New Networks Rise For Black Professionals

This article discusses networking among black professionals in Orlando, Fl., but I (J) thought it was equally applicable to many other U.S. cities.

“Since 2000, the array of organizations for black professionals has expanded as the number of college-educated, middle-class blacks in Metro Orlando grew by 29 percent. Black households making more than $100,000 a year have nearly doubled since 1999, according to the latest census figures.

“The new groups — many of them Web-based — expand the network of black professionals beyond the traditional groups of alumni associations, fraternities and sororities, and organizations for attorneys, doctors and engineers.

“The growth of new networking organizations reflects, in many ways, the dispersal of black professionals across Metro Orlando. Because there is no established, middle-class black business district or an upscale black neighborhood, the groups serve as that center of gravity for black professionals.”It is so spread out, there is an element of isolation,” said Vilbert White, an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida.

“Traditionally, the meeting place for black professionals has been the church, but as church membership has fallen off, professional and social organizations have assumed that role, White said. Some of Orlando’s black-professional groups sponsor social events. Others focus on career development. One has a political emphasis, while another arranges group travel for its members.

TheStateOf . . . Black Networks. One of my mentors takes a day off from work every 90 days to call business contacts in his address book. Though I don’t follow this exact program, I do try to spend an hour a week or so calling people I haven’t talked to in a while. Keep dem networks tight, y’all!!! They can get you through a cold winter!!