History · Endeavors
Projects that became movements.
A pattern of starting things early — coworking, the hashtag, un-conferences — and handing them to the world.
The Creative Space
A coworking facility for independent workers, freelancers, telecommuters, and creatives in Bryan, TX. Founded in 2007 by Bailey and friends who wanted a real workspace beyond coffee shops and home offices — recognized as the second coworking space in North America.
Hashtags
Bailey built a platform to centralize topical conversations using the # symbol borrowed from IRC. It predated Twitter's adoption of hashtags and let people track trending discussions and social movements — from #sdfire to the Iranian elections.
Kinky Friedman Campaign
Bailey supported Kinky Friedman's 2007 populist gubernatorial campaign, building blog sites and collecting over 13,000 petition signatures across East Texas to help place Friedman on the ballot.
BarCamp
An autonomous un-conference Bailey brought to Bryan, TX after discovering it in Palo Alto — gathering community members and state thought leaders in an open, egalitarian environment built to spark conversations and connections.
BIL (and TED)
A global un-conference started by Bailey, Todd Huffman, and Bill Erickson. Over nine years, BIL ran across 33 cities in seven countries, uniting more than 5,000 attendees through free, inclusive events.
Rock the Republic
A 3-day, 12-venue, 120-artist event created by Bailey and eight friends. Coordinated by 110 volunteers, it brought year-round cultural programming — music, art, and poetry — to Bryan / College Station.
Grand Stafford Theater
A 100-year-old historic opera house renovated over five months in downtown Bryan. Reopened to host regional performers including Asleep at the Wheel, Kinky Friedman, and Flyleaf, it now serves as the region's foremost cultural venue.