By Matthew W.

If you are new to interracial dating, you’re probably wondering how to meet those of the opposite gender. Let’s talk today about innovative ways to meet people. Christelyn Karazin’s Beyond Black and White community, of course, is an excellent place to start getting ideas on how to meet your interracial partner. And here, I am talking about active participation in some of her great posts on the Beyond Black and White blog, the Beyond Black and White Facebook page, and the private Beyond Black and White Google Plus group (there have already been a few success stories).

As Christelyn says, you have to “get yourself out there” if you want to meet the person of your dreams (that means some physical time away from your computer, too). There is no better place to do that than in a welcoming environment where you know people are interested. Therefore, I have a couple of other suggestions for the Beyond Black and White community to consider when meeting folks of the opposite gender (one is online and the other is offline). First, make sure you join the Beyond Black and White Forums.  Second, become an active participant in an interracial dating meetup group.

First, as I previously stated, the Beyond Black and White Forums are a place where you can meet other interesting singles in a private, safe, welcoming environment. You pay a nominal fee – and you can interact with other singles. While the forums are still in their infancy, increased active participation is coming – and well worth your time and money.

Second, as I also previously stated – make sure you become an active participant in an interracial dating meetup group (the kind where you leave cyberspace and physically meet people). These are the types of environments where you know going in that people are interested in dating interracially – there’s no mystery here. I live in Alexandria, VA (e.g. the DMV – DC/MD/VA area) and can provide two really good suggestions:

• Interracial Dating Friends and Lovers (DC, MD, VA) – Interracial Dating Friends and Lovers – DC, MD, VA (IDF&L DMV) is an interracial dating meetup group that originates out of Baltimore, MD. IDF&L DMV is owned and operated by Marie.  As the meetup group spans a very large area (from Northern Virginia to the northern suburbs of Baltimore, MD), IDF&L DMV events take place in all three states. Events, such as happy hours, house parties, casino visits, brunches, museum day trips, cookouts, bowling, and host of other activities are common in this group. Marie and the rest of the group members are very welcoming of new members.

• Interracial Dating and Social Connections (IDSocialConnect) – IDSocialConnect is the largest interracial dating meetup group on Meetup.com.  IDSocialConnect is owned and operated by Chasta.  IDSocialConnect events are largely concentrated in Washington, DC and the closer Washington, DC suburbs (like Bethesda, MD, Arlington, VA, and Alexandria, VA). Events, such as happy hours, brunches, dinners, movies, museum day trips, and a host of other activities are common in this group.

Obviously, if you don’t live close to Washington, DC, there are other similar meetup groups in other parts of the country (or the world). Check Meetup.com for similar groups (or set one up of your own). The point, again, with these meetup groups is that you’re generally walking into a captive environment – an environment where you know that people are interested and open to the prospect of interracial dating and relationships. That’s a good thing, right?  No mystery here. 😉

In closing, I encourage you to participate in the Beyond Black and White Forums – and checkout an interracial dating meetup group.  Get yourself out there – and meet some people – you never know what you will find.