Black Love: The Interviews

From MySpace to power couple, Chris and Mattie James have been rocking with each other since the early digital age, but they weren't always in each other's Top 8. While the two started off just as friends, they quickly found themselves as something more, and when a prophet foresaw their marriage, Chris knew it was time to propose. However, after a miscarriage, to having a child, and battling the dynamics of depression in a relationship, the communication and foundation was no longer there and the two separated. What brought these two back together? In an amazing story of love, faith and family, this 2018 interview with Chris and Mattie shares the gamut of the highs and lows that come with building a life together and is a true testament to Black Love.

It all started in an acting class in the late 90s. Kristen and Bill always ran in the same circles, but they never really talked. However the moment that changed, both of their lives changed forever. How does that spark evolve from a chance meeting to a 19 year marriage with two children? In this 2020 interview, Kristen & Bill Bellamy discuss how they both knew that their friendship felt like something more, what it's like trying to navigate a relationship when there are careers involved, and what the couple thinks about the term "SUBMISSION". Plus what does the family unit look like when both parents are following their dreams? Get ready to take notes, because Bill and Kristen have some tips to keep us all sane!

From kickin' it with mutual friends at house parties to catching flights across the country to spend romantic nights together. In this 2014 interview, Jack and Tené Manning discuss how their platonic friendship reconnected and blossomed into the start of a beautiful black love story.

When James first spotted Lori they were both driving around in Maryland. He didn't know her name. He just saw two cute girls in a car and made a mental note. How did that turn into a 40 year love story? In this 2015 interview for Black Love Doc, Lori and James share the lessons they've learned through dating, marriage and parenthood as they reflect on just how their journey, the ups and the downs, has been worth it all.

“People look at you and think, ‘Oh you got 30 years of marriage. You’ve figured everything out.’ No, there are some things that we are still trying to figure out.” David and Tamela first met when they were in their teens, but it was NOT in a relationship capacity. They were just friends, homies, pals. Clearly that didn't last, but it wasn't as simple as friends turned to lovers. In this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc, David and Tamela share how they went from friends to partners to parents and even business partners with the love and humor that they are known for.

Quan and Will's love story begins at dorms of Howard University. Will, returning to school after Hurricane Katrina changes his plans needed some cash on his laundry card, and well, he sort of took Quans... It was a misunderstanding! But from there, the journey begins. Quan and Will's story at face value seem like a tale of "opposites attract" but it's really about compromise, communication, support and love. Listen in to this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc to hear how Quan and Will have made their love truly about partnership and valuing each other.

“We really figured out a way to compromise and be the strong people that we are without having to control each other.” When Dondré and Salli first met, they were work friends. They were actors and Dondré had suggested Salli for a role. Plus they were both in relationships. Honestly, there were a lot of reasons as to why they wouldn't get together. Which is why when this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc came to be it all seemed meant to be. Salli and Dondré had been together for over twenty years and married for 17 of them, so they have A LOT of advice for those of us trying to find our way in this love game. Listen in as they share how they have found how to make it work for them, how manhood and roles shaped their relationship, and how talking about sex keeps them engaged with each other.

Black men, it's time to get real with each other. Wellness, self-love, finance, nutrition; these are just a few topics Black Love Inc General Manager David Wasicki will be bringing to the forefront in Man to Man: A Black Love Wellness Series. Each week the topics will change, but the insights & lessons gained from Black men of all walks of life will remain constant. Man to Man serves as a platform for men to get real-life insight directly from notable, successful men who lead with the honesty and vulnerability that Black Love is known for.

When Shavon first encountered Jaime it was at a track meet. They were both Olympians and he had just won his heat and she thought he was cute. Fast forward 4 years later to another track meet at UCLA and Jaime would ask Shavon out to dinner. They were inseparable ever since. It wouldn't be until years later when a terrible accident would put their love to a test. Listen in to this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc as Shavon and Jaime share what they learned about love through hardships, shifting one's goals, and how love truly is the foundation to it all.

When Kevin first laid eyes on Melissa in on the first day of 11th grade in Ms. Chapman’s U.S. History class he knew he wanted to shoot his shot. He didn't, but he did at least start a friendship, and they've been in each other's lives ever since. They were dating before the end of the school year, went to college together, and married before they had their degrees. It all seemed so easy for them. It wasn't until a fundamental shift in Melissa's family dynamic changed her entire outlook on marriage paired with Kev's rising comedy career, that the couple found themselves on a new marriage journey themselves. In this 2019 interview for Black Love Doc Kevin and Melissa share what love lessons they have learned in their 20 year relationship journey.

