
Pitch-A-Friend Is A Viral PowerPoint Dating Trend That Could Actually Work For You

If this is the year that you’ve decided that you’re going to, at the very least, go on a few really great dates with someone who you are truly interested in, have you mentioned that to your friends? Believe it or not, even with all of this technology that we have out here, over dating apps, social settings, or folks at work (y’all be careful with that last one, please), meeting someone special through your friends continues to reign supreme with some studies revealing that somewhere around 39 percent of individuals met their someone special that way.
Theoretically, things working out effectively in this manner make all of the sense in the world because, well, think about it — your friends know you, your friends care about you and, more times than not, that also is the case for the individual who they are trying to hook you up with. Still, I get how being set up on a semi-blind date with not much more than a “trust me” from one of my girlfriends or homies to go on might be a bit…let’s go with semi-uncomfortable. That’s why I just knew that I had to share with you a current dating trend that seems to be taking social media by storm.
It's called Pitch-A-Friend and here’s what it’s all about.
Never Heard of “Pitch-A-Friend” Before? Here’s the Gist.
I always like to give credit where credit is due so, before getting into what Pitch-A-Friend is, from what I’ve read and researched, you can thank Lucas Chaufournie (the founder of Seattle Social Club) for the initial concept and then Melissa Schipke and Ariana Brogan for seeing it on social media and giving it legs to the point where the concept is now an official platform that hosts events all over the country (and even some places that are outside of the US).
Full backstory: When Lucas first started this idea, folks would be given a few minutes to literally pitch their friend to individuals who were hanging out at local bars and breweries. Basically, they had a few moments to share why they thought their friend would be an awesome individual to date.
As Pitch-A-Friend got more sophisticated, people started doing PowerPoint presentations of their friends and the details got a bit more specific (like sharing what someone’s religious and/or political views may be as an example). In my mind, it sounds like speed dating, only with pitch decks and someone who is your wingman/wingwoman in the form of a hype man/hype woman presenting them —and yeah, on some levels, that actually sounds pretty cool.
Here's why I say so…
What Are the Benefits of Taking This Approach?
Okay, so if you choose to participate in an official Pitch-A-Friend event (meaning, you’re going to be the person to pitch one of your friends to “the masses”), you need to be prepared to present a PowerPoint presentation that is 3-5 minutes long. It should include some fun facts about your friend, a few different photos of them, and a couple of stories that will intrigue the listeners. It’s a good idea to keep in mind that you are to present your friend in the best possible light which means that inside jokes and backhanded compliments aren’t appropriate — remember, there’s a huge chance that the folks at these Pitch-A-Friend meetings don’t know you or the person you are talking about, so you shouldn’t be trying to low-key roast anyone.
And what are the benefits of this dating take? The first thing that comes to my mind is since you have to make a formal presentation, that gives you time to really think about what to say about your friend. As opposed to just bringing them up to someone and saying something like, “She’s good people” or “He’s someone I think you would like,” you have to ponder what the clearly defined traits, qualities and details that would make them seem really appealing to someone else. And when it comes to a formal Pitch-A-Friend event, another thing that I like is you’re not just attempting to hook your friend up with one person in particular — there is a room full of individuals who may show interest.
I must admit, though, that when it comes to a Pitch-A-Friend event, two things that I considered to be a potential “con” are 1) if you and/or your friend aren’t one for crowds, you or they may not want to go that route and/or 2) the event may not have a lot of people in the room that you and/or your friend would even want to pitch or be pitched to because the demographic isn’t y’all’s exact preference (if you know what I mean).
And that’s why I wanted to provide another approach to all of this (if you’re interested…).
Perhaps Throw Your Own Pitch-A-Friend Event. Online.
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Giphy1. Hop on a platform that hosts online parties. One way to do an event like this from the comfort and convenience of your own home is to host a virtual version of it. Some sites like Remo and Webex are able to accommodate hundreds of people which means that they also charge a “nice” amount (read more about that here) to do so. Meanwhile, other platforms like Zoom Events and rsvpify are super reasonable. Then, once you know which platform you want to use, you can alert people to what you are doing via email or social media. Just make sure to pay close attention to how many people each platform is prepared to accommodate; that will help you to decide how you want to promote everything.
2. Consider having a theme. Something that can make the event even more interesting is to have a theme. It could be centered around newly single people, folks who have birthdays during a certain time of the year, or even folks who may be looking for a long-distance relationship (because yes, some people enjoy traveling). You could even do things like request that everyone come dressed in a certain color. The sky really is the limit.
