In planning for life and work after college, one of the most important considerations is to determine where to reside.  Obviously, to a great extent the decision depends on whether you will attend graduate or professional school, or work full-time.  If you have your eyes set on a specific school or a certain employer, there may not be much choice involved.  However, if you have not made definite post-graduate or employment commitments, there’s time to consider relocation options.

Two major metropolitan areas with many attractive features are Minneapolis-St. Paul and Raleigh-Durham.  Brief profiles of each community follow, with emphasis on what should particularly appeal to newly relocated minority residents.

Minneapolis:  Midwestern Charm and Thriving Business

Few Midwestern cities offer the natural beauty, Old World charm, and regional commercial appeal that characterize Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Located in the southeastern part of the state, approximately 360 miles from Chicago, Minneapolis is considered by many to be a prime relocation spot for young professionals who seek a diverse climate, year-around recreational outlets, and a healthy economy.

The appeal for talented minorities is easy to explain, according to Horace Allen, Principal of Total Solutions Group and a member of the Greater Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Allen explains:  “The Twin Cities community offers today’s top talented college graduates of color an opportunity to work in a major metropolitan marketplace with a diverse group of business sectors—medical, technology, banking, manufacturing, engineering, media, etc.  There is no other community in the country that offers the amenities that are normally found in a big city with the friendliness and values of a small town.”

In terms of physical attraction, Minneapolis is known as the “City of Lakes.”  Its 23 lakes and 160 parks contribute to its scenic beauty, as does the Mississippi River, which winds through the city and separates it from St. Paul, its “sister city.”  Encircling greater Minneapolis is the Chain of Lakes, which offers a wide variety of water sports every season of the year.  If you enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, windsurfing or ice skating, there are plenty of such recreational opportunities in and around the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis’ cultural attractions are equally impressive and noteworthy.  Are you a devotee of the visual arts?  Then you will appreciate the Walker Art Center, a world-class facility known for its 20th century American and European art, as well as the 35 other museums that dot the community.  Also noteworthy is the American Swedish Institute, which contains numerous objects d’art that attract many viewers.

Perhaps the theater is your hot button of cultural enjoyment.  According to the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association:  “The Twin Cities feature more theater seats per capita than any other U.S. metropolitan area outside New York.  Large Broadway productions, such as Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Victor/Victoria,’ get their start at the Historic State and Orpheum Theatres in downtown Minneapolis.”

Further enhancing the theater scene is the Guthrie Theater, which has its own resident repertory company.  Additionally, well-attended comedy, ballet and cabaret acts are spotlighted at dozens of smaller entertainment venues.  The rich diversity of such cultural mix means that there is literally “something for everyone.”

Major-league sports are another regional attraction of Minneapolis-St. Paul.  If you’re a baseball fan, the Minnesota Twins will offer a lot of excitement.  Football fans will enjoy supporting the Minnesota Vikings, and basketball fans will rally around the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Along with its physical and cultural charm, Minneapolis boasts a robust economy that welcomes minority businesses and aspiring professionals who are prepared to stake their claim to fame.

The Business Climate

Due to its regional accessibility and appeal, the Twin Cities community has enjoyed business success on a number of different fronts.  Tourism is a mainstay of the economy.  Annually, millions of tourists from the United States and around the world visit the Twin Cities.  Several hundred thousand visitors from Japan alone take advantage of nonstop flights from Osaka, Japan, to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

The Mall of America, located near the Twin Cities, is a primary drawing card.  It is promoted as a self-contained small city—with its own zip code!  According to the Wall Street Journal, the Mall of America attracts more annual visitors than any of the Disney theme parks.

Another hallmark of the area’s economic success is attributed to civic and promotional ties with several other major metropolitan areas:  Memphis and San Jose.    The city fathers (and convention bureaus) of these three metropolises recognize the benefits of linking with, and supporting, Chicago’s convention and business community—which in turn boosts their own economies.

Minneapolis’ appeal to the minority business community has taken on greater significance in the last several years.  In 1997, the National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners held their annual conference in Minneapolis.  The consensus among attendees was that the Twin Cities is an appealing area that offers a healthy climate for African-American business development.

“Since then, there has been a significant escalation in minority-focused events,” mentions Warren McLean, president and CEO of Metropolitan Economic Development Association (a non-profit organization serving over 600 minority firms).  To support this point, he cites the Twin Cities’ hosting in recent years of conventions and conferences of organizations such as the NAACP, the minority lawyers’ association, the Consortium for Graduate Studies in Management, and the National Minority Supply and Development Council.

McLean explains several other factors that contribute to the strength of the business climate. “Minneapolis-St. Paul is fortunate to be headquarters for a number of corporations, which is disproportionate to the size of the community,” he explains.  “This contributes to the healthy economy and positive impact on smaller businesses that are establishing a niche for themselves.”

