Black love stories depicted in movies, television shows and books have always been the epitome of true romance. Stories that we have rooted for, romance that we’ve got behind, and the real-world societal issues they’ve overcome have always inspired us; these tales of unity are extraordinary.
Every Black History Month, we highlight the best relationship stories that embody Black love, whether it’s a fan-favourite couple in our favourite series or a duo that has endured thick and thin to stand together ’till the very end.
Some of these stories are nuanced and beautiful, while others pack a powerful punch when it comes to leaving us with a deeper meaning of love while portraying some of the stigmas and hardships that Black couples face in the real world. In general, we can all learn a lesson or two from these love stories, whether navigating the everyday family lives like Beth and Randall Pearson or the grief and traumas experienced by Queen & Slim.
So, without further ado, here are our best black love stories and representation across movies, television and books…
1. MOVIE: How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998)
Angela Bassett deserves the world – and so does Stella, one of her most iconic characters. How Stella Got Her Groove Back follows Stella Payne, a 40-something career woman who goes on a well-deserved holiday in Jamaica, only to fall in love with a man half her age. It happens!
At a panel talk back in 2023, Angela reflected on the film’s legacy, saying, “We as Black women have been seen through the eyes of tropes. Being a hard-trained actress, I am always looking for the humanity in these female characters to make them rich and multi-dimensional.”
2. MOVIE: The Photograph (2020)
This romantic drama, directed by Stella Meghie, is a love story that really goes the distance. Starring Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield, The Photograph hinges on the discovery of a hidden family photograph, which prompts Mae (Rae) to investigate her past. While she uncovers many family secrets, she also begins a romance with journalist Michael Block (Stanfield). Their chemistry must be seen to be believed – we demand a sequel.
3. MOVIE: Southside With You (2016)
When Barack Obama, a precocious law student (and future President of the USA, mind you), takes lawyer Michelle Robinson on a first date in Chicago during the summer of 1989, he changes the course of American history forever. But before all that, he and Michelle share their first kiss outside a Baskin-Robbins ice cream store – a spot that is now commemorated with a plaque. Southside With You magnificently depicts one of the greatest – not to mention influential –love stories of all time.
4. MOVIE: Moonlight (2016)
The Barry Jenkins-directed coming-of-age movie, Moonlight, explores three different life chapters of Chiron (Ashton Sanders), a young black man growing up in Miami. From childhood, adolescence, and early adult life, along the way, he finds guidance from drug dealer Juan (Mahershala Ali), who teaches him to find his own path in life, with his advice leaving a lasting impression on Chiron. Most importantly, the movie follows Chiron’s journey with his sexuality and how he not only learns to love someone else but himself as well. The film scooped up the Oscar for Best Picture in 2016 as well as several other awards, so it’s most definitely a must-watch.
5. MOVIE: If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Two years later, Barry Jenkins returned with his next romantic drama movie, If Beale Street Could Talk, which also won award-season praise. The story centres on childhood friends Tish (KiKi Layne) and Fonny (Stephan James), who fall deeply in love. However, things take a drastic turn when Fonny gets falsely accused of rape, prompting a pregnant Tish to set out to prove his innocence.
6. MOVIE: Love and Basketball (2000)
Monica (Sanaa Lathan) grows up alongside Quincy (Omar Epps) after she moves next door to him at the age of eleven. However, as love begins to blossom between the pair, their respective hopes and dreams of being the best basketball players in the world stand in the way of their romance and threaten to pull them apart. Released in 2000, this Gina Prince-Bythewood-directed sports drama movie asks the question: does love conquer above all else?
7. MOVIE: Queen & Slim (2019)
Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith are excellent as the titular leads who agree to go out for a date before their romantic adventure takes a horrifyingly unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over. When the situation escalates, Slim takes the officer’s gun and shoots him in self-defence. Immediately, they find themselves on the run as they’re labelled cop killers by the media. However, on the other hand, they become a symbol of trauma, grief and pain for people all over the country.