3. Have some sort of icebreaker. Even though everyone is participating from home, they still might be (initially) nervous. So, have some sort of icebreaker to put your online audience more at ease. Maybe ask everyone to share their first name and favorite R&B song along with why — you know, something that will showcase their personality without them feeling pressured in the process.
4. Put together some clear guidelines. Since there’s a pretty good chance that no one else in your world has attended a Pitch-A-Date event before, you definitely need to have some clear guidelines. This would include how long presentations should be (no longer than 3-5 minutes is good), what kind of content should be featured, and how folks can contact the individuals who they are interested in once the pitches have been given.
As far as content goes, I personally think that deal-breakers are one of the things that should be shared because, for instance, I have seen way too many Pop the Balloons (for instance) where people will say that they don’t want to be in a long-distance relationship…even though they traveled to be on the show (what in the world?). And yes, require that all of this be a PowerPoint presentation. It’s easier to process and remember what was shared that way.
5. Offer prizes. Something else that can be fun is to offer up prizes for things like who made the best presentation, who seems like the most awesome type of friend, and who dressed to impress the most. Because who doesn’t like to attend events where prizes are involved?
____
A friend bragging on their friend in hopes of them finding true love (or at least someone to enjoy some Mongolian beef with?)? I don’t see how anything could be wrong with that — which is why I decided to shout Pitch-A-Friend out.
Give it a shot. Let us know how it all turned out.
On the pitching and dating end.
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It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
'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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Feature image screenshot/ xoNecole YouTube
There’s caviar, and then there’s Black-owned caviar. With the recent explosion of #CaviarTikTok, this luxury delicacy seems to be everywhere these days. I can’t scroll through my feed without seeing our favorite celebs and influencers diving headfirst into extravagant caviar spreads.
From Rihanna pairing her caviar with chicken nuggets (I wonder if our Fenty queen shares with RZA and Riot Rose or if this is just for mama) to Bethenny Frankel educating us on caviar with her series "Caviar University," there’s just no escaping it.
And let’s not forget the elite king himself, DeAndre Brown, indulging in fried chicken and caviar! From videos with caviar-topped burgers, potato latkes, deviled eggs, and pasta dishes—folks are topping everything with caviar. Yet, I had not come across any Black-owned caviar brands until I discovered Caviar Dream.
My Introduction Into Caviar
I started off eating caviar in undergrad on top of sushi, exploring with a variety of roe and tobiko but as an adult, I knew I was ready to try something a little more refined. The first time I fell in love with caviar was in grad school at a southern Italian restaurant in Flatiron.
I tried an appetizer that featured caviar on bruschetta, served with thick garlic bread and burrata cheese, and from that moment, I was hooked. That has become my favorite way to enjoy caviar next to this filet mignon crostini appetizer that I served recently at a dinner party.
Everything You Need To Know About Caviar Dream
Caviar Dream
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
Caviar Dream is the first nationally distributed Black- and woman-owned caviar business, redefining how people experience caviar. Founded by Kendra Anderson, a Chicago-based chef and sommelier, the company’s mission is to make caviar more accessible and inclusive, breaking down barriers and demystifying this delicacy.
What Caviar I Tried
Caviar Dream Kaluga Hybrid ($105-$420 depending on the ounce)
How I Experienced The Caviar:
For this review, I opted for a more traditional approach by pairing Caviar Dream's Kaluga Hybrid with crème fraîche, blinis, and my favorite Black-owned champagne, Le KOOL Champagne by Robert Kool Bell.
My Caviar Dream spread
Courtesy of Yasmine Jameelah
My Honest Review:
I do not say this lightly - this was by far the best caviar I’ve ever had in my life. It was buttery, had no aftertaste, and truly felt as luxurious as it looked.
Prior to this, my favorite caviar was Imperial Caviar. I’ve tried many brands, from well-known to affordable, while recreating my favorite decadent appetizers at home or enjoying caviar bumps at parties with my friends and they were my favorite until now.
Caviar Dream boasts that chefs are obsessed with this versatile hybrid, which tastes more expensive than it actually is—and they were right. This buttery caviar would pair well with any recipe, especially if you’re looking to impress someone or even treat yourself.
As a Black woman, a business owner, and someone who understands that an extension of financial wellness is circulating our dollars, I recognize the importance of incorporating Black-owned businesses throughout every aspect of my life. From my skincare to my favorite sustainable wine, my bank, and even indulgent experiences like caviar, it matters.
As we celebrate culinary innovation and expand our palates, let’s also take the extra step to support Black-owned businesses while doing it. So the next time you’re tempted by the allure of caviar, order from Caviar Dream—it just might become your new favorite.
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