Black Couples Redefine Love and Commitment

Despite low marriage rates, Black couples are reinforcing the meaning of love and family.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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According to the latest U.S. Census data, about 30% of Black adults nationwide are married, the lowest share among major racial groups. However, Black couples like Brenda and Robert Brown, and Jared and Ali Lee, are redefining what Black love looks like, prioritizing mental health, personal growth, and carefully choosing their partners in a world that moves quickly.

Why it matters

The story highlights how Black couples are navigating modern dating and marriage, despite historical challenges and societal pressures. It provides insight into how Black love is evolving, with couples emphasizing values like faith, family, and community, and taking their time to find the right partner.

The details

Brenda and Robert Brown have been married for 19 years, with Robert saying he was looking for someone he could "love, trust, and move forward with." Jared and Ali Lee, married for 6 months, discussed important conversations they had before getting married, like what would happen if one of them lost their job. The couples emphasize the importance of mental health, personal growth, and carefully choosing a partner in today's fast-paced dating world with abundant options.

  • Brenda and Robert Brown have been married for 19 years, since October.
  • Jared and Ali Lee have been married for 6 months.

The players

Brenda Brown

One half of a married couple who owns a ranch in Durham, North Carolina.

Robert Brown

One half of a married couple who owns a ranch in Durham, North Carolina.

Jared Lee

A newlywed of 6 months who discussed the importance of having conversations with his wife before getting married.

Ali Lee

Jared Lee's newlywed wife of 6 months, who discussed the state of dating in the modern world.

Elizabeth Overstreet

A relationship expert who commented on how young people are prioritizing mental health and personal growth.

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What they’re saying

“She was, she was correct in everything she said. And, I also was looking for someone that, that I could love, that I could trust, and that I could move forward with and build a life with.”

— Robert Brown (abc11.com)

“You have those conversations before you decide to take that next step of like, what happens if I lose my job? What happens if you lose your job?”

— Jared Lee (abc11.com)

“Obviously, the attention span is short, but also, like the world is your oyster at this point. You can meet anyone at any time, and then you have FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).”

— Ali Lee (abc11.com)

“There was a time we weren't allowed to do this, and that's why it's so important that we join our lives and we commit so that we can pass down our legacy the way that it always should have been. We had an interruption, and now we're resuming.”

— Ali Lee (abc11.com)

“In a nutshell, I think marriage represents oneness. I believe that marriage represents for us, in particular, faith, family, and community rolled up all into one.”

— Robert Brown (abc11.com)

The takeaway

This story highlights how Black couples are redefining the meaning of love and commitment, prioritizing mental health, personal growth, and carefully choosing their partners in a world that moves quickly. Despite low marriage rates among Black adults, these couples are reinforcing the values of faith, family, and community within their marriages.