFuture of Ghana
Terry AframTerry AframBridge Partners, GH

How we're organised

One global team. A team in every chapter.

Global team

Programs

How our conversations are designed and run, the shared calendar, moderators and the podcast.

Global team

Community

The member journey, from first interest to pledge, partners and belonging.

Global team

Marketing

Our brand, our stories and every channel we show up on.

Global team

Revenue & Partnerships

The patrons, sponsors and partners who make it possible.

Global team

Operations

The systems, people and finances that keep OPENSPACE running.

Chapters

Country Curators

Leaders who build and hold the community in each country.

Your people are already here.

Membership is free.

We only use your details to keep you connected. Privacy. Prefer the full form