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Home » Cayuga County » INSIDE THE FLX: Melody Smith Johnson on co-working, mentoring, and the challenges faced by women of color (podcast)

INSIDE THE FLX: Melody Smith Johnson on co-working, mentoring, and the challenges faced by women of color (podcast)

In this episode, we talk with Melody Smith Johnson, owner of Melody’s, a new co-working space at 128 Genesee St. in downtown Auburn.


We talked about her business background as an HR consultant and owner of Divine Coverings. We talked about the advantages of co-working for new businesses, both having an office infrastructure, and having other people with whom to share ideas and challenges. She told me why it’s important for her to be located on a busy street in the heart of downtown. 

Melody Smith Johnson

We discussed her many years of mentoring young people. Melody started the Beverly L. Smith Empowerment Initiative, named after her mother, to give young women of color a chance to further their educations.

We also talked about the racial attitudes of young people in light of the events and protests of the last few years. 

Melody is doing great work. It is a pleasure to get to share it with you. I hope you enjoy the conversation.