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I want to find a network of like-minded women of color. I want to join a community of dynamic women who are career-minded, preferably entrepreneurial. I would love to be a part of a group of women whose background and history are similar to mine, whose challenges reflect a similar and shared experience. Like the majority of women in the U.S. who use the Internet to blog, Tweet and update our statuses, I am looking for connection and friendship and support.
I love my connection with the fantastic BlogHer community, and I greatly value my friendships with the diverse groups of bloggers and writers and commenters that I have connected with online over the years. But I am, at this stage in my life, with older children and a budding business, in need of a more-structured, cultural connection that is specific to the woman of color experience.
I’d like to find a network that focuses on business — how to run a successful small business, how to brand oneself, and how to get the word out. But I’d also like to find a group that discusses personal challenges like relationships and kids ... and the best products to tame my natural hair.(You know, a black girl can’t use any ole thing on her hair!) And I’d like a place to discuss and share our common cultural connections. I want an online community where I can give back. Is that asking too much? Nope, I don’t think so.
So I have been looking. And as it turns out, I have discovered a few promising community options and am intrigued by the people behind them. LaShanda Henry has created a little fiefdom of cultural connectivity over at Many Shades of You Online and The BlackWomenNetwork. Henry is a web designer and work-at-home-mom who has, for the past ten years, been growing her crop of websites and networks into an interconnected web-world specifically for people of color. She is a whiz at design and an expert at brand development. But she clearly has a heart for all things African-American. Her networks include Black Business Women Online; The Black Mom’s Club; What Black Women Think; and the most recent addition, Social Media Sistas.
All of her networks are good-looking and well-populated. The Black Business Women Online has a million things going on. This network boasts over 8,000 members from very diverse backgrounds and business interests, ranging from college students to business headliners like Richelle Shaw, who owns a telephone company (as in a public utility) and was recently featured with Oprah in Black Enterprise Magazine. Henry showcases members and their success stories. She offers webinars and ebooks of her own and by others.
I was happy to see that she features new releases by black authors prominently on the main page. There are twenty discussion forums with subjects that run the gambit, though most of the topics are promotional -— members (and Henry) promoting their services and wares. Interestingly, the most active discussion topic by far is "Sistas Connect," where members can talk about anything and everything. And they do! Henry is very actively involved in the site. She contributes regularly in the forums and groups (there are over 300) mostly by promoting her members and her services. But despite the heavy presence of ads and promotions, the site feels welcoming, open, and friendly. It is especially designed for business beginners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Black Mom’s Club is a network for "Black Moms, African American Parents, Mothers of Color, Single Moms, Dads." This site, too, is visually appealing and engaging. I was thrilled to read a featured blog post by Henry of her interview with Terry Crews. Terry "Muscle Man" Crews, devoted Hollywood father of five and the funniest man on television (in my opinion), is the star of the new sitcom, Are We There Yet?
The Black Mom’s Network also showcases other Black parenting bloggers and Black family websites. There are over 3500 members, mostly moms with a few expressive dads. The forum has 8oo topics on record, but very little discussion is taking place. On the other hand, a featured member blog post titled, "Are Black Women Teaching Their Daughters to be Mean?" got 56 comments. The few exchanges that are happening in the forums are positive and supportive. The video section of the
