On Healing Black Love
Maxine Simone Williams, Founder of We Met IRL, and Jonathan Kirkland, Head of Marketing & Brand, BLK at the “Black Love, White Flags” panel event
Photo Credit: Fabio Garcia, @wheres_fabio_
On Friday February 7th, I had the honor of speaking on a panel at Black Love, White Flags: Healing the Divide Between Black Men and Women, a powerful event dedicated to fostering understanding, respect, and emotional healing in our relationships. Hosted by the incredible Nikki Adebiyi of Bounce Black, the evening was an open and vulnerable space where singles and young professionals gathered to engage in meaningful dialogue about love, respect, and breaking generational cycles that affect how we connect with one another.
Love, Respect, and Healing: How Do We Move Forward?
The panel discussion focused on some of the most pressing issues impacting Black love today. We tackled everything from the role of love languages in communication to the impact of social media on modern dating. One of the key themes that resonated throughout the conversation was the necessity of emotional safety—creating spaces where vulnerability is not just accepted but encouraged.
As someone who has dedicated my work to fostering in-person connections through We Met IRL, I shared insights on why offline interactions are essential for deepening romantic connections. Dating apps serve a purpose, but the magic often happens when people engage face-to-face, free from the filters and carefully curated profiles that dominate digital dating spaces.
A photo of the audience at the panel, Photo Credit: Fabio Garcia, @wheres_fabio_
Surrendering Ego for Deeper Connection
One of the most powerful aspects of the event was the "White Flags" moment, where panelists and attendees alike were encouraged to symbolically surrender their egos and share a vulnerable truth. It was a reminder that healing starts with honesty—about our fears, our patterns, and our desires for love.
During the panel, I asked the audience: How is the current political climate impacting their dating decisions? The responses were eye-opening. Many attendees expressed frustration with the current political affairs in the US and how they feel it is vital to pay attention to people’s politics while dating. They also shared their issues with the transactional nature of online dating and the lack of genuine effort in getting to know people beyond the surface. This feedback reaffirmed why spaces like We Met IRL are so necessary—we need environments that prioritize intentionality over convenience.
The Path Forward
As the discussion came to a close, we were each asked to share a call to action—one step attendees could take to actively improve Black love and unity. My takeaway? Prioritize real-world connection. Whether that means attending in-person events, having deeper conversations with your partners, or simply being more present in your dating life, the effort we put in now determines the future of Black love.
Thank you again to Nikki Adebiyi for inviting me to be part of such an impactful conversation. These discussions are only the beginning, and I’m excited to continue the work of strengthening our relationships—one real-life connection at a time.
Let’s keep building. Let’s keep healing. Let’s keep loving—IRL.
#BlackLove #WeMetIRL #HealingTheDivide
Maxine, Nikki Adebiyi and Jonathan Kirkland pose
Photo Credit: Fabio Garcia, @wheres_fabio_
