For those of you in the market for your happily ever after, it’s safe to assume you’re probably familiar with BLK—the popular dating app that prides itself on fostering “a warm, inviting, and supportive space where Black love is celebrated in all its forms.” But true love starts within ourselves, and in order to aid Black men in that quest, BLK has made it their mission to dispel the cacophony of negative myths associated with our very existence by reimagining the tribulations and triumphs of brotherhood.
Recently, the premier dating and lifestyle app hosted an a wellness retreat in Joshua Tree, Calif. exclusively for Black men, that featured explorations of identity and vulnerability, restorative sound baths and breathwork exercises, impactful workshops, and gratuitous amounts of solidarity and laughter—and I was somehow lucky enough to be extended an invitation. This multi-faceted journey of self-discovery was the brainchild of Jonathan Kirkland—BLK’s Head of Brand and Marketing—and PR extraordinaire DJ Hardy of Arxna, who manifested this lofty dream into reality.
But what all did it entail? I’m glad you asked.
At the core of this retreat were a series of workshops and discussions curated by a collection of brilliant Black men who just so happen to be revered therapists, life coaches, entrepreneurs, and authors: Aaron Bernard, whose expertise in the perils of imposter syndrome taught me how to channel my inner Jon Stewart and Barak Obama; Stevon Lewis, a gentle giant whose compassion and understanding of the intersectionality of vulnerability and sexuality were profound; Jordan Saxon; whose intimate exploration of secure attachments and love languages helped me to confront my own shortcomings; Yamonte Cooper, whose unique approach to sex and dating fostered a supportive environment for nuance and transparency; and Rahmad “R.C.” Cunningham, whose yoga training turned a group of Black dudes who thought they were in good shape into wheezing pretzels.
Throughout the course of this retreat, these insightful workshops were supplemented by activities like tarot card reading, journaling, facials and massages, group dinners, and even happy hours, which I initially found surprising, but soon realized those moments of candor were exactly what we needed. Egos and personas were cast aside in favor of opportunities to strengthen our rapport as kings. We argued over who’s the superior overall talent: Jamie Foxx or Denzel Washington, we clowned each other over our clothes and accents, but most importantly, we opened our hearts and minds to bond as Black men—intent on loving ourselves and each other despite living in a world that conspires for us to do otherwise.
In closing, BLK is much more than just a dating app—it’s spearheading a movement our community is in dire need of. And with Brotherhood Reimagined being its first foray into the wellness space, I can only imagine what the ambitious minds behind BLK have in store for the future.