Black love, particularly Black romantic love, is a robust celebration of resilience, pleasure and connection that transcends the hardships confronted by our communities. It’s an attractive tapestry woven from shared historical past, tradition and experiences that affirm our existence and power.
For our individuals, showcasing Black love—together with the LGBT+ group—serves as an important reminder that love is multifaceted and deserving of visibility. It highlights the significance of illustration, permitting us to see ourselves within the tales and relationships that form all our narratives that problem stereotypes, dismantle societal norms and encourage future generations to embrace their identities unapologetically.
In a world that always tries to erase us, celebrating all types of Black love isn’t just an act of defiance; it’s a technique to honor our fact and foster a way of belonging for everybody throughout the spectrum of our wealthy, various identities.
Meet the 9 {couples} gracing EBONY’s February 2025 Love In Colour Difficulty, captured by photographer Tayo Kuku Jr.
Ashley & Anthony
Age: 34 and 36Relationship standing: Married
Anthony Prince, movie director and photographer, and Ashley Cimone Leslie, proprietor of Ashya, a bag model, didn’t begin with some grand, rom-com worthy second. It was a vibe, a sense, an vitality that pulled them collectively throughout a crowded room throughout Vogue’s Night time Out. The creatives are normally the very best costume couple within the room, they usually have distinctive vogue senses that mild up any room they step foot in.
“I actually noticed her nostril ring twinkling,” Anthony recalled, laughing. “She was simply glowing, the happiest particular person within the room. I instructed my buddy, ‘Yeah, I gotta discuss to her.’” And similar to that, a decade-long journey of affection, partnership and progress started.
For them, Black love isn’t nearly romance—it’s about displaying up for one another in each manner. “Love is a verb,” Ashley mentioned, emphasizing that it’s about motion, not simply phrases. She expresses her love by way of unwavering assist, ensuring Anthony feels seen and uplifted in all facets of his life.
And Anthony? He listens; he takes notes—actually. “She’ll be scrolling on-line, saying, ‘Ooh, I want I had this,’ and I’m like, ‘Famous,’” he mentioned. “Then, increase—birthday, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, it’s hers.” However past items, he holds it down in on a regular basis methods, calling himself “Mr. Clear” for the best way he retains their house so as. “I e-book the physician’s appointments, fold the garments—no matter she wants, I bought her.”
To them, Black love in full shade is all in regards to the particulars—the unstated care, the small moments, the within jokes, and even the stuff you gained’t see in films. “Like her taking out my ingrown hairs,” Anthony joked. “The place’s that illustration in Black love tales?” Ashley agreed, “Love isn’t simply the large moments—it’s within the day-to-day, in the best way we present up for one another, time and again.” And after 10 years, they’re nonetheless displaying up, nonetheless rising, nonetheless loving—loud, proud, and in full shade.
Lellies & Kris
Ages: 29 and 36 Relationship standing: Companions
In a full of life change stuffed with laughter, Lellies Santiago, from North New Jersey, and Kris Kasanova, from Mattress-Stuy, Brooklyn, recounted the stunning spark that ignited their relationship. “We met at a buddy’s celebration, and truthfully, it felt just like the worst first assembly ever as a result of Kas [Kris] was completely lit,” Lellies recalled with a chuckle, reminiscing in regards to the chaos of that night time. Kris added, “I used to be attempting to play matchmaker for my dude, however I ended up simply performing a idiot as a substitute!” Regardless of the rocky begin, their means to navigate the awkwardness finally led to Kris sliding into Lellies’ DMs and asking her out. “I used to be intrigued from soar,” Kris confessed, flashing an enthralling grin, whereas Lellies playfully remarked, “He knew the way to impress me with meals, so I used to be like, ‘Okay, he can feed me!’”
Their first date turned out to be an unforgettable journey that took them from having fun with Miss Lily’s scrumptious delicacies to a full of life rock present the place Kris launched Lellies to his trade connections. “It was wild! Assembly artists backstage and vibing out within the studio with Jerry Marvel? Discuss a vibe examine!” Lellies exclaimed, reflecting on the spontaneity that characterised their time collectively.
Kris famous how simple it was to attach with Lellies, saying, “What I beloved was how down she was for no matter.” The laughter that echoed by way of their dialog made it clear that their chemistry was simple. As they playfully declared, “the remainder was historical past,” it turned evident that generally essentially the most chaotic beginnings can pave the best way for one thing really particular.
