Aisle Tell You What • Love Black History

Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson was a complex and contradictory figure, at once a ruthless gangster and a Robin Hood-esque protector of his Harlem community. Born in 1905, he rose to power during the Prohibition era, running numbers rackets and battling rival gangs for control of Harlem's lucrative underworld. However, he was also the husband to Mayme Hatcher Johnson, and their marriage provides...

We reflect on the intricacies of renowned couturier Ann Lowe's love life, exploring the romantic threads woven into the fabric of her extraordinary career. From her early days navigating the challenges of being an African American designer in the early 20th century to the pinnacle of her success, Lowe's personal relationships played a significant role in shaping her creative journey. Research: htt...

Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican-born political leader, publisher, journalist, and orator who played a pivotal role in the Black Nationalist and Pan-African movements during the early 20th century. As the co-founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914, Garvey advocated for the economic, political, and cultural empowerment of people of African descent worldwide.  However, most...

Jim Brown, the legendary running back for the Cleveland Browns, the movie star, and the activist, was one of the most dominant athletes of all time. But he had an extremely complicated love life, marked by two marriages, a few engagements, and many allegations of abuse. Research and Resources: Out of Bounds by Jim Brown - https://tinyurl.com/26sdvjy8   Jim Brown: The Fierce Life of an American Her...

Michael Vick and his wife, Kijafa, met in January 2002 at a nightclub in Virginia. Michael was already a professional football player for the Atlanta Falcons, while Kijafa was still in college. The couple's relationship blossomed over the years, and they supported each other through thick and thin. In 2007, Michael was arrested and convicted of dogfighting charges and Kijafa stood by him through t...

Marcus Allen was an extraordinary running back that received basically every major award within his field. His wholesome persona was solidified with the 8 year marriage of actress/model Kathryn and then the relationship with the mother of his son, Lauren Hunter. Let's reflect. Research and Resources: Marcus: The Autobiography of Marcus Allen - https://tinyurl.com/4zcanseh "The Greatness of Raiders...

Donald Driver was one of the most successful wide receivers for the Green Bay Packers. Maybe you know him as the winner of the 14th season of Dancing With The Stars. Either way, it’s the perfect time to reminisce on his love story, one that may be a bit of anomaly to the ones you might expect from an athlete. Research and Resources: Driven: From Homeless to Hero, My Journeys On and Off Lambeau Fie...

It's time for another Aisle Tell You, Too. On the last Monday of the month, ATYW provides context to the comments and questions left on the love stories from earlier in the month. So let's get into the inquiries and thoughts around Deion Sanders and Walter Payton's romances. Aisle Tell You What is a deep dive at some of the most epic and memorable weddings and marriages throughout Black History. O...

Walter Payton is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. He played running back for the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons, from 1975 to 1987, even winning a Super Bowl with them. However, despite his family-friendly persona, he had flaws in his marriage and romances, most of which were revealed after his death in 1999. Research and Resources: Sweetness: The Enigmatic Life o...

Coach Prime or Deion Sanders is a legendary NFL and MLB player who is known for his flashy style and his ability to play two sports at the highest level. But behind the spotlight, Sanders has also had a complex and sometimes tumultuous love life. In this episode, we'll take a look at Sanders' relationships, from his two marriages to his current engagement. We'll also explore how his professional c...

In a special Labor Day/Bey Day Aisle Tell You What, I wanted to share with you a sweet love story from today that was four years in the making -- the romance of Sierra and Marquise. Congratulations to the happy couple! Engagement Photographer: Tanya Wideman Photography - http://tinyurl.com/2dvdedn9 Engagement Floral/Arch Designer: Blooms and Balloons Atlanta - http://tinyurl.com/2ewsrmpr Aisle Tel...

On the last Monday of the month, ATYW provides context to the comments and questions left on the love stories from earlier in the month. Also, it’s an opportunity to answer any frequently asked questions, too. Because truly, between the episodes on Marvin Gaye, Julius Erving, and Pam Grier, there was more than plenty to talk about. Aisle Tell You What is a deep dive at some of the most epic and me...

