Watch Black Love

Black Love is a docuseries that aired on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) from 2017 to 2022. It explores the meaning and complexities of love, from the perspectives of black people across various stages of their relationships. The show is hosted by comedian D.L. Hughley and his wife Ladonna Hughley, and features interviews with black celebrity couples, everyday couples, and experts in the fields of love, relationships, and psychology.

The premise of the show is simple: to give voice to black love and all the nuances that come with it. Whether discussing dating, marriage or bereavement, each episode delves into a particular aspect of love and the associated challenges. The candid conversations reveal that black love takes on many forms, dependent on an individual's experiences, views, and cultural background.

The show sets out with the ambitious aim of dispelling some of the negative stereotypes that surround black relationships. While the couples interviewed have all experienced hardship and struggles, the show also highlights the truly endearing and admirable qualities of black love. The featured couples talk about finding that special someone and share what makes their love unique.

Celebrity couples interviewed on the show include Grant Hill and Tamia, LeToya Luckett and Tommicus Walker, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, and David and Tamela Mann. Amongst the everyday couples featured are an engaged couple navigating a long-distance relationship, a couple struggling to conceive, and a couple grappling with the aftermath of infidelity.

One of the ways the show tackles the black love topic is by exploring the legacy of slavery, racism, and discrimination. Many of the issues discussed on the show - distrust, vulnerability, and communication - are rooted in the trauma of systemic oppression. By acknowledging and addressing these challenges head-on, Black Love manages to contextualize the struggles relational challenges of the contemporary black community.

Black Love also seeks to be educational, drawing on the expertise of notable guests like psychologist Dr. Alduan Tartt, marriage counselor Hasani Pettiford, and relationship coach Devaunshi Herring. The guests share insight, wisdom, and practical advice on all aspects of love and relationships, from sex to conflict resolution, co-parenting, and mental health.

Overall, Black Love is a compelling and enlightening series that explores the intricacies of black love and relationships. The show casts light on the challenges faced by black couples but also provides hope by spotlighting successful relationships. At its core, Black Love is a celebration of the beauty and the challenges of loving and living in a society with a history of systemic inequalities deeply tied into romantic relationships.

Black Love is a series that ran for 6 seasons (43 episodes) between August 29, 2017 and on OWN