It’s obvious that Lellies and Kris unfolding story isn’t just redefining their love but additionally reshaping the narrative of Black love in a world that always distorts it. “To me, Black love is like this unshakeable drive,” Lellies expressed passionately, her eyes shining with conviction. “It’s that uncooked, unapologetic vibe you see when a Black couple radiates pleasure collectively. It’s resilient, constructed on overcoming private traumas and discovering magnificence in surprising locations.”
Kris nodded in settlement, including, “Precisely! It’s about making a secure house for one another, like after we sit back with some seafood and a horrible film, simply to giggle it off collectively. It’s greater than romance; it’s a bond that carries us by way of life’s chaos.” Their love story serves as a reminder that Black love isn’t just about battle but additionally a celebration of pleasure, authenticity and resilience, fantastically coloured by their distinctive experiences collectively.
Aïssata & Ali
Age: 31 and 30 Relationship standing: Married
Ali Camara and Aïssata Diallo’s love story is a testomony to the magic of Black love—unapologetic, deeply rooted and filled with intentionality. The couple, now based mostly in Atlanta however ceaselessly repping the Bronx, first crossed paths at a marriage proposal, although their preliminary encounter wasn’t precisely a fairytale second.
“He was simply giving bizarre vibes,” Aïssata admitted with amusing, recalling the second. Ali approached her desk asking for a serviette, just for her to mistakenly supply him a handshake as a substitute. “I used to be like, ew, no serviette?” Ali joked, including that regardless of the awkward first impression, it didn’t take lengthy for his or her connection to flourish. And whereas Aïssata playfully insisted she didn’t instantly fall for him, Ali confidently reminded her, “Then you definately slid in my DMs.”
For Ali, Black love is about overcoming obstacles which have traditionally tried to maintain Black {couples} from thriving. “Particularly in America, the system crashes down on {our relationships}, on our economics, on every part,” he defined. “And for us to nonetheless discover love? That’s essentially the most highly effective factor.” She echoed the sentiment, describing Black love as “highly effective, resilient and carrying legacy.” Their love isn’t just about them—it’s a mirrored image of one thing larger, one thing historic, one thing sacred. “It’s holy,” Ali added. “It’s us.”
The best way they present up for one another in love is each grand and intimate. Ali’s love language is safety—praying over Aïssata, main spiritually, making certain she all the time feels secure. “Since I met her, she believed in me and continually tells me I can do higher,” he mentioned.
Aïssata, then again, finds pleasure within the little issues. “He doesn’t even know, however after we used to reside in an condominium, I’d ship the elevator again down for him so he wouldn’t have to attend,” she shared. Love, in all its shade, is within the particulars—the unstated gestures, the understanding glances, the best way they stroll right into a room collectively, figuring out they belong. “Individuals see us, they usually know one thing’s totally different,” Ali mentioned. “Black love at its highest stage is unapologetic.” And that’s the actual flex.
Doquan & Edvin
Age: 34 and 32Relationship standing: Companions
For 2 homosexual Black Jamaican males, their love is all the time in shade! Black love is a alternative. A alternative that Edvin Thompson Jamacia-born designer and Doquan Hines New York native and health and vogue guru makes each single day with intention and pleasure. The couple, who first linked on social media, has constructed a relationship rooted in authenticity, communication and unwavering assist.
“Limitless,” Doquan mentioned when requested to outline Black love. “Transformative,” Edvin added. Their love isn’t nearly romance; it’s about displaying up, sharing desires, and making time for one another regardless of life’s calls for. “Spending time collectively is so essential, particularly when life will get busy,” Doquan emphasised. The pair work collectively on Edvin’s clothes model Theophilio, which is rooted in shade and love for his or her heritage. Nonetheless, love extends past house—it’s skilled in new locations and adventures, from Palm Heights in Grand Cayman to swimming in Mexico’s hidden caves.
However love isn’t simply in regards to the highs; it’s about navigating challenges with grace. Their secret? “Talk, talk, talk,” Doquan burdened. “Sit down, have a dialog, and be respectful.” In a world the place Black love is commonly misrepresented, they make some extent to be intentional about how they love. “We present our love in a really sincere manner,” Edvin shared. Whether or not it’s in particular person or on social media, the 2 aren’t afraid to loudly present their love for each other, regardless of the world and a few individuals from their heritage not understanding. They achieve this effortlessly and look good whereas doing so.
