Network 'a celebration of black success every day'

After struggling to find a network for black entrepreneurs, a Manchester-based businessman said he decided to start his own.

David Chipfupa moved from Berkshire four years ago for a change of lifestyle.

But the 37-year-old said working remotely in technology sales soon left him feeling professionally isolated.

"I didn't really see a space where black professionals could network," he said. "There were events but there wasn't really a community in Manchester. Now our community is a celebration of black success and black excellence every day."

Since Chipfupa founded Afrosocial in 2024 the network now has more than 4,000 members and has reached Australia, Dubai, South Africa and the United States.

Everything began through one meet-up.

"I wasn't going to the office and it was isolating," David told the BBC.

"So I was looking a place to meet and connect with like-minded people.

"Finding other black professionals who wanted to start businesses wasn't easy, but there was a yearning for this type of conversation, this type of space."

Chipfupa and a friend decided to start an Instagram page to find others like them in Manchester who were looking to join a community.

"We created the platform because we needed to find somewhere where people could congregate and come together," he explained.

"It was just organic.

"If we saw different events we wanted to go to we would post about them."

Chipfupa said he noticed a "disconnect" between the community he had created and the types of professional events on offer.

"We realised there weren't that many events to post and maybe we should start doing events of our own," he said.

"People are more willing to connect with people that they have something in common with.

"And if people have nothing in common, it's always very difficult - sometimes the networking might feel like a drag or forced.

"I felt like we could create a different culture at events to suit our demographic."

"I think feeling isolated can be a really big factor in needing a network like this," Chipfupa said of starting his Manchester meet-ups.

"Whether that is isolated moving to a new city or professionally.

"Some people might have moved to Manchester from a different part of the UK, or from abroad, so there's layers to how isolated they feel.

"But they're made to feel welcome regardless, and being part of a network gives people the opportunity to get involved in the community through sharing their experience.

"Afrosocial is about celebrating achievements within your community, celebrating positivity and also encouraging people and helping them out."

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