Episode 32: ThirdSpace Action Lab Episode 1: Origins and Aspirations

This episode launches a new podcast series Moving Toward Healing focused on the incredible work of ThirdSpace Action Lab, a racial equity consulting firm based in Cleveland. The series features six episodes exploring the philosophy, strategies, and achievements of this extremely unique and innovative changemaking powerhouse. ThirdSpace Action Lab was launched five years ago and is based in the historically Black neighborhood of Glenville where they also have a café and bookstore. They describe their purpose as follows: “The future of this country’s neighborhoods depends on our collective efforts to transcend the limitations of the popular imagination.” 

They like to say, imagine if Parliament Funkadelic and McKinsey Consulting had a love child – that is ThirdSpace Action Lab – and they are poised to turn their call for radical imagination into reality. 

We kick off this series with the two change warriors who kicked off the ThirdSpace journey. 

Evelyn Burnett is a co-founder and CEO of ThirdSpace Action Lab and Third Space Café. Her previous roles included Vice President for Economic Opportunity at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Associate Director for Program Strategies at Living Cities, and Project Director in the City of Cleveland’s Office of Sustainability. Evelyn holds a BA in Business and Organizational Communications and Public Relations and a master’s degree in Public Administration from The University of Akron.

Mordecai Cargill is a co-founder and Creative Director of ThirdSpace Action Lab and Third Space Café. Prior to launching ThirdSpace, he served as the Director of Strategy, Research and Impact at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress. Mordecai earned his BA in African American Studies from Yale University, with a concentration on Black Culture in the 20th Century.

ThirdSpace Action Lab

The National Initiative on Mixed-Income Communities