Published by South Florida's Black Professionals Network PO Box 971372 Boca Raton, Florida 33497 Our Mission is to connect and engage South Florida's Black professional community. Our Vision is to build bridges between our Network and the business community through our networking and marketing resources.
Put the Power of Our Network to Work For You! With over 15,000 local professionals, business owners and college students in our database and thousands more on our social media platforms, South Florida's Black Professionals Network boasts direct access to the widest range of educated and affluent black professionals in, from and interested with the region.
Greetings! One of the good reasons I moved to South Florida was to start having more fun. It's not that I didn't have a lot of it in Oregon, but it wasn't the kind of fun I grew up with. So I wouldn't have as much of it as I could have. And that's why a lot of Black folk don't stay there. Most people think of fun as something that's optional or a luxury. They don't realize that activities and events targeting black people serve more of a purpose than they think .. until they're gone. But they're not only good for your mental and emotional health, they're also good for your relationships. Not even homebodies like homebodies! And for all the reasons there are for being home alone, there are far more for getting out and having fun. It isn't all too expensive, or too dangerous, or too far. You don't always feel too tired. You don't have to be boo'd up, and you don't even have to have a friend. In fact, you can actually have more fun if you don't! Because there are plenty of resources for professionals seeking mature, and high cost experiences and opportunities, we try to feature those that are lesser known, less expensive and family friendly. Likewise, we try to feature advertisers who either look like us or who want to do business with us. Hopefully, it helps you in your pursuit of fun and your efforts to uplift our community. -- Baraka Sasa!
Ken W. Burrough CEO & Publisher
Expand Reach, Engagement and Influence with South Florida's Black Professionals
Highlight Your Company's Diversity Values
Recruit Diverse Talent!
South Florida's Black Professionals Network is a Certified Minority Business Enterprise
“Be prepared to sacrifice, and work harder than you’ve ever thought possible. Be prepared to work around the clock, to be laughed at, called a dreamer, and to be told several times that your ideas will not work.” Nkemdilim Begho
Exhibiting @ Miami's
Small Business Expo Days after exhibiting at Miami's Small Business Expo last month, the emails and phone calls are still coming in! Hosted in the Symphony Ballroom of Miami's Downtown Hilton Hotel, the event offered South Florida's Black Professionals Network and other Black businesses the opportunity to not only pitch their benefits, but to show evidence. Member and client, Michael Allison, CEO of Groomed and Tailored was invited to exhibit along side us as hundreds of attendees passed by throughout the day. As the founder of a business targeting grooms who are looking to look and feel their best on that special day, Groomed and Tailored seemed to impress a lot of ladies mostly, and make the men frown! Maybe the most profitable takeaway of the day was the diversity of attendees who stopped by to talk and share with us. They were young and old, male and female, Black, White and Brown. As the only two Black men standing together in a booth, some seemed to be curious, and others appeared sincerely interested. Interacting with them all turned out to be not only challenging, but educational, inspiring and well worth the time and effort. Overall, we can hardly wait to exhibit again when the Small Business Expo returns in 2023!
Want Your Event or Business Reviewed? CONTACT US AT CONNECT@SFBPNETWORK.COM
“The reality is that our competitors have always outspent us, but we’ve still executed better than them. Hence, I’m sure money is not the sole determinant factor of providing a better service or product." Nnamdi Chineme
"The men who succeed are the efficient few – they are the few who have the ambition and willpower to develop themselves. So choose to be among the few today.” Chris Kirubi
Going
Farm to Table We get invited to a lot of events and venues. And few have been as highly anticipated as our Farm to Table Experience hosted last month in Loxahatchee on Charmed Life Farm and the Riviera Beach Urban Farm. All I had thought South Florida was about until then was tourism and alligators. We not only gained a whole new appreciation for farmers, fresh food and the cyle of life, but the tremendous amount of money and jobs Florida's agriculture industry contributes to the economy. We also learned about the Urban Farm's efforts to "ensure access to fresh produce for those in underserved communities and create systems of sustainable agriculture." The events provided much more than an education though. The networking was great also. In fact, the diversity of the guests and the venues made the experience that much better, and it reinforces my personal belief that food can not only be used to heal individuals, but communities! As far as the food goes, everything was farm fresh at both the Brunch and Dinner, including the fruit infused Mimosas! However, it was the Candied Bacon and Elderberry Syrup over Creme Brulee French Toast with homemade Whipped Cream that changed my life! I didnt get to picture everything but the photo collage helps fill in some blanks!
