It’s been said that love is the greatest thing on earth.  Love heals.  Love conquers.  Love prevails.  During some of the most turmoiled times in our American history, love has been a refuge from the pain, despair, and chaos of a harsh reality.  In the Black community, the focal point of unity is love.  Love for our community, love for one another, and love for our culture.  While the reality of racism, segregation, and brutal injustices have often handicapped our social position in this country, love is universal and always rises to the top.  From slavery, to Jim Crow, to Civil Rights, to senseless killings of young Black men—Black cinema has eased our pain, gave hope, and reminded us to love.  So, what better way to celebrate Black History and Valentine’s Day than highlighting some of the greatest love stories in Black cinema?  From 1954 to 2000, these films have played pivotal roles in shaping Black culture in America.  Generation after generation, these films have produced iconic actors and actresses, groundbreaking performances, vintage fashion, timeless soundtracks—reminding us of the overall triumphs of love. 

1954—Carmen Jones starring Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte:  A superb tale of a love triangle turned tragic portrayed by two iconic Black actors who aided in breaking color barriers in cinema.  Originally an opera, the film won a Golden Globe, and Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress—the first African American to be honored in the category.  The onscreen chemistry between Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte has been a benchmark of cinematic grace, talent, and of course, capturing the essence of love.  

1972—Lady Sings the Blues starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams:  Nominated for five Academy Awards including best actress, this is tragic story of legendary jazz singer, Billie Holliday, as portrayed by Diana Ross. The story portrays the growth of Billie Holiday’s musical career, displaying her struggles with drug addiction and the cinematic embellishment of the man who loved her, Louis McKay. The power of love is seen in the unwavering dedication McKay had to Lady Day even at the height of her addiction to heroin, and how he held high the dynamic woman she was during sobriety.  A testament to love without condition. 

1988—Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy:  While categorically this is considered a comedy, the truth is that it’s a quest for love. This was Black culture’s answer to the “fairy-tale” love story—with an Eddie Murphy comedic twist.  Prince Akeem, heir to the throne of the fictional African country, “Zamunda,” comes to America to find his future queen, and what better place to find a queen than in Queens, NY!  This movie is etched in Black American culture as perhaps the most quotable movie in Black cinema.  The lighthearted Akeem is somewhat naïve to the social cues of America and the overall dating scene, but learns quickly, as he is determined to return to Zamunda with his American queen, Lisa.   

1997—Love Jones starring Nia Long and Larenz Tate: Music, poetry, and of course, love…at the wrong time.  A sensual and romantic story about a writer/poet and a photojournalist who fall for each other at the wrong time.  While the audience is mesmerized by the onscreen chemistry, we watch a love story that develops, comes to a screeching halt, renews, and eventually parts when the love for art compromises the love in their hearts. Love Jones has been deemed one of the greatest Black love stories in modern times—even though it’s over twenty years old.  

2000—Love and Basketball starring Saana Lathan and Omar Epps:  Love and Basketball is a coming-of-age story of two neighbors with a shared love for basketball—and eventually for each other.  The classic tale of boy meets girl, boy pushes girl, and unbeknownst to them, Cupid’s arrow struck their hearts. We watch the dynamic story of a love for the sport and a blossoming teenage love.  When the couple part ways during college, we witness the heartache of losing both your best friend and your love.  In the end, it was a matter of risking it all in the name of love. 

Honorable Mentions: 

While all movies cannot be named, I would be remiss if I did not mention movies that have also played a pivotal role in not only Black Cinema, but in Black pop culture:

1974—Claudine starring Diahanna Carroll and James Earl Jones  

1976—Sparkle starring Irene Cara and Phillip Michael Thomas

1984—Purple Rain starring Prince 

1989—Mo Betta Blues starring Denzel Washington 

1992—Boomerang starring Eddie Murphy and Halle Berry 

1998—How Stella Got Her Groove Back starring Angela Bassett and Taye Diggs

1999—The Best Man starring Taye Diggs and Nia Long

2002—Brown Sugar starring Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan

2010—Just Wright starring Queen Latifah and Common

2016—Moonlight starring Mahershala Ali 

This article is dedicated to my friends, family, Sorority Sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Fraternity Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.—who have all showed me their love stories, their trials and triumphs in life and still, no matter what, have chosen to let love win!