• October 13, 2008

My Black Networks, LLC has launched a new portal site, The MyBlack Urban Vertical http://www.myblacknetworks.com/.

The site aims to bring together the fragmented state of data that is culturally relevant to its target markets of African, African-American and Caribbean communities or the African Diaspora.

Currently, social media and networks that target blacks tend to focus primarily on casual topics such as entertainment, dating, celebrity news and gossip. MBN instead is focusing on other niche markets that are somewhat ignored by mainstream media and are seeking online resources consistent with more serious pursuits such as business, finance and health.

The first phase of the launch includes unique Web sites for 20 cities with large African-American populations. Each site includes the MyBlack brand and offers relevant national and local news; a black-owned business directory; small business resource center; a wealth-building section; an events section; and special interest areas for lifestyle, health and romance. Each city's site is accessible from the portal and is also connected to a shared social networking platform.

Eventually, MBN plans to expand to include over 200 major cities around the globe from within the U.S., Africa, Brazil, Canada, the Caribbean, and Europe.--Tanya Irwin