Being young, black, and highly educated in a place where no one else is like you for miles around? It sounds like a pretty raw deal to me. But the Young Black Professional Guide asked some people to point out some pros — like quality of living, ethnic (as opposed to racial) diversity, and the ability to set the bar in your chosen profession — to residing in places that don't traditionally have large black professional populations. Read some of the YBP testimonials after the jump.

“The best thing about being a black professional in Iowa is the quality of life. People in Iowa view the state as a nice place to raise families, so family life is valued here. Employers recognize that people have families and, to some extent, encourage a balanced life more than the average employer in big cities. In general, life in Iowa comes without many of the hassles of big cities. There is little traffic, the crime rate is low, and people are generally friendly. Also, the few big-city-type amenities, though certainly fewer in number, are affordable and easier to access. … (The) lack of diversity also tends to bring the few black professional community members closer to each other. Black professionals do not take each other for granted in Iowa. People greet each other on the street, and it is, in a way, easier to introduce yourself to other black professionals when you see them. In fact, it is almost expected in Iowa.”
- Law Professor, 34, Iowa City, Iowa

“You probably get more opportunities to diversify your portfolio outside of your profession because other companies in the area want to tap into your skills on how they can become more diverse, i.e. hire Black folk. You become a de facto consultant, so to speak. In my case, contacts call me often asking very candidly if I know of any talented Black professionals. And these are finance corporations to software companies calling me. The networking scene is on the upside as there are gatherings including the revamped “First Fridays,” and one near-downtown bar has become quite the after-work spot on Friday nights.”
- writer, 36, Minneapolis, Minnesota

“You’re not bound by the title ‘young black professional’ and all the expectations that come with it like you would be in a more diverse city.”
- teacher, 22, Phoenix, Arizona

“I think the best thing about being a black professional here is that you are forced to go outside of your comfort zone and find new and interesting ways to entertain yourself. So I go to plays, eat Dominican food and take daytrips to landmarks in New Hampshire. Instead of being caught up in only what a cohesive black community has to offer, I go to events and functions I probably wouldn’t have discovered or felt the need to find otherwise. Essentially, being in a place with people who don’t look like me has helped me take advantage of all that Rhode Island has to offer.”
- journalist, 23, Providence, Rhode Island

I'm still not sold, having spent a few years of my life in some of these types of places. Granted, I always knew it was a temporary situation and definitely didn't make the best of it. There are obviously good and bad points to living anywhere. I love New York but found myself kind of envying these people for their low cost of living. Hmm. I wonder if there are any blogging opportunities in Boise, ID. Of course, I'm just kidding. Mostly. Do any of you live in a place short on young, black professionals but filled with other great features? Is it worth it? Let me know below.

[YBP]