Ladies, how y'all feeling? Fellas, y'all alright?
Between B. Smith's death, Kobe and GiGi's memorial, anticipating the upcoming election, and worrying about the damn coronavirus, it's safe to say that February was a rough year for us all.
While I may not be able to stop your co-worker from getting on your last nerve or your neighbor's dog from sh*tting on your lawn, I can give you a list of Black AF Netflix titles to help get you through the month.
Because binge-watching Netflix with unlimited wine is self-care (and self-care is essential) here's a list of titles to get you started:
Harlem Nights (March 1)
Harlem Nights
Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, and Redd Foxx. Name a better trio… I'll wait. Featuring Lela Rochon, Jasmine Guy, Arsenio Hall, the late Charlie Murphy, this classic late 80s-comedy is the boost of throwback flavor you didn't know you needed this month.
Space Jam (March 1)
Space Jam
Before LeBron and D Wade, there was MJ and Bugs (Bunny, that is). I think it's safe to say that no '90s baby's childhood was complete without this film somewhere in the mix and you can get all the nostalgia by streaming this throwback classic on Netflix right now.
The Story of God With Morgan Freeman: Season 2 (March 1)
National Geographic
I'ma let y'all finish, but Morgan Freeman is the greatest voice-over narrator of all-time, and the actor used his killer commentary skills to star in seasons one and two of the National Geographic documentary series, The Story Of God.
Freedom Writers (March 1)
Grab a box of tissues and your favorite blanket to watch a young Mario star alongside actress Hilary Swank in this 2007 real life-inspired drama about a troubled group of students who find peace in their pens.
Always a Bridesmaid (March 1)
BET
This BET original screenplay by Yvette Nicole Brown tells a story that many single women over 30 know well and was even nominated for an NAACP award for Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie.
Shawshank Redemption (March 1)
Last September, this Stephen King-inspired film celebrated its 25th anniversary after being nominated for seven Oscars in 1995 and sadly, it still reflects the flawed criminal justice system that is in place today.
Mo Money (March 1)
Amazon Prime
Written by and starring Damon Wayans, this goofy rom-com was originally released in 1992 and also features Stacy Dash, Bernie Mac, and Marlon Wayans.
Cop Out (March 1)
Cop Out
Originally released in 2010, this film stars Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan star as NYPD detectives who get mixed up in a world of trouble while trying to sell a rare baseball card.
Spenser Confidential (March 6)
Starring Winston Duke, Mark Wahlberg, and Iliza Shlesinger, this Netflix original comedy-thriller has violence, dirty cops, and political conspiracy theories, making this the perfect film for the action movie buff in your life.
On My Block: Season 3 (March 11)
The trailer for season three of On My Block dropped and it is clear that sh*t has officially gotten real for our Freeridge fam. Making its way on the platform on March 11th, the series promises even more twists and turns as the teenagers come into their own throughout the upcoming season.
Black Lightning: Season 3 (March 17)
The CW
The only thing missing from this Black AF list is our favorite Black AF superhero household, the Pierce family. The third season of the CW series will be available to stream on March 17th.
All American: Season 2 (March 17)
The CW
Season 2 of The CW's All-American came to an end last month but luckily for fans, they can indulge in all of the high school football drama in this Taye Diggs-led sitcom all over again on Netflix March 17th.
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (March 20)
While Madam C.J. Walker is wildly known for as the mother of Black hair products, she was much more than a beautician and Netflix's latest original four-part limited series gives us a glimpse into the life of the wealthiest Black woman in America in the early 1900s. With an all-star cast of entertainers like Octavia Spencer, Blair Underwood, Tiffany Haddish, and Bill Bellamy, Self Made is the Black AF biopic we didn't know we were missing.
Uncorked (March 27)
Netflix
Written and directed by Prentice Penny (Insecure), this Netflix original stars Niecy Nash, Courtney B. Vance, and Mamoudou Athie in a story about a Memphis man whose dreams of being a Master Sommelier are often clouded by his father's expectations to carry on the family BBQ business.
Featured image by Harlem Nights.
