David Chipfupa moved to Manchester from Berkshire four years ago seeking a change of lifestyle, but found himself professionally isolated working remotely in technology sales. Unable to find a dedicated networking space for black professionals in the city, the 37-year-old entrepreneur decided to create one.

"I didn't really see a space where black professionals could network," Chipfupa said. "There were events but there wasn't really a community in Manchester."

How Afrosocial began

Chipfupa and a friend started an Instagram page in 2024 to connect with like-minded professionals in Manchester. The initial goal was simple: find others looking to build community and share information about local events.

"We created the platform because we needed to find somewhere where people could congregate and come together," Chipfupa explained. "If we saw different events we wanted to go to we would post about them."

What began as a single meet-up has grown into Afrosocial, which now has more than 4,000 members. The network has expanded internationally, reaching Australia, Dubai, South Africa and the United States.

From community to events

Chipfupa noticed a gap between the community he had built and the professional events available to members. "We realised there weren't that many events to post and maybe we should start doing events of our own," he said.

The network now organises its own activities, including pilates, golf, hiking and padel. Chipfupa said this approach creates a more welcoming environment than traditional networking events.

"People are more willing to connect with people that they have something in common with," he noted. "If people have nothing in common, it's always very difficult — sometimes the networking might feel like a drag or forced. I felt like we could create a different culture at events to suit our demographic."

The wider impact

Chipfupa said isolation is a significant barrier for many people entering professional networks, whether they have recently moved to Manchester or relocated from abroad. Afrosocial aims to address this by creating an inclusive environment.

"Afrosocial is about celebrating achievements within your community, celebrating positivity and also encouraging people and helping them out," Chipfupa said. The network has become what he described as "a celebration of black success and black excellence every day."