At its core, their relationship is about presence and vitality—feeling seen, supported and celebrated. “Black love is magical,” Edvin declared. “Lovely,” Doquan added. And as they proudly proclaim, “And we’re right here with EBONY,” it’s clear their love is each—a testomony to the facility and sweetness of selecting one another each single day.
Asiah & Gerald
Age: 31 and 38 Relationship standing: Married
For Gerald and Asiah James Cannon, Black love is extra than simply romance—it’s a basis, a motion and a dedication to constructing one thing actual. “It means every part,” Gerald shared, reflecting on his upbringing and the significance of setting an instance. “We have to present that being with your individual, rising with your individual, is highly effective.” For Asiah, it’s about deep connection and shared expertise. “Being in love with somebody who pertains to you on so many ranges? That’s an attractive factor,” she mentioned. “All love is essential, however Black love? It’s bought a little bit additional spice.”
Their love story began at Topshop—again when it nonetheless existed—and what started as a piece connection changed into one thing deeper. Now, as newlyweds, their relationship is a mixture of romance, practicality and on a regular basis acts of service. “Gerald’s love language? Acts of service,” Asiah laughed. “He’s all the time doing the little issues, like steaming my garments or stunning me with ice cream.”
Gerald added, “And Asiah? She makes certain I’m on high of life—emails, physician’s appointments, every part. She’s my rock.” Their model of Black love isn’t in regards to the battle—it’s about deliberately selecting one another, day after day, and placing within the work to construct a life collectively.
However what does love in shade imply to them? Gerald stored it easy: “Black individuals simply being. Glad, complete and at peace.” Asiah took it a step additional, acknowledging the stereotypes about Black relationships within the media. “Individuals love to indicate our love as battle, as if we’re all the time simply surviving one thing. However Black love isn’t nearly making it by way of—we’re out right here thriving, rising and creating legacies,” she mentioned. After 11 years collectively, they’re not simply working by way of one thing; they’re working in the direction of one thing. And that love story is price telling.
J’nelle & Arthur
Age: 37 and 42 Relationship standing: Companions
As soon as upon a time, a princess from Queens, N.Y., fell for a prince from Nashville, Tenn. And it really was love at first sight. EBONY’s Government Director of Editorial J’nelle Agee and her companion, company govt Arthur Butler, have been collectively since assembly at a sorority get together in 2023. In March 2025, they’ll welcome their first little one.
The couple has let go of the trail typically anticipated by others. “Watching my dad and mom, the best way that they beloved, the best way that my grandparents beloved, I believed that that was the trail that I needed to go on,” Butler shared as he was beforehand married which ended divorce.
As an alternative, they’ve created a union that’s genuinely their very own. “Being in a relationship the place you are feeling cared for, and guarded, and you are feeling like the one that you’re with is simply imagined to be your particular person,” Agee says of the power of their connection. The couple additionally mirrored on societal norms and following the timelines of their friends. “We’re about to have a child, however our definition of Black love is what makes us really feel snug and what we get pleasure from doing and having fun with one another’s firm collectively,” Agee mentioned.
Butler will get much more granular, in accordance with his definition. “Black like to me is basically sacrifice with out remorse,” he declared. “It’s additionally J’nelle.”
Communication and honesty are the keys to their love staying alive, as they create a brand new legacy of Black love that doesn’t comply with anticipated outcomes. As a substitute, it’s serving them their very own fortunately ever after.
Jannah & Kiyanna
Age: 38 and 35Relationship standing: Married
Destiny will all the time discover a technique to convey the best individuals collectively. Jannah and Kiyanna Helpful grew up in the identical Brooklyn, N.Y. neighborhood, however didn’t join till working at a college campus in New Jersey. “We grew up about 600 ft from each other, so we in all probability met within the cornerstone in a bodega someplace,” mentioned Kiyanna.
Co-owners of Blk Classic Market in Brooklyn, these first pals have watched their love blossom over their 13-year relationship, by way of work and play. “We’ve got each advanced and grown into our maturity. Being a household, and that being a verb, is displaying love by way of, displaying up for each other regularly, acts of care, acts of service and consideration, I feel that that’s actually essential,” she continued.
