Meetup organizers build community and create connections between different groups of people around the world. Join Shakayra Stern (organizer of The Mixed Girl Meetup Group New York, Los Angeles, & London) and Ariana King (organizer of Meetup’s Employee Resource Group Meetup in Color) for a conversation on how they provide a safer space, support their members, and build community with people of different and similar backgrounds. Learn how to navigate through tough conversations, about the power of healing through listening and sharing, and how to create a framework that promotes education through participation.
Main Takeaways:
- Shakayra : People who have joined my events, we’ve all gone through similar experiences despite us being in different geographical locations. I grew up thinking I’m alone with my thoughts and what I’m going through. It’s incredibly therapeutic to know you have something in common with someone else and you don’t even know them.
- Ariana: A safe space doesn’t necessarily mean that People of Color show up. Meetup in Color is a company group. You come to learn our perspective and help us celebrate the things that make us different. We make that possible by ensuring everyone feels okay being vulnerable and protected in that space.
- How do you ensure that your group’s atmosphere stays positive/safe?
- Shakayra: I have a set of housekeeping that I go through at the beginning of events. I’m holding space for those people who maybe never had someone or a group where they could express themselves. That’s my main job as a hostess, to make sure everyone feels encouraged and acknowledge the people speaking up.
- Ariana: Staying focused on yourself as an organizer and understanding what you came for and committing to that intention is really important. Like Shakayra said there has to be ground rules. Set expectations really clearly.
Instead of asking, “what do you think of this situation?”, ask a question more along the lines of, “how were you impacted by the situation?”
Top Q&A Questions and Resources:
- How do you start to create engagement around Employee Resource Groups?
- Ariana: Consistency is the thing. We have a monthly open forum but we also throw parties. We have fun and there’s an educational element somewhere. When you’re at work sometimes it can be tiring. So having some respite that incorporates education is how we got most Meetup employees to learn about our group.
- Have you found there’s a participant number of people that’s best for a good connection?
- Shakayra: I find that once it gets to 30 people, especially if it’s in person, it gets tricky for everyone to have a say. At around 15 people, if you have a 2-hour event, everyone will have a chance to talk and not feel rushed.
- Ariana: I think it depends on the kind of event. If we’re talking about a party where there’s information to be gleaned independently, have at it. If it’s more of an intimate conversation, I think 10 people is really a healthy volume.
- Any icebreaker tips?
- Shakayra: I have flashcards with questions or statements. I give each person a card randomly and the person comments on the flashcard.
- Ariana: We do have icebreaker questions, but I know at least one person in the audience who will answer my question for me. I say, “This is the question. If it goes silent can you back me up here?”
Additional Resources
- Communities for Black Justice and Equity is an organizer-led network of Meetup groups. Their groups share a mission of elevating Black voices and experiences, helping to end racial injustice, and continuing conversations about racism. Organizers who are accepted to the network will have their organizer subscription subsidized by Meetup. Sign up here to start your own group.
- Shakayra shares more tips on the Meetup blog article: Attracting the Right Audience.
- Shakayra’s books:
Last modified on June 23, 2021
