CNN: Black Organization Hosting Georgia Networking Event: “Come Meet A Black Person” November 16

by Amber Randall

NORCROSS, GA – A black organization is hosting a Georgia networking event on Thursday to help white people become friends with non-white people.

“Come Meet Black People,” to be hosted on Thursday, is meant to help white people meet black people and vice versa, CNN reported Tuesday. Organized in conjunction with the Urban Mediamakers and other groups, the event urges white people to put aside “pre-conceived notions” about the black community and come out to make friends with black people, the event page reads.

“With your help — diverse actors, filmmakers, writers, movie lovers, our members and supporters — we are inviting non-black people to put aside any pre-conceived notions about the black community and bring an open mind to our “Come Meet A Black Person” Networking Event,” the organizers noted.

Cheryle Moses, the founder of the organization behind the event, came up with the idea after seeing a 2013 Public Religion Research Institute poll revealing that white people usually only have other whites as friends. Seventy-five percent of white people aren’t friends with other minorities, while 65 percent of black people don’t have white friends.

Moses said she wants the event to be a time where people can forge real relationships with each other. Attendees are able to participate in a Get-Acquainted Scavenger Hunt, where they can learn more about the black community, eat and drink together.

“It’s a great opportunity to start relationships,” she said. “And if you have a relationship with somebody, you are inclined to treat them like yourself. If you don’t have that relationship, then you’ll only treat them based upon what you may have seen or read somewhere.”

Follow Amber on Twitter