ABOUT ETHNIC ONLINE
Why Ethnic Online
By Mike Bruny Contributing Editor
I caught up with Leonard Webb, Executive Director of The Professionals Connection (TPC) and asked him about his latest project, Ethnic Online: New England’s Magazine for Ethnic Professionals. The primary question was—and I’m sure you’re thinking the same thing—Why Ethnic Online? “
Ethnic Online is a quarterly online magazine created to showcase and connect Ethnic Professionals in New England (NE used moving forward). It’s bigger than just trying to connect people who look alike in the African American, Latino and Asian communities. It’s about bringing together positive, like minded professionals who share similar values toward personal and professional growth.”
To get a better understanding of where Leonard wants to take his audience with Ethnic Online it’s important to take a look at what inspired him to create the online magazine in the first place. Leonard, originally from Boston, is a connector and creator. That was evident when he moved to MetroWest Massachusetts. He noticed that he would see and meet Ethnic Professionals as he was out during the day, but after work, he could not find a location to connect and share ideas with those same individuals. Leonard decided to pull some people together and start a networking event that would fill the void. As the host of the networking event, he greeted his guest and learned about the different “gems” that where coming to his events. Inspired by the people he met he wrote a weekly e-profile article called, Ethnic Gems of the Week.
It was an instant success and he shared the success story of Richard Covington—one of many stories on how Ethnic Gems of the Week benefited his network. “Richard Covington was the only African American who owned a car dealership on Cape Cod. After I wrote an Ethnic Gem article about him, I was contacted by the, Director of Minority Procurement for the State of Massachusetts. After reading the article she decided to offer Richard an RFP (Request for Proposal) for Massachusetts state trooper vehicles. Needless to say that was the start of a great working relationship.” This was only one of many stories that served as an inspiration to create Ethnic Online.
Expand your value by expanding your network!
New England has much to offer for Ethnic Professionals and presents a unique world of opportunities. The goal is to take advantage of the many resources from Stamford, CT to Portland, ME and everything in between by simply traveling route 95 that connects the New England states. Or from Providence, RI to Nashua, NH if there’s perceived value!! Did you know that the state of Maine has a chapter of the NAACP and is very active in the area? The point is “like minded professionals” are everywhere in New England In talking with “like minded professionals” they don’t mind traveling from Boston to New Haven, CT…….if there’s perceived value!! , we just need to know where to go and what to do….and they will go. So if you’re taking advantage of the incredible sites and vacation spots that New England has to offer, attending a social event, experiencing a new restaurant or attending a professional’s development event “expand your value by expanding your network” by reaching out and connecting with “like minded professionals” in the area, you’ll be pleasantly surprised how open and welcoming people will be! Ethnic Online is your conduit!
Why Ethnic Online? Leonard is looking forward to changing the perception of NE as a place lacking Ethnic Professionals of value and a cold place to do business. Leonard’s work has shown us that Ethnic Professionals of value are in NE, although spread out geographically. Leonard also plans to use Ethnic Online to recruit and keep Ethnic Professionals in NE. A limited number of printed copies will be available at various colleges and serve as a recruiting tool. “The thought is that a student will read a feature on one of the professionals and say, ‘this person looks like me, had a similar major and they are doing well in NE. Maybe I should consider working in NE’.” Ethnic Online will also have information on all professional and social events taking place in NE.
When Ethnic Professionals start working in NE, they will be provided the tools to build a social and professional community for growth and support. Leonard demonstrated the need for the service with this story, “I received a phone call from someone who was forwarded a TPC email about an upcoming event. The caller works in Natick, is new to the area, and didn’t know where to go or what to do once they left work. I was able to serve as a resource and point them in the right direction.” Being a resource is what Ethnic Online is all about.
What aspirations does Leonard Webb have for Ethnic Online in the future? He would like it to be the medium of choice for Ethnic Professionals seeking resources, whether it’s people or events. Leonard also sees the magazine being the primary source for businesses that are looking to recruit and do business with Ethnic Professionals in the New England.
Leonard left me with one guarantee. “You are guaranteed to be inspired, motivated or educated by someone or something you read about in Ethnic Online: New England’s Magazine for Ethnic Professionals.”
