Speed Networking at Harwood 609

NBMBAA-DFW and Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Dallas

The DFW Chapter of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA-DFW) joined with the Urban League of Greater Dallas Young Professionals (ULGDYP) to host a Speed Networking Happy Hour at Harwood 609 in Dallas. This event was more than a generic night of “meeting and greeting.” It educated the attendees on how to properly convey their personal brand and how to gain new contacts through concise, purposeful conversation.

“We wanted to provide a value-added experience to the members of both organizations,” said Glenda Cheatham,NBMBAA-DFW secretary and the session facilitator for the evening. "We wanted it to be timely and relevant. In today's economy, over 50-percent of job landings happen through networking”

For Cheatham, the event was a necessity and turned out to be a successful one. “Many of our members are neophytes at purposeful networking. We wanted to provide foundational tools to help them progress and be successful," she explained.

This social training event was open to any working adult over the age of 18. It is something to be practiced in a safe setting so that when the opportunity comes, the result will be a true business contact.

The National Black MBA Association seeks to offer programs that members can use to enhance their opportunities for a successful career or business venture. Networking is a skill used daily in various environments and for different purposes. It can yield positive results when used correctly.

“One of the best benefits is that the members now have a skill that can be used in every aspect of their career,” said Cheatham. "In addition to making purposeful connections were we support each others' goals, it strengthens our community and society in general."