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Well, the next time we met up, she told me she had met someone and was moving to Houston to live with him. Imagine my surprise and concern. Later, I’d find out that this decision, like so many other elements of their relationship, flowed naturally and organically. Their whole partnership has been full of peace and vulnerability.
Fast forward to today’s conversation, they’re still living together, celebrating four years of marriage, and planning to create a family. And while this stage of their story sounds generally normal, the way they got there is nothing but. Check out the "How We Met" feature below to see how a couple who never spoke on the phone and lived in different states ended up in a loving marriage full of ease, art, and authenticity.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Wicks and Will Ford
Walk me through your ‘How We Met’ story.
Amanda: We met on Instagram (laughs). He followed me first, and I followed back because he does art, and I was intrigued by that. Honestly, we followed each other for a while before we connected. But I remember one day I saw a post where he had on a Martin t-shirt that I liked, and that sparked our conversation. He ended up telling me he made the shirt and actually mailed me one. So when I got it, I made a post wearing it, and that’s where the conversation started. Since that day we’ve communicated every day since.
Will: Yeah, I initially saw her on a short-hair Instagram page and followed her because I thought she was attractive. I actually showed her to my co-workers on one of our monthly outings as an example of my “type” – something I had never done. But one thing I will say is, I noticed she had on a Nina Simone shirt in one of her photos, that’s what got me. It showed she had more depth.
I guess that answers my next question. Did you have an initial attraction to each other?
Will: (Laughs) Yeah, I did.
Amanda: For me, no. I just wasn’t looking at him through that lens. I didn’t follow him because he was attractive. I don’t follow people online because of that. I actually remember a time when we were going back and forth, and I was like, “Aye, you kinda cute.” It was a specific moment. Once I started looking through his page more often, I started to view him that way, but it still was more of an acknowledgment. We really connected primarily because of our creative interests.
So, how did it go to the next level?
Amanda: I was in Nashville, and he was in Houston. But I’m somebody where if I feel like doing something, I’m going to do it. I had been meaning to go to Houston for a while to see a friend, so I felt like it was the perfect combination of a circumstance. We had been talking a lot, and I knew I liked him as a person and really wanted to meet him, but of course, I was aware of the idea that it could blossom into more. I remember I sent him a text saying, “Would you think I was crazy if I pulled up to Houston?”
Photo courtesy of Amanda Wicks and Will Ford
What was your reply? Did you think she was crazy?
Will: In my mind, I was like, I don’t know. (Laughs) I wanted her to, though, so I wasn’t going to say yeah. It was a little wild, but I encouraged it.
Okay, so tell me about the date.
Amanda: I don’t know if you’d call it our first “date,” but the first time we met, we went to a skating rink. I was a little nervous about meeting him in person. Like, what if we don’t have chemistry – that was in the back of my head a little. But I brought my friend with me as a buffer, and thank God I did because he was so quiet the whole night. I literally can’t think of one thing he said the entire time. But the saving grace was that we had built a rapport. We reconnected the following night and were together until 5 a.m. – just sitting there talking. We ended up spending the whole weekend together.
Will: I’m socially awkward if I don’t know you. Also, before the date, I didn’t know what she sounded like or anything because, that’s another thing, we hadn’t talked on the phone. (They both really don’t like phone calls, so everything was through texts at this point.) I guess I could say I was kinda nervous, too. I had never met someone through social media, and then here I was, meeting her in person at a skating rink. I hadn’t skated in years, I was hoping I didn’t fall. But we had just been talking so much that I was open to it.
What made you want to take that risk?
Will: She has a level of authenticity that I’ve never seen in any other woman before, and once I saw her, it solidified that. I knew I wanted her around.
Amanda: I don’t think it was anything specific. It’s not hard for me to connect with people. But there were no red flags. We align across the board. That was different. We really connect on how we see the world.
"She has a level of authenticity that I’ve never seen in any other woman before, and once I saw her, it solidified that. I knew I wanted her around."
Photo courtesy of Amanda Wicks and Will Ford
Out of curiosity, what are your love languages?
