

Jalen Hurts is officially engaged to his college sweetheart, Bryonna "Bry" Rivera Burrows. The buzz about an engagement first sparked on September 6, when Bry was seen sporting a huge rock on her finger after she supported her beau at the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game in São Paulo, Brazil.
Essenceshared exclusive images of the intimate proposal, which included a violinist, candles, and a beautiful backdrop of the ocean. The lovely couple was all smiles as they were hugged up and wearing matching all-white 'fits.
During his interview with Essence, the Eagles quarterback gushed about knowing he had something special with Bry. “I knew a long time ago,” he said. “I mean, to this point in my life, that’s an irreplaceable feeling. I think that’s what allowed us to get to where we are now.”
Both are relatively private and haven't said much about their engagement. However, the internet has celebrated the exciting news of Black love. So we've gathered what we know about Bry and their love story.
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
They met at the University of Alabama
Jalen and Bry both attended the University of Alabama and were involved in Greek life. Jalen is a member of Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc., and Bry is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc. The NFL heartthrob played football for the school but later transferred to the University of Oklahoma during his senior year to continue his football career.
Bry has brains and beauty
Bry's LinkedIn profile shows that she graduated from Bama in 2017 with a bachelor's in Spanish and political science. She then went back to pursue her MBA. In 2018, she became the vice president of Bama's MBA Association and was the captain of the MBA Case Team. In 2019, their team won the national SEC Championship. After graduating, she began working at IBM and is currently an AI partner.
Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for TIME
They both love philanthropy
Bry's tech career has led her to help others with the same passion. In 2022, she served as a coach for IBM's 8-week Accelerate program, which helps minorities prepare for the real world. She also spoke at Manderson Women in Business talk and a Diversity & Inclusion panel in 2021.
Jalen's Instagram page shows many examples of him giving back, especially to the communities in Philadelphia. He's worked with the KB Foundation to provide food and coats at several schools. He's also seen painting with kids and playing football with them and his teammates.
We can't wait to see what the future unfolds for Jalen and Bry. Congrats to the beautiful couple.
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Feature image by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for TIME
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole
Devale Ellis On Being A Provider, Marriage Growth & Redefining Fatherhood
In this candid episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Devale Ellis, actor, social media personality, and star of Zatima, about modern masculinity, learning to be a better husband, emotional presence in marriage, fatherhood for Black men, and leading by example.
“I Wasn’t Present Emotionally”: Devale Ellis on Marriage Growth
Devale Ellis On Learning He Was a ‘Bad Husband’
Ellis grew up believing that a man should prioritize providing for his family. “I know this may come off as misogynistic, but I feel like it’s my responsibility as a man to pay for everything,” he said, emphasizing the wise guidance passed down by his father. However, five years into his marriage to long-time partner Khadeen Ellis, he realized provision wasn’t just financial.
“I was a bad husband because I wasn’t present emotionally… I wasn’t concerned about what she needed outside of the resources.”
Once he shifted his mindset, his marriage improved. “In me trying to be of service to her, I learned that me being of service created a woman who is now willing to be of service to me.”
On Redefining Masculinity and Fatherhood
For Ellis, “being a man is about being consistent.” As a father of four, he sees parenthood as a chance to reshape the future.
“Children give you another chance at life. I have four different opportunities right now to do my life all over again.”
He also works to uplift young Black men, reinforcing their worth in a world that often undermines them. His values extend to his career—Ellis refuses to play roles that involve domestic violence or sexual assault.
On Marriage, Family Planning, and Writing His Story
After his wife’s postpartum preeclampsia, Ellis chose a vasectomy over her taking hormonal birth control, further proving his commitment to their partnership. He and Khadeen share their journey in We Over Me, and his next book, Raising Kings: How Fatherhood Saved Me From Myself, is on the way.
Through honesty and growth, Devale Ellis challenges traditional ideas of masculinity, making his story one that resonates deeply with millennial women.
For the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker peels back the layers of masculinity with candid conversations that challenge stereotypes and celebrate vulnerability. Real men. Real stories. Real talk.
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
Featured image by YouTube/xoNecole