When you think of blaxploitation films, you have to think of her. Her on-screen performances in films such as "Coffy" and "Foxy Brown” made her the original baddie, if you think about it. She would evolve into a well-rounded actress, working with the likes of Spike Lee, Quintin Tarantino, Paul Newman, and the Weinstein brothers. But before she was the woman we all know and love, she was Pammy, a g...

You know of Julius "Dr. J" Erving as this basketball phenom and you probably remember a little bit of his love story but his life is so much more than that. This week, we’re reflecting on the moments that led him down the aisle and what happened after he said “I do.” Research and Resources: Dr. J: The Autobiography by Julius Erving & Karl Taro Greenfeld - https://tinyurl.com/5ydkdj7w "Reaching...

Stevie Wonder is an icon who has won countless awards and accolades for his contributions to the music industry. While his music is undoubtedly his greatest legacy, his personal life has also garnered interest from fans and the media alike. Over the years, Stevie Wonder has been married three times and has had several romantic relationships. Let's reminisce on them all. Research and Resources: Sig...

Marvin Gaye was such a talented musician and singer known for his soulful, sensual, and romantic music. However, his personal life was not always as harmonious as his songs. Marvin had two marriages: one to Anna Gordy and the other to Janis Hunter -- both of which ended in divorce. In addition to that, there were other relationships that definitely impacted and heavily influenced his life. We’re g...

The love stories of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard are intimately intertwined with their time as Supremes and beyond. They were all drawn to men who saw them outside of what they were to the rest of the world, but how their respective relationships took form varied. References & Resources: To learn more about these couples, look into the following: “Diana Ross:: A Biography” by...

Motown founder Berry Gordy was married three times, had eight kids by six different women. But that was and is because Berry absolutely loves women. He mentioned that “women had been the inspiration of his life since childhood” and that notion contributed to the love stories in his life. References & Resources: To learn more about these couples, look into the following: To Be Loved: The Music,...

In honor of the recent awards, I wanted to look at the three people that have basically built and contributed to what Black Entertainment Television has become throughout the last forty plus years: Robert L. Johnson, Sheila Johnson, and Debra Lee. We will look at their lives before BET, the impact the channel held on their personal relationships, and how they were affected then and now. TW: abuse,...

James Brown really had a life, didn't he? When you look at his career as an entertainer, you see a pioneer in music. But when you examine his marriages, relationships, and the families he created, you might learn a lot more. On this episode of Aisle Tell You What, we are discussing his marriages to wives Velma Warren, Deidre Jenkins, Adrienne Rodriguez, and Tomi Rae Hynie. TW: abuse, domestic viol...

You wouldn’t be able to have a white boy on your roster that feeds you pasta and lobster if it wasn’t for Mildred and Richard Loving. Fifty-six years ago on June 12, 1967, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that interracial marriage could not be prohibited by state, which meant thousands and even millions of relationships to come could be legally bound.  In honor of it being Loving week, let’s lo...

We know of Louis Armstrong the jazz musician but probably not about his four marriages. Over his lifetime, Louis was married to Daisy Parker, Lil Hardin, Alpha Smith, and Lucille Wilson. Aisle Tell You What is a deep dive at some of the most epic and memorable weddings and marriages throughout Black History. Our journey down memory lane isn't meant with malintent, but from a place of nostalgia, in...

One thing about boxer Jack Johnson, he was going to have a wife. And sometimes wives. And whives. He was an extremely interesting man as his love interests usually threatened his livelihood, but yet, he persisted. Please enjoy this episode about the seven women he called his wives. Aisle Tell You What is a deep dive at some of the most epic and memorable weddings and marriages throughout Black His...

I had to give you a Mother's Day episode this weekend, Aisle Runners! Now, this isn't probably what you're expecting or maybe it is! This week's Aisle Tell You What is about four different stories all around a mother's love. How her love transcends will vary from each story but you will enjoy all four. The stories shared are about Chubby Checker, Catharina Lodders, and mom Eartle Evans Todd Bridge...

Harry Belafonte was an acclaimed vocalist, actor, and activist. Since his passing on April 25, 2023, many have given their tributes and shared fond memories about Mr. Belafonte. When most reflect on his life, they see the successes… but fail to remember how a lot of this came at the expense of his family. Today, we’re going to look at Mr. Harry Belafonte in a different lens where we examine his cl...