Another noteworthy development, mentions McLean, is “the partnering of minority- and majority-owned companies in big-ticket, high-profile construction projects.  Two notable projects are the new hockey arena in St. Paul and expansion of the Minneapolis Convention Center.  The civic community views this as a trend toward more sophisticated business alliances that will include a greater proliferation of minority firms working on a grander scale with their non-minority counterparts.”

The educational and political leadership of the community also contributes to the growth and vitality of the business sector.  In particular, both public school superintendents of Minneapolis and St. Paul are African-American women. (By the way, the pupil enrollments of each community are at least 50% minority.)  Furthermore, the mayor of Minneapolis, Sharon Sayles Belton, an African American who has been at the helm since 1993, communicates a vision of continuous economic expansion well into the 21st century.

“Overall, the employment opportunities are endless,” says Horace Allen. “A graduate can come into the Twin Cities with the thought of having a career in finance, only to realize that their passion is in brand management of consumer goods--both of which, and many more career opportunities, are possible in the Twin Cities.”

Three public and seven private colleges and universities provide well-trained graduates for Minneapolis’ business community.  College students relocating to Minneapolis are well served by these institutions should they desire to further their education.

            Advice for New Residents

Relocating to another city is a major move.  What are some ways that African-American graduates can “fit in” the Twin Cities community?

“My best advice would be to focus on your complete personal and professional vision,” states Allen.  To make the most of your living and working experiences, “you will need to have a clear understanding what your vision is in life and the goals that will be required to accomplish that vision.  If you have an open mind and are willing to think outside the normal geographic box (i.e., Atlanta, Chicago or Washington, D.C.), the Twin Cities can be a very rewarding community both personally and professionally.”

Warren McLean offers a specific pragmatic suggestion:  “Attend First Fridays.  This is a popular gathering, mainly of professionals, for social and networking purposes.  Included among them are some highly sophisticated entrepreneurs.

Certainly it never hurts to rub elbows and shoulders with those who are—or will become—the business leaders of the community.

Raleigh-Durham:  Sports and High Tech

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and one of the fastest growing areas in the Southeast for professionals trained in science, engineering, and other technology fields.  To be more specific, Raleigh and its “sister city,” Durham, comprise the largest cities in the metropolitan area known as Research Triangle Park (more about that later).

Situated in the central eastern part of the state, Raleigh is within driving distance to the Atlantic Ocean and to the mountains.  With annual snowfall averaging less than eight inches, and annual average temperature around 70 degrees, Raleigh has a temperate climate that is quite appealing to newly relocated residents.

Nicknamed by the founding fathers as the “City of  Oaks,” Raleigh enjoys natural beauty associated with its well-preserved wooded areas, 150 parks and lakes, and 46 miles of trails.  As commendation for maintaining its historical scenic appeal, Raleigh had the distinction of being named in 1975 the first “Green Survival City” in the nation.

Obviously, golf is a popular sport in Greater Raleigh, which supports over 20 public and semi-private golf courses.  Other year-around outdoor sports of all types add to the recreational appeal of the area.  Whether you like hiking, horseback riding, cycling, saltwater fishing, sailing, or other sports—there’s plenty to do to keep in shape as a new resident of the community.

            Sports and Cultural Attractions

Not only does Raleigh offer the climate and topography for various individual sports; the area is nationally known for its collegiate and professional sports teams.  On the college level, best known is Duke University’s basketball team, the Blue Devils, which consistently earns a place in the NCAA Final Four tournaments.  The sports teams of neighboring colleges (Meredith, Pace, St. Augustine’s), North Carolina State University and Shaw University also draw considerable crowds and add to the impact of sports on the region.

Professional sports abound in the Raleigh-Durham area. The Carolina Mudcats (a class AA baseball affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates) are starting to make a name for themselves.  Similarly, the Raleigh Cougars—a new team that joined the U.S. Basketball League in 1997—have lofty ambitions of many future successful seasons.

If you’re a soccer fan, the Raleigh Capital Express (men) and the Raleigh Wings (women) will certainly provide thrills and excitement throughout the season.  And last fall, Raleigh welcomed into its newly completed entertainment and sports arena the Carolina Hurricanes, a major contender in the National Hockey League.

Another significant recent sports attraction was the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games, held June 26 – July 4.  This renowned event drew to Raleigh-Durham 7,000 athletes from 150 countries and put it on the map for possible future events of international scope and stature.

Cultural attractions abound throughout the community.  Raleigh’s historic Memorial Auditorium is home to the North Carolina Symphony, the North Carolina Theatre and the Carolina Ballet.  If you’re a fan of the performing arts, you will also want to check out the National Opera Company, the Raleigh Little Theatre, and Theatre in the Park.

Greater Raleigh offers a rich variety of visual arts experiences.  Principal art centers and non-profit galleries include the Contemporary Arts Museum, the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Moore Square Arts District, and Artspace—where you can actually watch artists at work in their studios.

 The African-American Cultural Complex features a collection of items that reflect the contribution of Black Americans in the areas of science, sports, business, medicine, politics and the arts.  Additionally, the Complex hopes to one day house a replica of the slave ship “Amistad.”

