Since their union, Ciara and Russell Wilson have been admired and viewed as Black love and Black excellence. From how they complement each other on the red carpet to their cute family moments that are often shared on social media, fans have deemed Ciara and Russell goals. They constantly gush about each other in the press and on social media. Who can forget the Denver Broncos quarterback begging the “Level Up” artist for a fourth baby while she was hosting Ellen?
And who can forget Ciara revealing her prayer for landing Russell, which fans have dubbed the Ciara prayer? Not only are they partners in love but they are also partners in business and philanthropy. They opened the Why Not You Academy together in Seattle and have given back to the community on countless occasions. The 2014 Super Bowl champion wrote a love letter to his wife for Sports Illustrated where she modeled for the swimsuit issue and shared what it was like opening the school together.
“When Ciara and I visited during the opening of the school, it was amazing to see how excited the students were to have her there,” she said. “She didn’t just speak to them. She spoke life into them. She told them to write out their goals, to envision what’s next—and then to go out and do it. What struck me was the glow and smiles on the kids’ faces, then and in the moments that followed, when we checked in and had the students share their progress toward reaching their dreams.”
He even shared how inspiring she is and how excited he is to see her bring happiness to others’ lives. “She inspires people because she connects with them. She tilts rooms when she walks into them; it really seems like all the furniture just slides her way,” he said. “Maybe it’s an interaction with a fan, where she’ll suggest they take a selfie together before the fan can even ask. Or it might be a far more serious situation. I remember our first visit to Seattle Children’s Hospital when a mother of a boy who was ill held on to her for a good five minutes without letting go. That’s the kind of woman Ciara is—a ray of light."
Their love makes everyone smile as well as what they say about each other. Here is everything Russell has said about his wife Ciara over the years.
Love at First Sight
In July 2015, Russell participated in a Q&A with The Rock Church in San Diego, and he shared that he was interested in Ciara before ever meeting her. “I told somebody that’s the girl I want to be with before I even met her,” he said. “I was like ‘I’m probably going to end up with Ciara.’ She’s a special girl.”
Being Abstinent
In the same interview with The Rock Church, the Denver Broncos quarterback opened up about being abstinent from sex. “I asked her, ‘What would you do if we took all that other stuff off the table and did it Jesus’ way, no sex? He explained. “I knew God had brought me into her life to bless her and for her to bless me and to bless so many people with the impact that she has and I have. We’re not going to be perfect, by any means.”
Endless Love
After losing a Seattle Seahawks game, Russell gushed about his wife in a January 2017 Instagram post. “I will forever win bc I get to come home to you every night. The love of my life. I love you. This past year has been full of so much joy & happiness. From getting Married to having our little one on the way, to your constant endless love. I couldn't be more grateful to have you in my life Mrs. Wilson. You make everyday a perfect day. #ForeverGrateful.”
Russell’s Prayer
While the Ciara prayer has been widely popular among fans who want to find a love like the singer, Russell shared what his prayer was for finding a wife. In the prayer, he said that he wanted a woman of faith, “a woman who was gonna love me the way that my mom loved my dad when he was on his deathbed” and “a woman who was gonna tilt the room.”
First Date
During an appearance on Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud radio show, Russell recalled his first date with the “Goodies” singer and the line he used that won her over. "First day we met — and we had been talking for two-and-a-half hours, hanging out — she saw the wallet, sitting on the table. She said, 'What the hell is that? You're losing with that,'" he said. "I put my finger [up] and said, 'First of all, with me, you're never losing.'"
"'Second of all, that wallet, that shows consistency. That's what you're going to get from me. You're going to get somebody who is consistent for you every day. Inside that wallet, there's something that's real in there.'"
Biggest Fear
The power couple were on the cover of the February 2021 issue of GQ and during the couples quiz, they were asked about their biggest fears. Ciara said her biggest fear was not being prepared, but the Denver Broncos star said his biggest fear was “losing you.”
Proud Hubby
In the Sports Illustrated issue, Russell also shared how proud he was of his wife and the goals she has been able to reach.
“As you can probably tell, I’m incredibly proud of my wife. And now that she’s on the cover of SI Swimsuit, that’s one more thing for me to take pride in. I know it’s something she’s always wanted. And I know she’ll use the visibility that comes with being on the cover to inspire even more people—not only as a mother and the beautiful angel and the powerful woman that she is, but also as the businesswoman that she is, the fashion icon that she is.”
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This article is in partnership with Lexus.
Luxury is often defined by someone else’s standards. But what if the finer things in life looked different through the lens of those crafting and shaping Black culture?
In Redefining Excellence, a two-episode short-form video series presented by Will Packer Media in collaboration with Lexus, we dare to broaden how we think about luxury. Here, it’s not just about the price tag. Luxury is a practice.
At its core, Redefining Excellence is a celebration of intention woven into every detail of how we live: our joy, our spaces, our craft, but also our rituals of care. These are the Black creators who not only give the best to themselves in what they build, but also pay it forward to the communities around them.
Through their vision, they embody the same precision and artistry that Lexus embraces when in pursuit of a higher standard, the Standard of Amazing.
In Episode 1, “Ingredients of Success,” the series follows chef, restaurateur, and Lexus Culinary Master Kwame Onwuachi, whose artistry is imbued with rich cultural storytelling. We see him wander purposefully through a garden, gently testing the ripeness of fresh fruits and vegetables. “Luxury isn’t about exclusivity. It’s about being intentional with your choices and craft,” he says.
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“Now, because of my work and the ingredients I use, luxury means something different. I am boldly setting a new standard of amazing and innovation.”
