A Reimagined Boston Where Black People Can Thrive

Boston While Black was founded by Sheena Collier, a natural connector, convener, and strategic planner who moved to the Boston area 17 years ago to attend Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a Black woman, she struggled to feel a sense of belonging at school and in the city. She missed the connection to Black culture and community that she grew up within Albany and when attending school in Atlanta, but didn’t want to leave the new opportunities available to her in Boston. So she began building her community, making connections while learning to navigate the city.

Sheena began building her own community and making connections while learning how to navigate the city. As her network and knowledge grew because they have the spaces, tools, and relationships to find their tribe, grow their network, navigate the city, and have fun.

Find Your Tribe.
Grow Your Network.
Navigate the City.
Have Fun

Since that time, the Boston While Black network has grown to include young professionals, community activists, business leaders, creatives, politicians and some of Boston’s largest employers who all share Sheena’s goal of creating a community where Black people can find each other, network, discover what the city has to offer and have fun.

A Vital Infrastructure for Belonging

The growing network of members communicate through a safe, private online forum where they can share experiences, local business recommendations and professional opportunities.

Making a Space for Black Experiences, Community, and Culture

Events are held regularly and are designed to encourage members to connect, share and have fun. The venues embrace Black culture and community to provide members a place where it’s safe to be authentically themselves.