COMMUNITY IS EVERYTHING💪🏽✨
(PART 1) The power of networking >> life long connections
Before I moved to New York in 2021, I had only ever lived in my home town for most of my life. And, everyone always asks what made me want to move across the world, so here’s the tea: In 2018, I had met a guy who was based here, and long-story-short: after a few years of dating, I decided to move to the US (for Grad school) so we could be together. COVID hit, and we broke up right after I had paid my admission fee and requested a 12 month deferment. There was no way I was going to drop my plans, so I moved anyway - alone, with not one friend in the city.
That’s when my love affair with the people of New York began, one community at a time.
In the last 4 weeks, I’ve attended at least 10-12 IRL events, expanded my LinkedIn network by at least 200 people, and ended up with genuine connections that will last a lifetime. Some of these connections are with peers and colleagues, but some are with people in totally different universes — I just had coffee with an angel investor today — and they’re all going to play an equally important role in my journey.
Good girls don’t gatekeep, so I’m giving you a full lowdown on all the communities I know about (shoutout to the friends who helped add to this list — coming through in Part 2) in NYC and beyond.
1. Hue💪🏽💪🏾💪🏿
For: BIPOC marketers and creatives; a safe space for BIPOC individuals to connect, share their experiences, and collaborate on projects.
Where: Slack + Member-led IRL meet ups
Bonus: They also have a jobs board!
How to Join: Visit https://www.wearehue.org, or email jobs@wearehue.org if you are a company that wants to hire BIPOC
2. Saturday App👋🏼
For: Anyone looking to meet new friends and explore new activities IRL. Lots of operators, Founders, and investors from Tech, Biz, and Marketing.
Where: App + Member-led IRL ‘hangouts’
How to Join: Download the app at https://link.getsaturday.com/PbJ6Papekyb
3. The co-lab🤝
For: People in fashion and beauty adjacent industries; especially if you’re looking for mentorship, job opportunities, or IRL events at Fashion stores all over NYC and LA.
Where: Slack + IRL events
How to Join: Visit https://www.jointhecolab.com
4. Palor Social Club🍷
For: Anyone looking to meet new people and explore cultural activities in NYC. Lots of free art gallery activations, panel discussions, and access to third-party ticketed events.
Where: App + IRL events
Bonus: Highly curated group, with exclusive Premium member programming.
How to Join: Visit https://parlor.social and download the app
5. Elpha👩🏽💻
For: Women at work
Where: Website
Bonus: Jobs board, salary range posts, and AMA’s with C-suite execs.
How to Join: Visit https://elpha.com/invitations/from-ilinaluthra
6. CEW💄
For: Anyone in the beauty industry, or trying to break into the beauty industry
Where: Website (it’s not the best interface) + IRL events (make up for the outdated UX)
Bonus: It’s expensive, but if you can get your company to sponsor membership, you get access to Execs and programming from the biggest and best Beauty companies.
How to Join: Visit https://eweb.cew.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?WebCode=signuplanding&site=CEW2017
7. Leave Your Mark👯♀️👯♀️
For: Early career professionals > 15 years of work experience; also great if you’re switching career paths.
Where: Slack + loads of digital events
Bonus: Aliza Licht is the most fierce Brand expert out there, and LYM gets you direct access to mentorship from her, as well as an incredible network of peer support.
How to Join: Sign up at https://alizalicht.com/community.
8. The Beauty Social💄
For: Brand founders and leaders in the beauty industry, including those in the communications, digital, influencer, and PR spaces.
Where: Monthly IRL events in NYC
Bonus: Stacey and Lauren are amazing cheerleaders!
How to Join: Follow hosts Stacey Levine and Lauren Ludlow on LinkedIn, so you can sign up for their next event.
9. StartUp CPG📈
For: Founders, operators, and investors in the CPG industry.
Where: Slack
Bonus: Great for sourcing vendors and facilitators, from a network of small business owners.
How to Join: Visit https://startupcpg.com.
10. The Z-List🎟
For: Start-Up founders, operators, and investors looking for IRL networking and panels.
Where: Zehra’s Newsletter
Bonus: A ‘Besties’ Events’ section for events hosted by others in the startup universe + newsletter recommendations.
How to Join: Subscribe to the newsletter on https://thezlist-irl.beehiiv.com/subscribe
TO BE CONTINUED….
If you have any other communities that you are enrolled in or are building yourself, please email me and lmk! I’d be happy to pitch in with Marketing / helping create brand awareness and referrals.
Please feel free to comment with your favourite communities💘