8. MOVIE: Malcolm & Marie (2021)
Every relationship has its ups and downs, which is brilliantly portrayed by the wonderfully talented Zendaya and John David Washington in Malcolm & Marie. In the movie, a writer/director’s relationship with his girlfriend is tested as they arrive home from his latest glamorous movie premiere, where revelations about their relationship are brought to the surface during one long night of turmoil.
9. BOOK: Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson (2020)
While working at Joy Strong’s knitting shop, Strong Knits, for years, Kerry Fuller has harboured a longstanding secret crush on Joy’s heartbreaker son, Jesse Strong. However, when tragedy strikes and Joy passes away, Jesse vows to keep the knitting shop open and reaches out to Kerry for assistance. She ends up teaching him the intricacies of the business while also keeping in mind his womanising status to avoid herself from getting heartbroken. But the more time they spend together, can Jesse teach her that she has been wrong about him all this time?
10. BOOK: Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins (2013)
Award-winning author Beverly Jenkins takes us back to the 19th century in the American West in Destiny’s Embrace, where self-important ranch owner Logan Yates is forced to confront his feelings about his stunning and free-spirited housekeeper, Mariah Cooper. Despite their bickering, their sexual tension continued to mount, even while Mariah’s former lover makes a surprise arrival. Who will she choose?
11. BOOK: Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola (2022)
The acclaimed book Honey & Spice tells the story of sharp-tongued Kiki Banjo, who makes it her mission on her popular student radio show Brown Sugar to ensure that the African-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University does not fall into the trap of “situationships”, players, and overall heartbreak. However, when she kisses Malakai Korede, the guy she previously publicly denounced, in front of everyone on campus, she finds her show on the brink of ruins. This forces her to engage in a fake relationship with Malakai, and the pair are soon forced to learn some deep truths about each other and themselves…
12. BOOK: Significant Others by Sandra Kitt (1996)
African American high school counsellor Patricia Gilbert, who is white-passing, has her identity become even more complicated when she falls in love with Morgan Baxter, the father of the biracial son whom she has been trying to shield from neighbourhood bullies. However, when Patricia and Morgan begin seeing more of each other, they are met with further issues stemming from family, race and identity dynamics, which presents them a more daunting challenge.
13. BOOK: I Think I Might Love You by Christina C. Jones (2019)
A feel-good romance novel that sees Jaclyn Love, who keeps running into Kadan Davenport in the small city of Blakewood. What are the chances?! But despite leaving a disastrous first impression on him, given her “magnet for trouble” status, are the pair actually meant for each other? Only time will tell…
14. TV: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
Despite Will’s now-wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, having unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of Lisa, we were overcome with emotion as Will ended up trying the knot with Nia Long’s portrayal of Lisa. The union brought an end to Will’s bachelor days, and the pair looked undeniably great together. But we’re still glad he ended up with Jada IRL.
15. TV: black-ish (2014-2022)
Black-ish is the hugely popular sitcom created by Kenya Barris that ran for eight seasons before coming to an end in 2022. The brilliant thing with this series was that no matter how much time had passed, one thing that always remained the same was the day-to-day relationship between Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) and Dre (Anthony Anderson), where they worked hard to create their life and family together.
16. TV: The Game (2006-2009)
They went through everything from infidelity to infertility, but the bond between Melanie (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) and Derwin (Pooch Hall) from The Game always came out on top. As the icing on the cake, Melanie ended up welcoming twins at the end of the series. We always love a happy ending.
17. TV: This Is Us (2016-2022)
The way Beth and Randall supported each other throughout the six seasons of the emotional drama, This Is Us has ensured us that we do not want to settle for anything less. While they had their trials and tribulations, the pair expertly navigated through becoming parents of two, being foster parents to a teenager, and forging their own careers and more. We also can never forget Randall holding his own when another character made an assumption he was married to a white woman. “I wake up every morning next to a head scarf and coconut oil. I’m married to a black queen—not that it’s any of your business,” he said.
18. TV: All My Children (1970-2013)
As one of the longest-standing couples in soap history, we have always rooted for All My Children’s Angie and Jessie, who are played by Debbi Morgan and Darnell Williams. From teaming up to find their son to getting remarried at the Justice of the Peace, these two have truly stood the test of time.