As he chops vegetables, plates vibrant dishes, and loads the finished product into the sleek Lexus LC Convertible, he continues, “For me, luxury means ingredients that carry memory… dining experiences and locations that honor the stories that raised me and feel like us.”
In Episode 2, “The Texture of Luxury,” the lens turns to founder and CEO of CurlyCon LA Ava Pearl, whose ingredients take a different form. As the trunk of her Lexus LX 700h lifts, she says, “When I think of luxury, it isn’t expensive, it’s expansive.” The scene shifts, and we watch Ava lay down a bouquet of fresh flowers upon entering her home before using aloe vera leaves to prepare gel by hand.
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“When I was younger, I thought luxury was something you bought. Now I know it’s about living up to a higher standard… Black women have always defined what’s next, setting the standard for beauty, luxury, and excellence.”
Like Kwame, she builds with intention, pouring care into the details, believing, like Lexus, that “luxury isn’t just a finish, it’s a standard. One that’s built to amaze.”
Through these stories, Redefining Excellence serves as a reminder that the journey is not just about the destination, but also the ingredients you choose along the way.
Watch both episodes now and learn more about how Kwame and Ava set their own standard of amazing.
Featured image by xoNecole/Will Packer Media
I know firsthand how powerful it is to see our voices centered, not just included. Black-owned bookstores are one of the few places where our narratives are celebrated instead of marginalized. You’ll find works that explore our joy, our pain, our love, our resistance, our healing. And the best part? You’ll find books by authors that might not be widely represented in your local library or at big-box stores.
Supporting Black-owned bookstores isn’t just about buying books. It’s about preserving culture, investing in community, and reclaiming our stories. They’re also spaces where local authors are uplifted, children see themselves reflected in the pages, and where conversations about liberation and love happen organically between book lovers who have so much in common.
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a great list of Black-owned bookstores, both in the U.S. and globally, that you can add to your must-visit list this fall and beyond:
North
Harriett’s Bookshop — Philadelphia
This book shop, named after Harriet Tubman and founded by Jeannine Cook, serves as a hybrid space: part bookstore, part art gallery, part monument. The inventory rotates monthly with thematic exhibitions (for example reparations), and the store hosts events including internships with local youth.
The Lit. Bar — Bronx, New York
Opened in 2019, this is the only independent bookstore in the Bronx. It combines a bookstore with a stylish social space (wine bar) that brings readers together. It’s also well regarded for its curation of books by underrepresented authors and as a gathering place for the community.
Midwest
Black Garnet Books — St. Paul, Minnesota
Started as a pop‑up, Black Garnet Books received a grant to open a brick‑and‑mortar location. Its founder Dionne Sims discovered there were no previous Black‑owned bookstores in Minnesota, which motivated its creation. The store is focused on literature by Black authors and community programming.
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery — Chicago, Illinois
A Black woman‑owned bookstore and gallery space that emphasizes art and literature together. It carries a mix of books by Black authors across genres, and supports community engagement through gallery exhibitions, programs, and online presence.
South
The Listening Tree — Decatur, GA
The Listening Tree, located on Candler Road in Decatur, Georgia, was founded by Omar and Kimberly Finley to promote literacy and Black representation in children's literature. They established Our Story Books Publishing and later The Listening Tree. The bookstore offers a Young Entrepreneurs Program for ages 8-16, teaching financial literacy and business skills. Through the B-Boys and B-Girls Book Club, members receive age-appropriate books and access to a virtual community.
The Book Bar — Richmond, Virginia
Located at 1311 East Main Street in Shockoe Slip (Downtown Richmond), this Black‑ and woman‑owned bookstore (also wine bar) is focused on centering Black, Indigenous, and authors of color. Opened in early 2022 by Krystle Dandridge, it features lounge‑style seating, book clubs, author events, subscription boxes, and nearly 99% of its inventory represents Black authors or Black characters/subjects.
West
Marcus Books — Oakland, California
One of the oldest Black‑owned bookstores in the U.S., Marcus Books has a long legacy of promoting African-American literature and culture. Despite challenges, it remains an important institution in the Bay Area.
Shop at Matter — Denver, Colorado
A Black‑owned bookstore in Denver that offers a well curated selection of Black literature, art books, children’s books, and community events. It acts as a hub for readers interested in diverse voices and community building.
Fulton Street Books & Coffee —Tulsa, OK
Funded by Onikah Asamoa‑Caesar, an educator and cultural activist, this café‑bookshop serves as a sanctuary, combining her love of books and Black liberation. It offers community, comfort, and curated literature.
International
New Beacon Books — London
Founded in 1966, New Beacon Books is the UK’s first Black publisher and specialist bookshop. It champions literature from Africa, the Caribbean, and global diasporas. Central to social and political movements. Check their website for events and open hours before visiting.
This bookstore specializes in Caribbean literature and its diasporic roots in Africa and India. Based in the Caribbean, it offers rare, out-of-print, and culturally significant works. Deeply rooted in the region, it reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving Caribbean heritage and knowledge. When you’re on the island, be sure to check their social pages or call to be sure of open and closed days. (As of this article, they are open Wednesday through Saturday).
Roving Heights Bookstore —Multiple Locations, Nigeria
If you’re going to Nigeria for Detty December, add a stop at Roving Heights to your itinerary. It’s a family-owned literary hub offering a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, and African literature. Known for its welcoming space and events, it promotes Nigerian storytelling, local authors, and a strong reading culture in the city.
Tusome Books —Winnipeg, Canada
Founded by Valerie Chelangat, this bookstore promotes intentional reading by amplifying underrepresented voices, including Black, Indigenous, queer, immigrant, and disabled authors. The store also offers book clubs, speaking engagements, and literacy programs through its foundation.
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