Some might say that Kathy and Luther's love journey started after a chance meeting in a food court in 2014, but it isn't exactly that simple. It wouldn't be until after a divorce and a re-kindling that these to would start their life’s purpose together. Listen in to this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc as Luther and Kathy discuss what they purpose meant to them, how they navigate life love, and business together, and what they hope is coming on the horizon.

David and Julie first met at a party of a mutual friend, but one could say it was on from there. They were engaged one year later in 2002. Married in 2003. Pregnant in 2004, Welcomed their first daughter in 2005. Pregnant again in 2006, and welcomed their second daughter in 2007. And as they would tell it then the hard part began! David was juggling marriage, family and his day job of being a nurse and his dream of being a comedian. Julie was a working mother, dancer, and they were struggling! In this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc, David and Julie share why they didn't give up on each other in the touch times with the truth humor and honestly that only these two can.

Codie and Tommy's love story begins at the Toronto Film festival while she was a working as a camera rep and he was presenting his feature film debut. We're not going to get into the details of who was hitting on who or who Googled who (that's why y'all gotta listen to the interview!) but the two hit it off and from there things moved FAST. One month after Codie met Tommy, they discussed this idea to create a place where Black love stories live. That was fall 2013 and they started filming Black Love in fall 2014. They were engaged. They married in 2015, and in this 2016 interview for Black Love Doc they were about to become first time parents! Listen to not only where they stood at this point in their marriage journey, but in their partnership as entrepreneurs, business partners, and filmmakers.

Raise your hand if you found the love of your life at a "Love Lockdown" party! Okay we didn't really know what exactly a Love Lockdown party was either, but apparently they were big in 2009 and it's where DeWanda and Alano's love story begins. In this 2017 interview for Black Love Doc, the couple share just how that first meeting would end in a marriage just three (!) months later. What does a relationship look like once you've said I do after such a short period of time? Plus, what other famous Black couple have they been compared to?

When Starr first heard about Bart it was while she was on a date with someone else. When that date didn't go as planned, she was quickly set up with Bart. But look, she was 19, good looking, and wasn't trying to waste her time. So when 18 year old Bart came to the door the first thing Starr said asked is if he was ugly, cause she wasn't going to open the door if he was ugly. Needless to say, Starr opened the door, and from that moment Bart knew that she was going to be his wife. However, the road to love wasn't just that simple. Bart was unfaithful. A lot. And even as his star started to rise and he thought he was ready to rise with it, he wouldn't. How did their marriage make it through every instance of turmoil? Listen as Star and Bart share their journey in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

When Tony first met Brittany in November 2011 he joked that she would be his wife. It was a weird joke coming from the Navy man who was heading out on an 8 month tour, but he seemed pretty sure of it. While he was right, it sure wasn't a direct shot to the wedding alter for these two. It would be two years (!) before they would even begin to date, and even then their relationship would be anything but traditional. Listen to this 2017 interview for Black Love Doc as Brittany and Tony share how they met, how they ended up engaged before they were even in a relationship, and how faith and friendship has been the cornerstone of keeping their love strong.

When Terry first met Rebecca she was a single mom and he was a sophomore in college. She thought he was a little corny, and he wasn't sure he was all in to be the man in her life. So how did this lead to 29 years of marriage? Well, it wasn't without its struggles. Terry was struggling. He was battling a secret addiction that almost tore them apart. In this 2019 interview for Black Love Doc Rebecca & Terry share all points of their love story; the ups, the downs and how their love for each other, and their trust in God kept them together.

Wendell Ellis Sr. & Paula Bryant-Ellis share their love story in this 2019 interview for Black Love Doc.

Michael Davis Sr. and Debbie Davis share their love story in this 2019 interview for Black Love Doc.

Brandi Sellerz-Jackson & Jon Jackson share their love story in this 2019 interview for Black Love Doc.

Mykelti Williamson & Sondra Spriggs share their love story in this 2019 interview for Black Love Doc

Pamela & Rev. M. Shea Jackson share their love story in this 2014 interview for Black Love Doc

Introducing "Parenting for the Culture" a weekly parenting podcast brought to you by the Black Love Podcast Network.

Rashad Burgess & Oliver Clyde Allen III share their love story in this 2017 interview for Black Love Doc

Eileen & Tracy Gray share their love story in this 2015 interview for Black Love Doc

Monet & Clarence Daniels share their love story in this 2017 interview for Black Love Doc

Carmen & Michael Hopson share their love story in this 2016 interview for Black Love Doc

Diann Valentine & Damon Haley share their love story in this 2017 interview for Black Love Doc

Kakia & Adonis Prasad share their love story in this 2015 interview for Black Love Doc.