Amanda: I connect with all of them. I think it just depends on what I’ve been lacking. I appreciate words of affirmation because I’m so big on actions that I like those bold statements of love, and of course, I appreciate quality time. The older I get, the more I appreciate physical touch, but that’s not something I need. With receiving gifts, I like thoughtfulness, and I like giving thoughtful gifts, too. But acts of service is for sure my biggest one. I love when someone considers me and makes my life easier. That speaks to me most.
"I love when someone considers me and makes my life easier. That speaks to me most."
Will: I think it all depends on how I’m feeling, too. But probably also acts of service. I like how Amanda will buy me deodorant when I run out (laughs). She just does so much all the time to show that I’m thought of.
At what point in your connection did y’all have the “what are we” conversation?
Will: I don’t think we ever had that convo. We never defined anything, we just kinda went with how it was going. However, I knew I wanted it to be more serious when I went to visit her. She had been coming to Houston once a month, and I went to Florida (she was there for work) to see her. I realized I felt comfortable coming into her space, too. That gave me that last little bit of whatever I needed.
Amanda: Yeah, I can’t say I had a defined moment like that. But again, as we had more and more interactions, there were just no red flags. The more we thought about it, the more we realized no matter where we went relationship-wise, we were adamant about being a part of each other’s lives. We never had the “talking to other people” conversation or anything. But we did both understand we weren’t going anywhere. Eventually, it graduated to convos around building a life together, but even that was over six months in. I just liked him as a person.
Have there been any negative revelations that your partnership and marriage have taught you about yourself?
Amanda: I’ve always felt that partnership is supposed to make the other person’s life easier. For me, it was a struggle to let someone help me in all the ways I didn’t really know I needed help. As I started having less capacity, I had to realize that it doesn't work anymore. It was hard for me to acknowledge and ask for help. I think that’s something I am still coming to terms with, even with other relationships in my life.
Will: I think I’m learning and still learning how to get out of my head. I’m the kind of person who always has to visualize stuff before it happens. And this relationship is the first thing that I don’t do that with. Of course, we plan stuff, but I know it’s gonna be good regardless. It allows me to stay in the moment. If I can do that with this, which is the most important thing to me, why can’t I do that with other things?
Photo courtesy of Amanda Wicks and Will Ford
What challenges have you faced together?
Will: For me, the preconceived challenge was living together. I’ve never lived with a woman before. Even in my previous relationship, it was long-distance. I’m also the type of person that likes my space, but as soon as she got here, that was out the window. It was so smooth it made me feel stupid for questioning it.
Amanda: I’m grateful to say we don’t necessarily have challenges between each other together. But we have been struggling with infertility and health issues. Our biggest challenge thus far is trying to get pregnant. Even articulating that makes me realize I’m grateful it hasn’t caused a rift between us. I think we have been able to face it in a healthy way. But that’s an example of how having someone else there can be helpful. I was so functional as a full-blown individual doing everything by myself.
So, in my head, I don’t need anyone, but having someone there who is happy to support me has taught me it’s okay to welcome that. It’s made us stronger because it’s taught us how we both function under duress – it’s good to know it’s not terrible (laughs).
"Our biggest challenge thus far is trying to get pregnant. Even articulating that makes me realize I’m grateful it hasn’t caused a rift between us. I think we have been able to face it in a healthy way."
What are some of the shared values that are important to your relationship?
Will: How we see life, what we’re here for, and how you’re supposed to treat people. It sounds really simple, but it’s not as common as you think.
Amanda: We value being really good people – without strings. We both don’t value money, but we value stability. So we don’t have to endure the “why are you not hustling” arguments. We were both stable people individually, and we came together. Also, we both value meaningful connections, alone time, reflection, and family. That guides us in what we do and how we build a life.
Finally, what is your favorite thing about each other?
Amanda: I’ll say one of my favorite things about him is that he’s brilliant. I view myself as a smart person, but in my head, he can do what I’m doing ten times faster. There are times I want to push myself to do stuff, and I’ll just ask him because I know he can do it. It’s incredible.
Will: My favorite thing about her is how people see her. Being a witness to how important she is to other people’s lives is amazing. Standing to the side and seeing how she affects them is really special.
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Feature image courtesy of Amanda Hicks and Will Ford
