Cuffin' season is officially in full effect, ladies and gentlemen, and if you're anything like me, you've been benched. Luckily, the activity that means most this season can be a one man's sport, if you so choose. Netflix and Chillin' is a recreation that is meant to be enjoyed by all, young and old; so get your wine and popcorn ready, and let's get this thing crackin.
Whether you're in this game alone and you need an excuse to get away from family drama this season or you're boo'd up and watching a flick with the fam, here are a list of Black AF titles you won't want to miss out on this month:
Malcolm X (Dec. 1)
Malcolm X
Malcolm X was murdered in the 60s, but his memory has been preserved by another national treasure in this biographical drama. In this 1992 Spike Lee-directed classic, Denzel Washington stars as Malcolm and offers an on-screen depiction of his life before his assassination.
Class Act (Dec. 1)
Amazon Prime
A young Kid 'n Play (Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin respectively) star in this 1992 film as a valedictorian and delinquent whose school records are switched. As a result, their lives are turned upside down.
Love & Basketball (Dec. 1)
Love & Basketball
Aw, shit now! Netflix done done it now! First, Love Jones, and now Love & Basketball? My Black AF heart can't take it. You can rewatch this old-school classic starring Sanaa Lathan, Omar Epps, Alfre Woodard, and Dennis Haysbert starting December 1st.
Catwoman (Dec. 1)
Catwoman
Halle Berry is the only Catwoman we acknowledge and you can catch her slay all nine of her lives on Netflix this month.
Queen of the Damned (Dec. 1)
Queen of the Damned
Shortly before Aaliyah's untimely death, she starred as a crazy, sexy, creepy vampire in Queen of the Damned. Originally debuted in 2002, Aaliyah's brother revealed that he had to step in to assist with voiceovers after her passing. While it's a sad backstory, the movie gives us a chance to kick it one last time with one of the original princesses of 90s R&B.
Tiffany Haddish: Black Mitzvah (Dec. 3)
After learning that her father is Jewish, Tiffany Haddish wanted to explore her Hebrew roots and have a bar mitzvah in honor of her 40th birthday. The best part about it is, we're all invited. In her first solo Netflix Comedy Special, Tiffany proves that she never has to get ready. 'Cause she stay ready.
The Last OG: Season 2 (Dec. 4)
TBS
Tiffany Haddish (Shay) and Tracy Morgan (Tray) are back for another season of The Last O.G., where Tray is on a mission to put his prison-ridden life behind him and finally discover his dreams of being a chef.
Greenleaf: Season 4 (Dec. 5)
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
Canceled your cable in lieu of streaming services and missing your fam over at the Calvary Fellowship World Ministries? It's cool, sis. Me too. Lucky for us, season four of Greenleaf is making its debut on Netflix on December 5th to give you all the megachurch drama you didn't know you needed.
Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show (Dec. 6)
Produced by Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, this sketch show is Black, Black. I mean like Black AF. Earlier this year, Issa Rae, Robin Thede, and some of our favorite Black actresses of all time linked up to release A Black Lady Sketch Show, and Astronomy Club is here to prove that we are breaking into the sketch comedy scene in a major way. Featuring skits like "Magical Negro Rehab" and a horror-style scene of Black actually cracking, this show is sure to have the whole family cracking up.
A Family Reunion Christmas (Dec. 9)
Jackee Harris and Tia Mowry-Hardrict gave us the Sister, Sister reunion we didn't know we needed in this Netflix series turned Christmas special.
Private Practice: Seasons 1-6 (Dec. 22)
Private Practice
A spinoff of Grey's Anatomy,Private Practice is another Shonda Rhimes gem that's worth the binge.
Kevin Hart: Don't F**k This Up (Dec. 27)
Netflix
Kevin Hart will candidly detail the very public events and tragedies he's endured over the past year, including but not limited to his sex scandal, Oscars scandal and brutal car accident, in the Netflix documentary series, Don't F*ck This Up.
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When they met, Jason had just moved to Atlanta for a new job opportunity, and Elise was living happily in her career and had put dating on the backburner. But luckily, a mutual connection saw something in both of them and thanks to a yoga-themed baby shower and a chance text message, they found their forever. Check out their beautiful How We Met story below.
