- BLK Events lets users discover curated gatherings, reserve spots, and connect with attendees through the app.
- Research shows 70% of singles feel lonely and 60% prefer meeting people in culturally welcoming spaces.
- The platform welcomes non-romantic social connections like yoga classes and coffee meetups, reducing dating pressure.
BLK is giving Black singles another reason to get outside, and this time, finding a connection doesn’t have to start with a swipe.
On Tuesday, October 13, the dating and social app welcomed media and creators to Black-owned Los Angeles restaurant Alta Adams for an intimate evening celebrating BLK Events, a new in-app feature designed to help users discover local experiences and connect beyond the screen.
The setting was fitting. Guests mingled over Alta Adams’ soulful offerings, including crab cakes, spicy beef tartar, crispy potatoes, and steak skewers cooked to perfection, while the open bar kept whistles wet.
A signature lemon drop served in a custom BLK cup added a nice touch, and attendees didn’t leave empty-handed. They were given a gift bag featuring a deliciously scented candle from The Noble Brand.
Between conversations, creators captured content and made new connections, reflecting the very idea behind the launch: sometimes the easiest way to meet people is simply to be in the same room.
The Events feature allows users to discover curated gatherings, reserve spots, invite friends, and communicate with other attendees through the app.
According to BLK’s research, nearly 70% of singles surveyed reported feeling lonely, while six in 10 said they didn’t know where to go to meet people. Another 60% expressed a preference for meeting potential connections in spaces where their culture already gathers.
For Amber Cooper, BLK’s Senior Manager of Brand Marketing, the Events feature is a direct response to what the community has been asking for.
“We like to meet our users where they’re at. We like to hear them, and we like to create solutions for them,” Cooper told BOSSIP. “We curated this experience in-app for our users,” she added, explaining that the platform aims to make finding welcoming, low-pressure social experiences easier.
Cooper explained that the platform is responding to a desire for more accessible social experiences that don’t necessarily revolve around romance. Whether it’s a yoga class, coffee meetup, or another shared interest, the idea is to make meeting people feel less intimidating.
Despite its dating app roots, the platform isn’t treating every social interaction as a potential romance.
“Some people are more ready for a romantic connection than others. If you’re not, that’s okay. You’re still welcomed here,” she said.
The launch is also part of BLK’s larger cuffing season campaign, which includes Cuffing Season 101, a digital comedy series starring social media creator Zoe Spencer.
- EP 1: History Class (Oct 27): Explores the history of cuffing season, noting how it logged on Urban Dictionary in 2011, hit mainstream through Fabolous in 2013, and entered the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
- EP 2 (Oct): Scouting Report: A rapid-fire pop-quiz style episode tackling green flags versus red flags, teaching singles to focus on consistency rather than superficial traits.
- EP 3 (Nov): The Talking Stage: Breaks down the ambiguity of talking stages, encouraging daters to move past endless texting and say what they mean.
- EP 4 (Dec): Roster Management: Addresses the illusion of juggling multiple connections, highlighting how holiday milestones act as natural relationship filters.
- EP 5 (Jan): Field Trip: Emphasizes that apps can’t cover the last ten feet, guiding singles on planning simple, low-pressure first dates with clear exits.
- EP 6 (Feb): Finals: Closes out the season on Valentine’s Day by asking whether a connection is genuinely cuffed or simply convenient.
The series tackles modern dating dilemmas through a classroom-inspired sitcom, while a separate community-voted ranking highlights the best neighborhoods for Black singles to connect. Houston’s Third Ward claimed the top spot, followed by Chicago’s Hyde Park and Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy.
Together, the initiatives reflect BLK’s approach to making dating less about endlessly browsing profiles and more about finding meaningful connections through community.
Maybe the most convincing endorsement of the intention of the Events feature is that I myself met a few dope attendees, exchanged information, and have plans to hang out in a group setting for bowling and karaoke.
No romantic expectations, no awkward introductions, just a few cool Black people finding common ground over a good night out.
Turns out, going outside still works.
