Looking for other young, black professionals

Posted by Vivid-Masterpiece-29@reddit | Dallas | View on Reddit | 28 comments

Hi! I'm a (F) in my early 20s who moved to Dallas for work almost 2 years ago now. I'm trying to be more proactive in socializing, but it's a bit hard starting from scratch lol. A lot of events/clubs that I see advertised have very little black people or people of color at all, and I'm trying not to be discouraged, because I know there are obviously other black people in Dallas and I would like to build a small community out here, especially of other young professionals working in corporate, because it would make things like traveling and creating social plans easier, and also just the ease of getting to know more people in a similar place in their life right now. I lowkey think I'm going through a quarter life crisis from this move 😭.

I'm not opposed to being around people who aren't black, but it gets a bit tiring being the only black person at an event. For reference, I've done things like TimeLeft, social clubs on MeetUp, and even events I've seen advertised on bumble bff and TikTok. Where can I find other young, black professionals, and what are some other ways you guys recommend socializing and finding new friends in the DFW area in general. I'm taking on different side quests and hobbies to try and get out more anyway (sports lessons, picking up my instrument again, trying out improv/comedy classes, trying to learn more about film making by hopefully joining the Dallas Filmmakers Alliance--even eventually taking a grip & lighting certificate course at TCC just for the heck of it). Any other recommendations? I'm very introverted and shy, but I'm really making an effort, but I also realized that what helps in my other friendships is that my friends are a bit more extroverted and outgoing, so they help me strike up the balance. I'd love to meet other young people in corporate, not just if they're black, but also, where are the black people, you know?

I'm also west African, so if there's any cool places to meet other Nigerians/Africans, I'd also like to hear it! Everybody's always pushing Houston on me. Hmph.

[-]

onyx_29@reddit

I’m in a pretty similar spot to you, and this is what’s I’ve been doing:

Try to do something social at least once a week. You won’t meet people if you’re not putting yourself in the right spaces. I’ve been using apps like Posh Events and Eventbrite to find stuff. You can scroll through categories like networking events, fitness, hobbies, parties, and live shows. I checked earlier and saw they’re hosting a Black Law Brunch for Dallas professionals on March 1, which sounds like a cool way to meet other Black professionals. Also if your into bars check out Double D’s and Lady Love!
Join social clubs. Groups like Run It Up Dallas, DFW Black Tennis, and North Texas Ladies Get Outdoors & Travel seem to have a solid community of Black professionals. It’s way easier to meet people when you’re doing activities you actually enjoy and share similar interests.
Use work if you can. This one’s hit or miss, but don’t be shy about introducing yourself to other Black coworkers. If your job has Black professional groups, those can be great for networking and making friends.

The biggest thing is taking initiative. A lot of the time you’ll have to be the one to start the conversation. I know that can feel awkward, especially if you’re introverted, but I’ve had the best luck just introducing myself, finding common interests, and following up after events. If you’re nervous, an easy opener is just giving someone a genuine compliment. Meeting people takes trial and error but as long as you keep making the effort and showing up something will stick.

[-]

Vivid-Masterpiece-29@reddit (OP)

Thank you! This is so helpful. I try and do at least one social thing a week, but it can be discouraging just constantly showing up to places alone, and then just going home with no new connections/friends. I’m looking into tennis lessons right now, too. I’m not very athletic 😭

No-Dust6992@reddit

I am a member of the Dallas/Fort Worth Alliance of Black Accountants. I am not an accountant but came to one of their wine events and meet all kind of people and professionals. It was very nice to just see so many professionals in one place letting their "hair" down and just chilling. Plus now I have a few mentors in the entrepreneur space if I ever take that route. They also volunteer in the community which I really like doing, especially going into the schools and talking to students. I wish I had that when I was in middle/high school

Repulsive_Pin_6585@reddit

Imagine the backlash if a white person posted this

Considering they’re not a minority, I think they’ll be okay 👍🏾 don’t know what’s hard to grasp about how lonely it is being the only person who looks like you everywhere you go. Stay mad.

I’m not mad lol I’m just pointing out the double standard that exists. I genuinely hope you find friends you are comfortable being around

Intelligent_Home_991@reddit

not a double standard u mfs been havin shi since the beginning of time if minorities wanna be with they people let em like wtf yall mfs tryna cope so hard to be oppressed and feel offended this is YALLS AMERICA anyway so stop bitchin

The fact that you felt the need to point out that double standard tells me everything I need to know about you. It’s literally black history month…and you’re trying to point out a double standard about somebody black searching for community in a city—let alone, country—where they’re already a minority. Keep your false encouragement. I don’t need it.

prematureshooter69@reddit

Yeah. Only minorities can be offended. White people aren’t allowed. Right guys

Did I say that? Or did I point out how unnecessary it is to point out a useless double standard about a literal MINORITY asking for help to find other people in that same community. I literally mentioned in my post how every social event I’ve been to so far has centered WHITE people. So what exactly should they be offended by?? THEY’RE THE MAJORITY IN THESE SPACES. This is literally no different than a girl asking where to find more female oriented spaces. But I doubt if I had asked that and not centered my race, you would still have something slick to say. Try again.

lan3yboggs99@reddit

Yeah this would be an easy post then. Go Uptown.

earthworm_fan@reddit

This is an easy post. Go to McKinney if you want to mingle with Nigerians

Wtfareyoutalkinabt@reddit

Imagine the backlash after I’m finished with your sweet mother in my bed

MissChanadlerBongg@reddit

Wait I wish I saw this last month!!😭 I am literally in the exact same boat. I’m 26 and Kenyan!!

nicoleeguacamolee@reddit

Run it up run club

I’ll consider this! Are they open to people of varying fitness levels? I go to the gym, but my cardio is usually walking or stair master 😮‍💨

Yes! They have all different levels including walking pace.

marrhi@reddit

You’re definitely not the only one who feels this way in Dallas, especially when you move here and have to rebuild everything from scratch. The community of young Black professionals exists, it’s just not always visible at the big events

Miss_Ambition@reddit

Definitely tons of amazing black women in leadership at Parkland and UTSW hospitals. Not surr if that helps you at all, but I want you to know that theyre out there!

Also just want to share that as a white woman from NYC living in Dallas, the black corporate crowd has been way more welcoming and helpful in terms of career growth than the white women down here. Not sure if its a southern thing, but the successful white women here are very catty and into gate keeping. I hope you find what youre looking for!!

And as a white guy who’s been living here his whole life, my personal experience has been the exact opposite. Hope this helps!

Lolol gee I wonder why that would be

Ignore him. I appreciate the advice ☺️

DJFredrickDouglass@reddit

I think you're doing all the right things to find people. You're going to events and talking to people and are branching out. It's hard finding your people but if you keep working at it you'll find them. There are always Black and African events on Eventbright and many are cheap/free. It's tough but you'll get there

Thank you! This is so encouraging.

Head down to deep ellum after dark

Imagine the backlash a white person wrote this

ivehadsomany@reddit

Instead of trying to find black specific events. Get the ones you know to go to the for everyone events. Otherwise you’ll make the status quo worse.

punkassbitch6969@reddit

Try Dallas Dinner Society. I am not part of this organization, but I hosted them for one of their dinners and they were one of my favorite groups to host. Very fun and kind group. I don’t believe they’re technically exclusively black, but the majority of the group is young black professionals based on their social media posts and the group when I hosted them.