I’ll start with the easiest question. Can you both tell me a little bit about yourself and your background?
Elise: Sure, my name is Elise. I’m actually from Atlanta, GA – not a transplant. I grew up here and left right after college to pursue my career. Now I’ve been back going on eight years, and I’m in my early 40s.
Jason: And I’m Jason. I’m originally from Racine, Wisconsin. I went to school at Florida A&M University, so I am a rattler. I went back to the Midwest for a period of time, in Indianapolis. Now, I’ve been in the Atlanta area for a little over two and a half years.
Jason and Elise Robinson
Photo by FotosbyFola
Wow, that’s nice because Atlanta gets a bad rap when it comes to relationships. So you have to give us the deets. How did you two find each other?
Elise: So I work in TV and I was on-air for a number of years and then transitioned into being a producer and then a manager. As a producer, I’d always have guests on. And there was a woman who came on frequently named Rosalynn (@Rosalynndaniels, often referred to as The Black Martha Stewart), and we connected instantly. Anyway, she got pregnant right before COVID and invited me to a “modern-day yoga baby shower.” I came to support, but was also just curious about that theme.
I had an amazing time. And when it was over a few of us stuck around and convos got personal. She ended up asking me the infamous ‘Are you dating’ question. When I told her no, she decided to set me up. So I should tell you, in both of my only two serious relationships, I was set up – so I was like no.
But she pointed at her husband, who was folding up chairs, and said that another friend set her up with him. Sometimes, it takes people outside of us to see what we need. A few months later, she reached out and said she had family relocating and thought I’d really like him. So she gave him my number, and I reached out with a text. He responded with a call, and that night, we talked for about 2-3 hours. So that’s how we met. I was a little nervous because me and Rosalynn were starting a friendship, and here I was, talking to her family!
Jason: It was new for me too. Remember, I was new to the area, and I had heard so many “stories” about how people have been done wrong in the dating world. Whether it’s by theft or scamming (laughs). Plus, I had just got a new job and wanted to focus on that. But I did want to be able to date someone in a more personal way and see where it led. I felt like who better than someone who I trust to connect me. Rosalynn knows I’m private, about business life, and my personal life is important to me.
So let’s get into your courtship. What was your first date like?
Elise: We had our first convo on a Monday, and he asked me out the next day. I didn’t have any plans, but I still said no. I was just playing hard to get (laughs). But we were talking every day, and he told me he wanted to take me somewhere I’ve never been. And I’m like, you’re in my city! But he sends me three options, and sure enough, two of the places I hadn’t gone to. So, our first date was October 1, 2021, and somebody was 45 minutes late.
Now Jason, why were you 45 minutes late?
Elise: It was me – in my own city. I just got turned around, and the traffic was horrible. I kept calling him and giving him permission to leave. Full transparency: I probably wouldn’t have waited if the shoe was on the other foot. But this was my first sign of what I now know and love the most about him. It’s his patience. When I got there, I was frazzled and everything, but he was just super calm. It ended up being a great first date.
Jason: I remember just waiting and being concerned for her well-being. Because I know how traffic can be, especially when someone is rushing. I was just scrolling through my phone and looking through the menu. It was cool.
Elise and Jason Robinson
Courtesy
That’s beautiful. Now let’s talk about the “what are we” convo? Did you have one of those and if so, who initiated it and how was it?
Elise: I initiated it. Jason was dating me – and still does. But by this time, we had been on a number of dates. We were on our way to a winery, and we had a bit of a drive. So I decided to state my intention. We were just a few weeks in, but we were spending a lot of time together and we are people of a particular age. So I told him, I know Atlanta can be a Black man’s playground. There’s so many beautiful professional women here. But I’m dating with intention. I don’t want to kick it or hang with a good guy even though he’s not my person. I was done with all of that. So I’m “laying down the law” in my eyes, and he didn’t flinch. He let me finish and basically let me know we were on the same page. He was not trying to sow his royal oats.
Jason: Yeah, I was not trying to be Prince Akeem. But also, it was more so about setting a tone and goal for myself. My mama always told me to set my goals. And having a family was always one of mine. I think the biggest thing of it all, was I felt blessed – in terms of moving for work and meeting Elise, now being married. There’s victories being placed in my life.
