How to meet prof Afr Americans in the city (newbie) (Chicago: school, university)

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by nj21

How's it going? Have you attended any outings and events? I feel the same way.

I'm a professional single black woman living in the gold coast and do not have any interaction with other black professionals. Except maybe a few in the office. I'd like to make more friends. This is a bit depressing. I'm even considering moving back to the NJ/NYC tri-state area.

I'm so sorry to hear that.

I have been too busy to get out but there are many concerts, comedy shows and plays if you are into that sort of thing.

I meet a lot of Black professionals in hyde park just walking around living their daily life. People are very sociable without a party scene. In Chicago its all about the neighborhood that can make or break your social life here.

I don't hang out in the Gold Coast so I'm not sure about the options for Black professional crowd in that neighborhood. Chicago can be a tough city for Black professional transplants.

[CurryChicken]

You can meet many professional blacks in Englewood.

[nj21]

Originally Posted by CurryChicken

You can meet many professional blacks in Englewood.

Thanks. Maybe that has been working out for you, but I'd rather not.

[picardlx]

Why is meeting other 'professionals' so important anyway? So you can have friendly fights over which BS, LS or grad school was the 'best'?

[mjtinmemphis]

Originally Posted by picardlx

Why is meeting other 'professionals' so important anyway? So you can have friendly fights over which BS, LS or grad school was the 'best'?

So we can be around others with common experiences. Why do you ask?

[treemoni]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

Chicago can be a tough city for Black professional transplants.

Pretty much. Chicago is not an ideal city for black transplants. Native professionals here likely went to the better public high schools (or private high schools) and still hang out with high school/childhood friends. That's just how it is here.

Better luck in Houston, Atlanta, DC or NYC.

[treemoni]

Originally Posted by stephei2000

There is also First Fridays and website called Full Affect Marketing ran by Mark Fuller. There are a lot of events I use to received through text and e-mail.

Good suggestion. I like MF as a DJ. He spins good music but over the years he has been kinda fanatical about the type of crowd he wants at his events, and it's off-putting to me. Definitely what you're looking for though, OP.

[nj21]

Originally Posted by treemoni

Pretty much. Chicago is not an ideal city for black transplants. Native professionals here likely went to the better public high schools (or private high schools) and still hang out with high school/childhood friends. That's just how it is here.

Better luck in Houston, Atlanta, DC or NYC.

Why don't they want to expand their social circles? I'm dying to get out and socialize. An afterwork dinner here, a brunch there...what's the harm in that?

I've taken the liberty to join some meetup groups and the first one is Friday. Not with black professionals, but this city has too much to offer for me to just sit at home.

Like I previously mentioned, I may move back to NJ/NY if these year doesn't work out for me.

[treemoni]

Originally Posted by nj21

Why don't they want to expand their social circles? I'm dying to get out and socialize. An afterwork dinner here, a brunch there...what's the harm in that?

They socialize...just in the same groups they've always socialized with LOL. I am not on the scene so I can't really talk about it but I was going to suggest the South Loop. I hate having that as the default suggestion, but the fact of the matter is, the south loop is where you're likely to find black transplants AND professional natives. Since Chicago is segregated and "stick to your own group", people are more apt to maintain lifelong bonds. I don't think that's a bad thing. I know that with my own peer group, we were not hostile to outsiders...we just didn't seek them out because we already had friends. I went to school in-state and looking back I wish I didn't, because I would've liked to expanded my circle. Though it's never too late, I feel like I missed out on meeting new friends during college, and now people just don't have (or make) the time.

I've taken the liberty to join some meetup groups and the first one is Friday. Not with black professionals, but this city has too much to offer for me to just sit at home.

People have suggested meetup to me as well. Maybe I'll try it this spring.

How long have you been here? I know transplants who've found their niche here, but they are naturally outgoing people. As someone else suggested, they also join activities (summer sports leagues, for example). The people are out there. You just have to know where to find them. I wish I could help, but I'm a native and I have this problem too.

[marothisu]

Meetups are always good especially when you want to find common interests outside of drinking, music, etc (though they are good for more centered music interests). Good to meet up with people who share what you're going through, but in the end if you want a diverse group of friends, it's good to do those things with groups for other random things too.

When I first moved to the city, I knew nobody except my coworkers. I didn't like their "scene" so I stopped hanging out with them after a month. The next 5-6 months were really lonely for me, but I knew the city had a ton to offer and I just explored it and kept going. Luckily I fell in with a group of friends who are great, still to this day and a few who live around me in Gold Coast. I know how you feel especially if you've only been here for a little bit and you don't know many people or haven't found a crowd yet.