There’s Valentine’s Day and then, there’s National Couples Day. While single folks may argue it’s a bit much to have two days celebrating relationships—and of course, other countries have even more—the day (always on August 18) was created to give couples a stress-free alternative to celebrate their partner.
Over the years, Valentine’s Day has become very commercial, often putting added pressure on those in relationships to go all out for their significant other—because social media and consumerism say so. Rather than throwing a bunch of date ideas, gift guides and stories about over-the-top engagements at you, we’ve decided to highlight the better part of it all—the love, which is what matters at the end of the day.
To celebrate National Couples Day, we’ve put together this list of some of our favorite couples who exude the epitome of Black love.
Denzel and Pauletta Washington
Meeting on the set of Denzel’s first screen project, Wilma, the Washington’s wed on June 25, 1983. Now, forty years in, the couple continues to show us that Black love can last and that it still exists. We’ve seen them on dozens of red carpets throughout the years, and they always appear to be so in sync.
Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance
While some often forget this pair is married, Bassett and Vance have been going strong since 1994, and wed in 1997. The actors technically met in acting school in the 1980s, but their romance didn’t bud until almost a decade later. In 2006, they welcomed their twins and about a year later released their first joint memoir centered on their love story. And, we can’t forget Courtney’s passion for being his wife’s personal camera guy during her big award moments.
Teyanna Taylor and Iman Shumpert
EBONY April 2022 Cover Star’s Teyanna Taylor and Iman Shumpert are considered young lovers, but the two are powerhouses in their own rights. Taylor is an uber talented creative and her hubby is doing his things in the acting space as well as a former pro athlete. Their daughters, Junie and Rue, are absolutely adorable and when they all step out as a family—our hearts literally melt.
Ciara and Russell Wilson
As we previously mentioned, the Wilson’s are always displaying Black love to the highest degree, and we’re here for it. The couple recently shared they’re expecting their fourth child, and we wouldn’t be surprised it we get a few more announcements in the future. Wed in 2015, the “Goodies” singer and Denver Broncos QB truly make us believe in love again.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
You can’t talk about Black “power couples” without mentioning these two. “Baby, I’m good all by myself, but I’m a force when we’re together,” as Ne-Yo once sang—and the Carters are certainly that. It’s been fun to see Jay sing along with his wife and cheer on their daughter, Blue Ivy, during her Renaissance World Tour. We love a supportive King, and we can only imagine what these two will do next.
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