Culture Shockingly, Nikki and Shawn are My Favorite 'MAFS' Couple Season 20 of Married at First Sight is nearing its end. With only two weeks left until Decision Day, the couples are tasked with the biggest decision of their lives thus far: staying in the marriage past the experiment’s expiration date - or calling it quits. The experiment has been By Brenda Alexander • 5 min read
Culture When Harlem Meets the Vineyard: Dance Theatre of Harlem Celebrates Black Art and Culture On Martha’s Vineyard, Dance Theatre of Harlem brought Robert Garland and Mickalene Thomas together for a conversation that connected two places with deep roots in Black creativity, community and cultural influence. There are certain places that mean something different to Black people because of the history we have created By Dr. Christal Jordan • 6 min read
Culture OWN’s 12th Season of Love & Marriage: Huntsville Proves #SideChicksBeWinnin’ Twelve seasons ago, Love & Marriage: Huntsville introduced us to something I was genuinely excited to see on television: Black love, Black marriage, Black ownership and Black entrepreneurship. Three attractive, successful Black couples in Huntsville, Alabama, were building businesses, raising families and trying to create something together. They were upper- By Dr. Christal Jordan • 4 min read
Culture Truth Hurts Isn’t Pandering to Women and That May Be Exactly Why They Keep Listening The Philly relationship personality has built an audience by saying the things people do not always want to hear, admitting his own flaws and refusing to pretend social media created the war between Black men and women. Truth Hurts is not particularly interested in making women feel good. That becomes By Dr. Christal Jordan • 9 min read
Photography: Derek Blanks Culture Dr. Stacii Jae Johnson Says Forget Love at First Sight and Build a Love That Lasts The OWN relationship expert turned generational heartbreak into a blueprint for healing, healthy partnership, and lasting love. When I asked Dr. Stacii Jae Johnson whether she believed in love at first sight, her answer came without hesitation. "No.” It wasn’t the response I expected from a woman whose By Dr. Christal Jordan • 7 min read
Photo Credit: Elijah Rodney for TextNow Culture Katt Williams Isn’t Selling Phone Plans. He’s Selling Independence. Whenever I see Katt Williams attached to anything, I pay attention. It isn’t simply because he’s one of the funniest comedians of his generation, and it isn’t because controversy seems to follow him wherever he goes. It’s because Katt Williams has spent the better part of By Dr. Christal Jordan • 3 min read
Culture Bobby Brown’s 35th Anniversary Celebration Was More Than a Concert—It Was a Reunion With a Generation There are few artists whose music can instantly transport an audience back to a specific chapter of their lives. On Friday night, Bobby Brown proved that his catalog still possesses that rare power as he celebrated the 35th anniversary of Don’t Be Cruel, the groundbreaking album that transformed him By Victor Flavius • 3 min read
Culture Paul Brunson and Dr. Liza Paz Resuscitated the 'Married At First Sight Franchise' Paul Brunson is the best thing to happen to the fan favorite reality series in years After watching the season premiere, I’m convinced Peacock didn’t just find a new relationship expert. It found the magic this franchise has been missing all along. For years, Married at First Sight By Dr. Christal Jordan • 4 min read
Culture OWN’s Put A Ring On It: Cheathab Asks the Question Reality TV Has Been Avoiding For years, reality television has followed a familiar script. Couples fall in love, cameras roll, temptation enters the picture, someone cheats, trust is shattered, and by the reunion special we’re dissecting another relationship that couldn’t survive fame, pressure, or poor decisions. We’ve watched it happen across dating By Dr. Christal Jordan • 3 min read
Culture Black Beauty Never Needed Permission Simone I. Smith and Rapsody remind us that our culture has always been the blueprint. There are certain things Black women wear that have never simply been fashion. They have always been declarations of who we are. A fresh press on Sunday morning, bamboo earrings in the neighborhood, a perfectly By Dr. Christal Jordan • 5 min read
Culture Karen Derrico's Breakdown Is a Result of What Happens When a Woman Abandons Herself For Love and Family We’ve heard tales of women having children in the double digits, but rarely in the modern area, or for Black families of today. That is why Doubling Down With the Derricos was so fascinating for its millions of viewers. It was fun to watch the children interact, and Deon By Brenda Alexander • 5 min read
Culture History Is Still Catching Up to TLC How CrazySexyCool: The Musical reminded me that the best-selling U.S. girl group of all time is still ahead of us. There are moments in theater when you leave talking about the performances, the music, or the beauty of seeing a familiar story brought to life in a new By Dr. Christal Jordan • 8 min read