I love that you both shared that because sometimes I get feedback on these stories and it seems like sometimes we’re afraid to really voice what we desire, no matter what that looks like.
Elise: Yeah, I think sometimes women feel like they don’t want to put pressure on their partner. But it’s not pressure. Look, Jason and I are based in faith, and what is for us is for us. Being upfront and honest is best – and early makes sense. You don’t have to convince someone to be your person.
Jason: I think her sharing those values resonated with me, and hearing her “lay down the law” was fine because I was there, too. I would say to millennial women, don’t be afraid to tell a mate what you want. You never know what that would lead to. Time is a precious commodity. Elise saying that early on showed me that she values both of our time. It showed her heart, character, and integrity, and I was drawn to that and the mature conversation. In the social media world, we don’t have those pointed conversations face-to-face. I would challenge readers to have those conversations in person, and you would get more from that convo than any post or reel. Because you see body language reactions and have deeper communication.
Yeah, I think sometimes women feel like they don’t want to put pressure on their partner. But it’s not pressure. Look, Jason and I are based in faith, and what is for us is for us. Being upfront and honest is best – and early makes sense. You don’t have to convince someone to be your person.
You both have mentioned time, family, and integrity. I’m curious what other core values do you both share?
Elise: Early on, our faith. Not just do you believe in God. It had to be deeper in that. I needed someone who would lead me, our home, and our family. I didn’t want to be in a push-and-pull relationship about prayer, church, or have conversations about being better people. Also, we discussed finances. That doesn’t just mean going to work. We chatted about ownership and what it looks like for us. How do we support each other individually and together? I know I like having my hands in a few different pots, and I needed someone who was supportive of that and likewise.
Jason: My background is that I was raised in the church. My father is a deacon and my mom is a deaconess. They've been married for 55 years. Faith was very important to me and it was crucial that my wife have that relationship as well.
Elise and Jason Robinson
Photo by FotosbyFola
Can we talk about challenges? Big or small, what are some things you had to grow through together?
Elise: I have never lived with anyone – not a roommate, a sister, friend, boyfriend or anything. Now, I’m in my 40s and I'm living with someone. When you’ve been by yourself for so long that was a challenge for both of us. We weren’t pulling each other's hair out but I’m a bit extreme. Things are color-coded in my closet. For me, working in news is chaotic so I want my home to be peaceful and organized.
Jason: I’m a man, and she’s a woman. That dynamic alone adds a flair to it. She wants things a certain way. She’s a Capricorn. But just in terms of how she wants to keep a home was a big adjustment for me. It took time.
On a smaller level, what are some of the things you disagree about day-to-day?
Elise: Cleanliness and systems. Like, he recycles and I do not. But sometimes I just have to decide if it really needs to be a thing or if I can just take care of it.
Jason: This is where my organization takes over (laughs).
What are your love languages? Do you know?
Elise: Jason’s is an act of service which works because I love cooking for him. It doesn’t feel like a chore to me. I love when I’m out, picking up his favorite juice. The other day I saw he needed t-shirts while folding clothes. So I just like doing small things for him that he doesn’t expect. He’s very much that guy that will ask to help so it doesn’t bother me.
Jason: I’d say Elise is all of them, but physical touch would probably be the biggest one. I had to get used to that. She’s taught me it in a number of ways. I remember we actually talked about love languages, and I sent her this song called “More Than Words” by Extreme. That explained to her how I felt.
Finally, can we end with the proposal? Tell us everything!
Jason: It was at a restaurant. And again, I was trying to find somewhere she hadn’t been. Also, I didn’t want to do it on our anniversary because that would have been too obvious. I contacted one of the restaurant’s staff and decided to change up the dessert menu. Each item was something special to us.
Elise: We go on so many date nights, so I just thought it was a regular night. We had finished eating, and I had to go to the bathroom. They had a nice mirror, girl. So I’m in there taking videos and stuff.
Jason: While she’s in the restroom, I’m getting everything in place with the waitress.
Elise: So as I’m reading the menu, I realize it’s telling our story and he eventually proposed. It was so special; I actually had the menu framed! It was so beautiful and thoughtful.
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