A riveting collection of relationship chronicles will have you tuning in every Friday night to glean lessons learned and lived experiences of celebrities and everyday people on “Black Love.”

OWN’s popular series, now in its fifth season, takes viewers inside the joys and challenges of married couples.  From co-creators Codie and Tommy Oliver, the famed husband-and-wife filmmakers have a sure hit on their hands with this four-time NAACP nominated docu-series.

“Black Love” is a veritable bounty of romantic perspectives from the Black community. A perennial favorite, “Black  Love” was ranked No. 1 in its time slot across all cable with African American women age 25-54.  The ground-breaking expose airs 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.

The hour-long weekly snapshot posits itself as a presentation of real, honest, emotional, and transparent love stories.

The new season features Chance and Tabitha Brown, R&B singer Kenny Lattimore and Judge Faith Jenkins; Grammy-winner Ledisi and  husband Ron Young; singer/songwriter Tank and Zena Foster; “Greenleaf” actor Keith David and his wife Dionne; stylist Jason Bolden and interior designer Adair Curtis, plus others who will discuss topics from navigating finances, religious differences, parenting and the unexpected twists that are part of every couples’ journey.

Personally, “Black Love” is one of my favorite shows on television.  I spoke with Season 5 cast members Keith David and his wife of 20 years, Dionne Lea Williams, about the back story of their love story.

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David and Williams describe their relationship this way–

We protect our marriage, as much as we can, from the scrutiny of outsiders. We avoid negative feedback because we’re trying to do something positive for ourselves, for our family, and for younger couples who need to see longevity in marriage.  It’s also about acceptance of each other and the things that make you, you.  Sure, there are little annoyances, but are you going to nitpick all the time? Are you going to pick each other apart over the little things?  The answer is, ‘No.’ It’s about acceptance.

Regarding the impact COVID19 had on the marriage, the couple articulated challenges of being in each other’s presence for extended periods, which was quite an adjustment.

David describes himself as a workaholic, working mostly away from home for the last 15 years.  Williams said, “I had to get used to him being home. … Keith has a large personality and takes up the space in a room.  I, on the other hand, like quiet.  He’s a star and used to people doing everything for him.  When he’s home, I expect him to help out around the house.”

They confess that their three children help to balance the family household dynamics.  “They keep us accountable and we are dedicated to keeping our family together.”

Each episode seeks to answer the burning question, “What does it take to make a  marriage work?” Here’s a clip from the show.

Christy Price

Posts by Christy Price