Mention must also be made of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens.  It is reputed to be the only public park in the United States that is devoted to the legacy of the Civil Rights movement.  Visitors are drawn to a life-size bronze statue of Dr. King, while also enjoying the colorful array of flowers, trees and shrubbery that add to the beauty of this quiet place of reflection.

            The Business Climate

It’s impossible to discuss the business climate of Raleigh-Durham without underscoring the importance of the Research Triangle Park.  The Greater Raleigh Convention & Visitors Bureau explains its influence in this way:

“Many people say RTP acts as the catalyst for technological and medical progress that will propel the country into the 21st century.  It certainly has made a difference in the lives of local residents as well as people around the world.  This dynamic planned research center is one of the largest in the world and is home to research facilities for numerous national and international organizations.”

Research Triangle Park is located 20 minutes from downtown Raleigh and five  minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.  Created in the late 1950s by a consortium of academic, business and industry leaders, today RTP is internationally known as the hub of leading-edge technology in the fields of microelectronics, biotechnology, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals and environmental health sciences.

What constitutes the “brain power” of Research Triangle Park are over 37,000 scientists, engineers, technicians and other personnel who are employed in over 130 private, government and non-profit organizations. The business tenants of RTP comprise a virtual “who’s who” of leading United States corporations.  They include:  Battelle, BASF, Lockheed Martin, Data General Corporation, IBM, Glaxo Wellcome, Inc., and Nortel Networks, to name a few.

Other prominent government organizations are listed on the RTP tenant roster.  Among them:  National Center of Health Statistics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the National Institute for Statistical Sciences. 

What can be said of the African-American business community? “Raleigh-Durham has one of the best minority bases in the Southeast,” states Jerry Fulmer, manager of Supplier Diversity and Business Development with Carolina Power and Light.  To support his claim, he explains that the area is a “virtual magnet for attracting individuals and companies that are the backbone of the high-tech and Research and Development industry in the Southeast.”

Included in this group are highly educated African-American engineers and scientists who work in Research Triangle Park, as well as minority firms that supply subcontract and support services for major corporations such as the RTP tenants.

Additionally, Fulmer points out the educational resources and intellectual climate of Raleigh-Durham have nurtured the expanding population of other minority professionals.  These include prominent doctors, lawyers, educators and financiers.  In fact, Durham has earned the nickname “Black Wall Street” due to its enviable history of spawning ground-breaking minority banking and insurance companies.

Andrea Harris, executive director of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development (NCIMED), shares a similar perspective concerning the growth and vitality of the Black business community.  She comments:  “Black businesses are growing in number, as well as in the variety of goods and services provided.  They are expanding in capacity, in the numbers of individuals they employ, and in the contributions they make to the community.  This, in and of itself, speaks of the whole notion of vitality.  In fact, minority businesses are a vibrant and growing part of the economic landscape throughout the South and throughout the nation.”

Several trends characterize Raleigh-Durham’s minority business community as it moves into the 21st century. “For one thing, there is a stronger alliance of African-American entrepreneurs with Hispanic and Native-American businesses,” mentions Fulmer.  “As a result, more of the Research Triangle Park companies are working with ethnic minority firms; thus everyone benefits from a shared vision of economic development.”

The adage that there’s strength in numbers relates to another important trend.  More minority businesses are working together to amass the capital needed for corporate growth and viability in the marketplace—thanks, in part, to organizations such as NCIMED. As Andrea Harris explains, “We focus on the basics of money, markets and management.  Considering the fact that minorities in general have limited net worth, access to affordable capital is still a number one priority for minority business enterprises.”

By forming strategic partnerships, minority firms can exert greater leverage in dealing with prominent financial institutions.  As a result, they have easier access to acquiring working capital.  This translates into greater buying power and ability to compete with the “mega suppliers” that serve the major corporations.

            Advice for New Residents

Without a doubt, African-American graduates who choose to relocate to Raleigh-Durham will encounter a political, intellectual and business climate that readily supports the advancement of young professionals.  In terms of fitting into the community, nothing beats actual work experience with the companies that set the pace in their given industry.

“That’s why it’s important to get connected early on through internships and other professional associations,” advises Fulmer.  “It helps to get to know the leaders in the minority community and also in the broader business community.”

Harris similarly stresses the necessity of strategic networking and mentoring.  She comments:  “For African-American graduates who are thinking of relocating to this area, I would encourage them to take the whole notion of networking seriously.  There is much value in the statement that people do business with people they know.  People also support those they know.”

Getting to know people is an important part of relocating.   Settling into a new job and community takes time.  But making the right connections early on helps to minimize the anxiety associated with relocation by paving the way for a smooth introduction into the new community.

If you choose Minneapolis-St. Paul or Raleigh-Durham as your new home, you can be certain that the professional “welcome mat” will be facing up.  Selecting either area can be the start of a lengthy and prosperous journey toward career fulfillment.  Good luck!

Calvin Bruce is an Atlanta-based contributing writer who frequently contributes to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine.