LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Networking mixers aren't so unusual among professionals and other social groups, but this one near Atlanta has an unexpectedly Saturday Night Live-like vibe.
"Come Meet a Black Person" is a real event being held Thursday night in honor of an organization called Urban Mediamakers celebrating its 16th anniversary.
"In the black community, we know of white people who don't have a lot of black friends," founder Cheryle Moses told CNN. "But still, seeing a statistic about it just opened our eyes."
Have you heard about our event? Are you coming? We'd love to have you! https://t.co/iFo2dC4Cy6
— Urban Mediamakers (@UMFF) November 15, 2017
Data from the Public Religion Research Institute shows that 75 percent of white Americans don't have a single nonwhite friend. Likewise, the study showed that 65 percent of African-Americans don't have any white friends. Inspiration for the event struck Moses when she saw those figures.
"Because with the divisive and racist atmosphere of this country, we want to do something to positively challenge the negativity," the event organizers wrote on their Facebook page.
The event will include introductions, a scavenger hunt, food, drinks and giveaways for $15. Members get a $5 discount. Proceeds benefit the Young Urban Mediamakers program for teenagers.
"It's a great opportunity to start relationships," Moses told CNN. "And if you have a relationship with somebody, you are inclined to treat them like yourself. If you don't have that relationship, then you'll only treat them based upon what you may have seen or read somewhere."
Read more at the event's Facebook page here.