Miriam Sternoff McKnight & O'Neal McKnight share their love story in this 2017 interview for Black Love Doc

Elisha Wilson Beach and Michael Beach share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Ricky Bell and Amy Correa Bell share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Quincy & Deondray Gossfield share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Kandi Burruss & Todd Tucker share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Isa Rahman & Lizzy Mathis share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Karli Harvey Raymond & Ben Raymond share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Travis & Jackie Greene share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Goldie Gabriel-Johnson & Michael Johnson share their love story in this 2017 interview for Black Love Doc.

Lanaya Irvin & Janessa Cox-Irvin share their love story in this 2018 interview for Black Love Doc.

Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson share their love story in this 2018 interview for the third season of Black Love Doc.

Todd and Alicia Taylor share their love story in this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc.

CW: Abuse, Drug Use. April and Troy Lawrence share their love story in this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc.

Shirley and Bernard Kinsey share their love story in this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc.

Richard Lawson and Tina Knowles share their love story in this 2017 interview from the second season Black Love Doc.

Styles P and Adjua Styles share their love story in this 2017 interview from the second season Black Love Doc.

Rev Run & Justine Simmons share their love story in this 2017 interview from the second season of Black Love Doc.

Kirk and Tammy Franklin share their love story in this 2017 interview from the second season of Black Love Doc.

Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe share their love story in this 2017 interview from the second season of Black Love Doc.

Devale and Khadeen Ellis share their love story in this 2017 interview from the second season of Black Love Doc.

In this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Grant Hill and Tamia share their love story.

In this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Don and Tanya Barnett share their love story.

In this 2018 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Rai and Shaun King share their love story.

In this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Aaron Ross and Sanya Richards-Ross share their love story.

In this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Ciara Whaley and Steven Caple Jr. share their love story.

In this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Glynn and Jo-Ann Turman share their love story.

In this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Jai and Rebecca Crouch-Pelham share their love story.

In this 2017 interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, actors Rochelle Aytes and CJ Lindsey share their love story.

In this 2017 interview form the second season of Black Love Doc Julie and Mark Threats share how their relationship started, the troubles that almost tore them apart, and how their faith kept them together.

In this interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Taj and Eddie George share the story of their relationship.

In this interview for the second season of Black Love Doc, Bobby Dudo and Danelle Wilson share the story of their relationship.

In this interview from the second season of Black Love Doc actors Gillian White and Michael Jai White share their love story.

In this 2018 interview from the second season of Black Love Doc, D.L. Hughley and his wife LaDonna share the ups and downs of their marriage.

In this never broadcast 2017 interview for Black Love Doc activist Mike Africa Jr, and his wife Robin Africa share how their relationship came to be.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, comedian Chris Spencer and his wife actress Vanessa Spencer share how they met, the ups and downs of their relationship, and how they find ways to keep their romance.

In this 2017 never broadcast interview for the second season of Black Love doc, Melissa and Allessandra Bradley-Burns share their love story.

In this never aired 2017 interview for Black Love Doc, Louis and Gayle Wyatt share their love journey and what their still learning about each other over 50 years later.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, Hasani and Danielle Pettiford tell us how it started, their journey, and tips for building a marriage.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Andre and Latoya Brown tell us about how their love began and how they navigated their relationship.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Susan and Darrell Carr tell us how their love came to be, and how the death of their son has changed their outlook on the future.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, Jason Wiley and Diane Houslin tell the story of how their love started and how they navigated their relationship through their differences.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, Donna and Paul Montgomery share their love story.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, Akadius and Tamra Berry explain how their marriage, while trying at times, is still rooted in love.

In this 2016 interview Neil Brown Jr. and Catrina Robinson Brown share their love journey and the bumps along the way.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love, Erica and Warryn Campbell tell us how they first met, their perspectives on what love really means, and rebuilding a relationship after the trust has been broken.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of Black Love Ashley and Bryan Chea discuss, cultural differences, the pressure to get married, and love beyond perceptions.

In this 2015 interview from the 1st Season of Black Love we hear from Coming To America's own Vanessa Bell Calloway and her husband Anthony. Vanessa gives us the details about the rules she broke when first dating Anthony & the couple share how being each other's backbones helped them navigate the tough times.

In this 2015 Black Love interview, Codie and Tommy sit with Edwina Findley and Kelvin Dickerson to discuss their relationship, marriage, and celibacy journey.

In this 2015 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, Shanice and Flex Alexander sit with Codie and Tommy to discuss their relationship.

In this 2015 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, Aonika Laurent and Sean Patrick Thomas sit with Codie and Tommy to discuss their relationship.

In this 2015 interview from the first season of Black Love Doc, Tia and Cory tells us how their relationship has evolved over 15 years.

In this 2016 interview from the first season of the Black Love Doc, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon speak about how their love story began, and what being committed in marriage means for them.