"I am guided each day by these three questions: ‘What are you fixing?’ ‘What are you making?’ and ‘Who are you helping?" Juliana Rotich
Request Your Free Phone Screening
221 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd. (786) 770-9480
Escape to
Hollywood Beach The great escape for this month is Hollywood Beach, Florida, known for its one-of-a-kind "Broadwalk", a palm tree-lined brick promenade with tiki bars, seafood eateries, motels, and hotels that stretches nearly 2½ miles along the ocean. Also close by is a bandshell that hosts free concerts from time to time, as well as the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. There are a few other luxury resorts within walking distance also, but choose a beachfront motel with a pool right off the Broadwalk if you're into great people watching! You'll want to be outside most of the time anyway. For an upscale experience, visit a local resort for dinner and drinks one evening! Some have nightly entertainment too! If you're travelling light, and you're up for it, park your car in one of the garages in Downtown Hollywood and hop on the Sun Stop for a $1 to get there. It adds another dimension to the experience! Otherwise, parking could be challenging. A few activities to choose from after you get settled in include skating, cycling, strolling, or pedaling buggies along the Broadwalk. You could also rent jet skis or go parasailing. And if you dare, the FlowRider® Double, one of the most sought after surfing simulator experiences in the world is also open to the public! Lastly, hop back on the Sun Stop and take it back into Downtown for an evening! It's a top attraction also that you won't want to miss!
South Florida's Black Professionals Network is honored to be featured among Discover The Palm Beaches, Black-Owned Group Tourism Businesses!
"In today’s world, paradoxically, it is the boldest action that is often the safest. Remaining where you are in a world that is changing so rapidly is, in fact, the most dangerous of all places to be in." Hakeem Belo-Osagie
“I don’t think there is anything more difficult to handle than success. I think success is harder to handle than failure. In failure you wallow, you just cry and life goes on. Success has to be sustained and it is harder to sustain than to get it." Joanne Mwangi
“Don’t scratch your head saying there is no financing. With what you have, what can you do to achieve your goal? Investors like people who have taken that initiative.” Heshan de Silva
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” Maya Angelou
"Where else in the world but America, could I have lived in the worst neighborhoods, attended the worst schools, rode in the back of the bus, and get paid $5,000 a week just for talking about it?" Dick Gregory
Eating @
Chili Crab I was heart broken when I discovered the last Black owned BBQ restaurant in the area had closed down. And I still am. However, the good news is that Troy's now has 2 locations .. even though each is further away! So, for months I wondered what would come along to take it's place. Well, I found out recently .. and in my opinion, it's a win-win! I have to travel a little further for my Q now, but I don't have to go far at all for some of the best Asian food I've tasted since I moved to South Florida! I can't vouch for everything on the menu but even the Fried Rice was tastier. I didn't order the Chili Crab this trip, but it is on the list. Instead, I was so excited to see Halibuit on the menu that I zeroed in on it. And it was excellent! My client ordered the San Cheng Chili Chicken (in the middle) and let me tell you, it was out of this world! But you've got to love it spicy!! They could probably tone it down if you ask. Each dish comes a la carte so be prepared to share! I found the service very prompt and friendly and the ambience was nice. They also have an outside patio and plenty of parking. The only reason I'd hesitate to recommend Chili Crab is because I don't want to wait too long for my order in the future, but I also want them be around for a while, so give them I try. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
"When I hear people talk about juggling, or the sacrifices they make for their children, I look at them like they're crazy, because 'sacrifice' infers that there was something better to do than being with your children." Chris Rock
Are You
Getting Enough
Fun?
You should be! You live in South Florida for Heaven's sake! In spite of the high cost of living, there are way too many things to do .. for free .. for anyone not to be having fun. We try to feature some of them here each month. Some are even targeted towards the introverts and friendless. If you attend them, there's a chance you might make a friend! In any case, it's up to you to make sure you're programming enough fun into your life, for your own mental health. While the effects of fun cannot be measured, the "experts" agree that it's good for you. But what kind of fun? Group fun seems to be a no brainer, unless you're hanging around the wrong group. But for those of us who are solo and like to be on the go, it can be challenging. So I Googled some ways to have fun alone and the best one to me was, "Get Involved In a Cause". Whether it's a social, business or a personal cause, causes can stir up your passion and drive. They can also help you find people with things in common. And that's not only the essence of fun, but that's what attracts others! So go get yourself some fun today! No excuses!
South Florida's Black Professionals Network is a proud partner of ICABA, a member-based, global business network assisting professionals and entrepreneurs of color to attain their career, business and lifestyle aspirations.
"I don't normally talk about my religion publicly because I don't want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing." Dave Chappelle
"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." Nelson Mandela
Our Advertisers Ads are Viewed
The Entire Month!