Creating Community: How Boston Young Black Professionals Fosters Support for Members

Being new to a city or a state can be overwhelming. One element to making a new place “home” is finding your people. And another element is having a space that fosters intentionality and thoughtfulness. 

Boston Young Black Professionals (YBP) looks to create that space for professionals — ages 21-38 — in the Greater Boston area. Boston YBP hosts a range of events, like networking mixers and volunteer opportunities to movie nights and an annual beach day, for over 2,000 members.

In this Q&A, Ron Daniels, Boston YBP’s President, discusses the importance of the organization to the community, challenges Boston YBP members are experiencing, and advice he would give to other Black young professionals, and more. 

Startup Boston (SB): YBP has been around for over 10 years. What does it mean for the community, especially for early and mid-career Black professionals? 

Ron Daniel (RD): Boston YBP has actually been around since 2012 and became a nonprofit in 2022! For the community, Boston YBP means a warm introduction to Boston. It's a welcoming space where people can meet lifetime friends, and make genuine personal and professional connections at our signature monthly networking meetups or other events. Our events are designed to be intimate and free with a smaller crowd than many other events in the city.

Many Black professionals who attend YBP events for the first time are new to the Greater Boston area, living here less than two years. They left their family and friends behind in another city or country and moved to Boston for school or work, and often are one of a few Black professionals on their team at work.

I’ve noticed many people who have made friends at YBP events as far back as 2021 have formed a close circle and still hang out with each other today. For early and mid-career Black professionals, YBP has been a resource where they meet someone who can help them elevate in their careers through career advice, help them with a project, or provide reference for a new job. 

SB: How does YBP support investors, entrepreneurs, founders, and others in the startup space? And how does it help them personally and professionally? 

RD: We refer them to local resources, specifically to the Roxbury Innovation Center or Cambridge Innovation Center to support their endeavors. Boston YBP has a Facebook group and GroupMe chats that our community can join for free. If an entrepreneur, investor or founder is looking for support within our community, they can reach out through these channels at no cost.

If an entrepreneur, for example, prefers a YBP board member to post content on their behalf seeking assistance with their startup or project, YBP also offers paid social media and advertising packages that include an option to post an ad in our quarterly newsletter. 

SB: In general, what challenges do you think members are experiencing now? How does/will YBP help them navigate them? 

RD: I think members are experiencing challenges in their social life. YBP helps by organizing monthly events all year around that are free, making sure everyone who attends feels welcome.

We also provide a free list of resources for Black professionals to find a Black therapist or doctor to support their mental and physical health. 

SB: Switching up gears a bit. How long have you been a member of YBP? Why did you join? What inspired you to take on the leadership role? 

RD: I’ve been a member since 2019. I joined because it was difficult for me to make friends with other Black professionals outside of work. What made me take on the leadership role is a sad story. I met someone who moved to Boston for grad school from L.A. and after two years, they made no friends here. I promised to do my part to help others not have a similar experience.

I also was inspired to do my small part to change the perception that Boston is not a welcoming city for Black professionals compared to cities, such as D.C., Atlanta, or Houston. 

SB: Going forward, what advice can you share with other Black young professionals in the startup space?  

RD: The advice I would share would be three things. One, look for a mentor to guide you as you’re building and growing; two, start where you are with what you have; and three, look for reliable and trustworthy business partners. It’s better to own 60% of a $3 million business than own 100% of a $300,000 business. Many people want to be the boss but you can go further with partners and a team. 

Finding your people is one of the most powerful ways to feel grounded in a new city, and Boston YBP is doing just that for Black professionals in Greater Boston. Through intentional programming, authentic community-building, and accessible resources, YBP is more than just a networking group - it’s a support system, a launchpad, and a space to thrive personally and professionally.

As Ron Daniels shared, creating a welcoming environment isn't just about events, it’s about fostering meaningful relationships and showing up for one another. For Black young professionals navigating career growth, entrepreneurship, or simply looking for community, Boston YBP is proving that Boston can be not only a place to live, but a place to truly belong.

Boston YBP is part of The Startup Directory: Networking Groups. This ongoing list of New England networking groups highlights spaces where you can grow, learn, and be supported.

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About the author: Kathleen Ohlson is a Boston-based content writer with a background as a high-tech reporter and storyteller. With a passion for creating content that resonates with audiences, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.