The reflection the 2 see inside each other additionally bolsters their love. “The factor I like essentially the most about my companion is that she is a mirrored image of me in her Blackness in her womanness and boldness. We get to simply kiki for a lifetime, and so I like that,” Jannah exclaimed. “We are saying on a regular basis that we’re equally yoked, and I discovered any individual who’s simply as a lot of a sensible ass as I’m, so I like it.”
Now the couple is standing up for love in shade in all its varieties. “I take into consideration youthful me, being a tomboy again within the day and not likely seeing plenty of queer illustration of Black queer ladies in fruitful relationships, in marriages and long-term commitments,” Jannah mentioned, “For us, it actually turned a aware and intentional option to be the entrance and the face of our enterprise, as a result of we all know it’s essential for a way essential that illustration is.”
Kiyanna concluded, “Black love means every part to us. We descend from Black households. We’re elevating and creating and cultivating Black households as effectively. It’s the cornerstone of the Black group, and if we aren’t taking care of each other and deliberately caring for each other in tactile methods, who else is gonna do it?”
Jamila & Ali
Age: 36 and 43Relationship standing: Married
If love is a big gamble, Jamila and Ali Wright are its greatest winners. Ali, a Brooklyn native, met his Georgia peach, Jamila Wright, at a mutual buddy’s celebration celebration in Atlantic Metropolis, N.J. They nerded out over books, Black details and the Black Panther get together and have been collectively ever since that fateful night time over 10 years in the past.
As co-owners of Brooklyn Tea in Brooklyn, N.Y., this couple has brewed up a definition of Black love that speaks to all.
It’s a “declaration that on this loopy world [where] we are able to typically be uncared for as individuals…that we are able to discover one another and we are able to discover solace and safety,” mentioned Jamila. “A have to see his Black pleasure shine by way of, to see my pleasure shine by way of. There’s a dedication to make that occur.”
Their love can be linked by their historical past and heritage. “Being with somebody who’s so shut associated to your tradition is simply actually cool,” mentioned Ali.
As they develop in love, so does their appreciation for what every brings to the desk. “He’s so curious in regards to the world that we reside in and that his perspective isn’t the one one,” Jamila mentioned. “It’s compelled me to be extra curious and stroll this life being much less opinionated. I’m grateful for that.”
Together with the understanding that theirs is a love grounded. “Two individuals going to work, coming house, giving hugs, dancing in the midst of the lounge, cooking collectively, like simply common on a regular basis issues collectively…Which may not make for good salacious TV,” Ali shared. “However I feel it makes for good stable foundations for household and residential.”
S. Princess & Bahir Jessie
Age: 42 and 45Relationship standing: Married
For S. Princess and Bahir Jessie, love started of their adolescence. “We had been boyfriend and girlfriend early on in highschool,” Bahir mentioned. Whereas they went their separate methods for school and the beginning of maturity, the Holy Spirit and a visit to Chilly Stone Creamery introduced them again collectively.
“I’m strolling out [of the store] and [the Holy Spirit] mentioned, ‘No, no, no. Sit proper right here and face that manner.’ I sit down and I begin consuming my ice cream, and right here [S. Princess] comes. I say, ‘Hey, beautiful.’ And it was the very best factor that ever occurred to me. We’ve been collectively ever since.”
Their joint beliefs have constructed their stable basis of Black love. “Whenever you’re settled in who you’re, after which God sends you what you ask for. And while you’re in a spot of being keen to obtain it, it’s safety,” S. Princess exclaimed. “It’s sacred. It’s enjoyable. It’s battle. It’s understanding. It’s rising. I do consider Black love is rising. Black love is stable. And I really feel that it is extremely in vogue.”
The occasions planner and company govt have made it a private mission to raise Black love in essentially the most constructive mild, leaving the negativity and hurtful stereotypes behind. “It’s essential to have the suitable view,” Bahir declared, “rising as a tradition will not be permitting it to persist and displaying all of the fantastic issues that Black love has to supply, as EBONY is doing.”
S. Princess added, “That’s the entire dope factor about good Black love; you signify for everyone who needs to get some. And I do assume it’s potential. You gotta have a good time it.”
