Los Angeles, October 14, 2024 – The 2024 Black Love Summit, which took place this past weekend from Friday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, Oct.13, ended with a transformative three-day celebration of Black love, relationships, family, and personal growth.
Hosted by Black Love, the groundbreaking LA-based Black-owned media company dedicated to celebrating and amplifying Black love, founded by Tommy and Codie Elaine Oliver, the summit featured a dynamic lineup of actors, influencers, creatives, and thought leaders, leaving attendees inspired and empowered.
Codie Elaine Oliver reflected on the summit’s success: “Every year, the Black Love Summit grows from a storytelling standpoint. I was overjoyed seeing so many beautiful Black couples AND singles in attendance who commented to me just how meaningful the experience was to them. The Black Love Summit is not just romantic love—it’s community, friendship, and personal growth. We’re proud to continue this mission and are so grateful to and overwhelmed by the love from everyone who made this year’s event unforgettable.”
The summit kicked off on Friday, Oct. 11, with an intimate VIP dinner, where speakers, sponsors, and VIP ticket holders gathered to connect, share stories, and set the tone for an empowering weekend to come. This exclusive event created space for attendees to deepen relationships and celebrate the beauty and diversity of Black love.
Saturday, Oct. 12, offered a full day of thought-provoking panel discussions, including a powerful conversation between Emmy® Award-winning actress Kerry Washington in conversation with journalist Jemele Hill on Voting As An Act of Love. The pair explored the balance between fear and love in the context of the upcoming election and the need to love yourself enough to be an active participant in the outcome.
Highlights of the day included:
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We Don’t Always Agree with Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe: This insightful session brought the couple’s new podcast to life, offering Black Love Summit attendees a behind-the-scenes look at their “perfectly imperfect” marriage and the lessons they’ve learned in navigating their differences.
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Vulnerability As a Superpower, presented in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, featured filmmaker Nneka Onuorah, author Willie Greene (WE THE URBAN), and TV host/podcaster Kamie Crawford. Moderated by psychologist Raquel C. Martin, Ph.D., this discussion illuminated how embracing vulnerability has become a tool for empowerment and inspiration.
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The Mama’s Den Podcast Live brought together Grammy-award winning artist Melanie Fiona, author Ashley Chea, entrepreneur Felicia LaTour, and Black Love founder Codie Elaine Oliver for a heartfelt conversation about ways in which they have worked to seek or even build community in times when they have felt isolated as women and mothers.
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Father Noir, moderated by Black Love founder Tommy Oliver, featured a deep conversation on Black fatherhood between actors Cory Hardrict and Lil Rel Howery. The three fathers were very honest about what it means to be a father from their unique vantage points.
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Other notable conversations included To Bae or Not to Bae featuring Malcolm Mays and Gail Bean, She Taught Love, presented by Anscape, featuring Arsema Thomas, and Family, Romance, and Bel Air, which featured Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, and Simone Joy Jones discussing how the hit show Bel Air portrays Black love across generations.
The summit concluded with a wellness experience at Black Love’s headquarters in Playa Vista, in partnership with Tai Beauchamp under her Morning Mindset with Tai brand. This free event offered guests a moment of reflection, mindfulness, and self-care complete with affirmations, breathwork, a walk, a workout, and a sound bath.
The 2024 Black Love Summit also featured activations from prominent partners, including Amazon MGM Studios, Cash App, and Andscape, as well as a marketplace showcasing Black-owned businesses, presented by Square. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with community-focused organizations like WalkGoodLA, Creatricity, and Toasted Life, aligning with Black Love’s mission to foster connection and solidarity within the Black community.
