BLK launches Events feature to bring Black singles together IRL

Tinder's recent introduction of an IRL Events feature has inspired another Match Group-owned app, BLK, to launch a similar initiative. BLK, a dating app catering to Black singles with over 13 million downloads, is now offering Events in 29 American cities starting today. This follows a successful summer-long test in Atlanta. Corinne Harris, director of brand marketing at Match Group, revealed that Black singles often meet through community, and the company's Events feature aims to facilitate in-person meetings while alleviating the pressure on users.

Harris noted that community is crucial for Black singles, and Events addresses their desire to meet in person but lack of guidance on how to do so. The app is designed to ease this process by providing a platform for users to find nearby events, invite friends, add them to their calendars, and connect with other attendees before, during, and after the event. Users can also match with others attending the event through BLK.

According to a recent survey, 60% of BLK singles prefer meeting someone in shared spaces, while 70% feel lonely and don't know where to go to meet people. With the launch of Events in major cities such as Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C, and Miami, BLK users will have the opportunity to engage with the app outside of their usual online interactions. Early data from the Atlanta test suggests a positive reception, as 65% of eligible active users have engaged with the Events feature.