

Stop playing with Jody and get you a Kelvin Hayden.
Actress Taraji P. Henson recently revealed in an Instagram post that her former NFL star boyfriend of over two years proposed on Mother's Day with a caption that read:
"I said yes y'all!!! He started with the Cartier love bracelet BUT that was my #Mothersday gift and then dropped to his knee and I almost passed out!!! #sheisofficiallyoffthemarket and she is sooooooooooooo HAPPY!!!!!! #GODIS."
Taraji's love story didn't come without having to kiss a few frogs first.
The Hidden Figures star said that her breakout role on Empire made her romantic life much more complicated. She is proof that women of color with ambition have it hard when it comes to dating because confidence can be intimidating to a man without any of his own. She told ET in late 2015:
"I think the more successful you get, the more intimidated they get. I don't know, the more they pull away, because they feel like I'm not approachable or they're afraid to approach me." She continued, "it'll come. It's gonna come when I'm ready for it."
Sometimes we get so caught up in how we think things should be instead of focusing on what they are at the time. We must avoid confusing being alone with being lonely; this misunderstanding can cause you to invest your energy in relationships that don't feed you, just for the sake of being loved. We are not all equally yoked, and sometimes it takes patience to find someone who matches your energy. She told Marie Claire in 2017:
"I would love to [be in a relationship], but he has to see how I move and deal with it, because I don't have time to explain. I've got work to do."
Little did we know, Cookie was already Boo'd up.
Henson has made it a point to keep her romantic relationships out of the public eye, but the Internet made the decision for her in 2015 after she was photographed by the paparazzi on the beach holding hands with her one-day fiance. It wasn't until last year In an episode of Essence: Yes, Girl!, that the actress confirmed the relationship. She said:
"It was all over The Shade Room anyway. You know, I'm not the type to blast my personal business, but you know, I think that it's important for people to know that I'm happy. I'm very, very happy. I just am. We've been together for two years. And no one would really know that because I don't blast my info like that but I'm very happy."
I think everyone can appreciate a good love story, especially when it's starring a woman who deserves it as much as Taraji. She's graced both the big-screen and primetime TV with images of what black love looks like, and now she gets to live a script of her own.
The 47-year-old actress is a reminder that love may not come when you ask for it, but it will be abundant when you're ready to receive it.
"It doesn't take much to make me happy," she said. "Just someone who's going to take care of my heart, you know? Someone who's going to make me feel safe, you know, and a home to go to."
We all deserve to be loved carefully and unconditionally, and Taraji seems to have found that love for a lifetime.
Congratulations Queen! Now, ladies, what are we wearing to the ceremony?
Featured image by Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Taylor "Pretty" Honore is a spiritually centered and equally provocative rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a love for people and storytelling. You can probably find me planting herbs in your local community garden, blasting "Back That Thang Up" from my mini speaker. Let's get to know each other: @prettyhonore.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Celebrate International Women's Day With Wellness, Empowerment & More
International Women’s Day, celebrated on Saturday, March 8th, presents an excellent opportunity to honor and celebrate women. As March marks Women’s History Month, there are numerous chances throughout the month to pay tribute to the remarkable contributions of women.
Both International Women's Day and Women's History Month serve as reminders of the progress made toward gender equality and the work still left to do.
They inspire ongoing advocacy for women's rights, fostering discussions on issues such as workplace discrimination, healthcare access, and representation in leadership. By celebrating women's contributions and amplifying their voices, these observances help pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Here are four ways to celebrate International Women's Day and Women's History Month.
Attend a Women History Month Event
This month, there are numerous events happening, particularly for International Women’s Day. One such event is organized by Media Girls Network, which will be held over a multi-day period starting on Thursday. The entire event is dedicated to celebrating women.
On Friday, the organization will honor prominent women in business and entertainment, including the OMG Girlz, celebrity restauranteur Gocha Hawkins, and more.
On Saturday, guests can indulge in a day of wellness and self-care, featuring a fitness class, massages, a journaling workshop, and other activities. For more information about these events, visit www.mediagirlsontour.com.
Support a Woman-Owned Business
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Reports indicate that women constitute 39.1% of business owners, and this percentage is steadily rising. In light of this, let’s celebrate and support women-owned businesses this month.
Here are a few ways to do so: shop at their establishments, leave positive reviews, follow and engage with them on social media, collaborate with them, or contribute to their crowdfunding efforts.
Support Women's Rights Groups
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Since President Trump took office, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented number of rights being reversed, including DEI programs. Women have been particularly concerned about his decision regarding abortion and reproductive rights. Recently, he dismissed the Idaho Emergency Abortion case, which was a legal battle to ensure Idahoans had access to emergency abortion care.
Writing in her Substack blog, Abortion, Everyday, journalist and abortion rights advocate, Jessica Valenti, said, “By dropping this case, the Trump administration is sending a clear message that anti-abortion states don’t have to adhere to [the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act] by giving pregnant patients life-saving care.”
Instead of waiting on Trump's next move regarding women's rights, support women's rights organizations and charities like In Our Own Voice Action Fund and Planned Parenthood.
Empower Others
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Use your voice to raise awareness about the challenges women encounter. This can be achieved through social media platforms or by speaking at local rallies and events. By leading by example, you can inspire others to get involved and contribute to the support.
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