The Bachelorette has made history this year. After 18 seasons of the beloved ABC reality competition show, The Bachelorette has had its first-ever all-Black final four contestants. Michelle Young, who is the current Bachelorette and also Black was first introduced to Bachelor nation when she was in the final two of the first Black Bachelor, Matt James’, season and so it’s exciting to see her push history forward on the long-running series.
The final four contestants included Nayte Olukoya, Joe Coleman, Brandon Jones, and Rodney Mathews who (spoiler alert) was sadly sent home last Tuesday. After the episode aired, Rodney appeared on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast and spoke about being a part of the historic moment.
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"Once I kind of understood the gravity of that situation, it was really something that meant a lot to me,” Rodney said. “For us, and Michelle as well, to kind of talk about that and just us being a part of history with the Bachelor Nation franchise is really something that is so special to me and something I hold near and dear to my heart."
It seemed that the guys while making history also seemed to have a great deal of respect for one another. "Each and every one of them, I'm so blessed to know them and even be in the same category with guys like that," the 29-year-old said. "We were just so honored and happy to be there together."
"We were just all so close and connected but we understood each other's connections with Michelle," he continued. "We're just grateful for that moment. And I can't tell you how proud and happy I was to be a part of that."
Nayte, Joe, and Brandon all also touched on the remarkable occasion via their personal Instagram pages. In an extensive caption, Nayte wrote about how much it meant to him growing up in a predominately white neighborhood and being raised by his mom’s side of the family who is white.
“I know this isn’t some earth-shattering historic event. But I can’t help but think about my experience of growing up in Canada. I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, went to predominately white schools, and was raised by my Mom and her side of the family. I didn’t see many people who looked like me. And when I did, it was mainly on TV. And many of us know how people who look like me tend to be portrayed on TV…”
All three of the final contestants also gushed over their “Black queen” Michelle only leaving fans to wonder which one ends up with the Minnesota beauty.
Featured image by Amy Sussman/Getty Images
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“Your circle is everything,” Reginae shares with a smile, and she’s not wrong. She’s all about creating spaces where we can come together, let our hair down, and vibe with like-minded women. “We deserve spaces to meet, uplift, and vibe with each other. BLK is making that happen,” she adds.
A New Era for Friendships—Social Mode Is Here!
Gen Z is all about building meaningful connections, whether it’s with a date or a new brunch buddy. That’s why Social Mode is such a big deal. Research shows that 65% of Gen Z values friendships just as much as romantic relationships. With BLK’s new feature, users can easily toggle between “Dating” and “Social,” opening up a world of platonic connections—no swiping right required.
Bahja Rodriguez, Reginae Carter, Breaunna Womack, Lourdes Rodriguez and Zonnique Pullins attend OMG Girlz "Make A Scene" Single Release & Video Viewing Party at Trap City Cafe on March 27, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage
Reginae Carter Hosts the Ultimate Girls’ Night In—Powered by BLK Social Mode
What better way to show Social Mode in action than with an exclusive Girls’ Night In, hosted by Reginae? The event brought together top influencers, tastemakers, and press for a night of luxury, self-care, and real talk about love, sex, and relationships. From tarot readings to perfume-making and signature cocktails, the evening embodied the “soft life” vibe that many Black women are embracing in 2025—peaceful, intentional, and full of joy.
Guests mingled, laughed, and bonded over the importance of finding a tribe that supports you. It wasn’t just about fun (although there was plenty of that!)—it was about creating a circle of inspiring, strong women. “We need to stick together. We need to be each other’s village,” Reginae says, emphasizing the power of community over competition.
Sisterhood: The Real MVP
For Reginae, it’s all about friendship—and not just the surface-level kind. “We need friends who keep it real with us. The ones who can tell us when we’re right, when we’re wrong, and when we need to calm down,” she says. As someone who navigates the spotlight, she’s got the best of both worlds: friends who understand the grind and those who can give her an honest, grounded perspective.
Her advice for building strong, intentional friendships? “Be confident in yourself and know your worth,” she explains. “Also, hurt people hurt people, so make sure you’re coming from a good place when you’re building relationships. It’s not always about being nice—sometimes it’s about being real.”
Reginae couldn’t have summed it up better: “When you have the right circle, the right tribe, everything just feels easier. And that’s exactly what BLK is giving us—space to connect, laugh, and grow with each other.”
To learn more about BLK’s Social Mode, download or update the BLK app in the App Store or Google Play Store today. Who knows? You might just find your new bestie or your next brunch crew.
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Feature image by Prince Williams/WireImage