STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

The Creator Of 'MEANDSOMEBODYSON' Wants The World To Know Black Love Is Alive And Well

BET spoke exclusively with the creator who has inspired over 280K Instagram followers with beautiful photos of Black couples in love.

As Black singles scroll their Instagram timelines, their belief in Black love reignites once landing on a MEANDSOMEBODYSON post. The simple yet impactful memes receive thousands of likes and compel many to leave affirming comments for themselves, others, and the happy Black couple pictured.

With over 288 thousand Instagram followers, the Black woman-led brand has superseded its mission to inspire Black men and women looking for Black love. MEANDSOMEBODYSON promotes everyday couples to uplift the single Black community. The use of ordinary people and the faceless brand logo are intentional. The goal is for everyone to see themselves within these couples.

While remaining anonymous and doing work she deems "bigger than one person," when asked what message she wants to leave in the hearts of her followers, she replied "hope."

"Hope that love is alive and well," the creator of MEANDSOMEBODYSON told BET. "The knowledge that Black love is alive and well, that it's thriving, and that it doesn't have to be unhealthy."

The ideation of MEANDSOMEBODYSON began with her love for Black people, Black life, and a personal breakup. She set out to inspire herself but found enjoyment in inspiring others.

"I didn't have in mind that it was going to be what it is today," said the former Africology and African American Studies student. "I was truly just posting things that I wanted to see. Though I am hopeful, I feel like I have my moments where I lose hope like any other single person."

In the beginning, MEANDSOMEBODYSON scoured social media to hunt everyday Black people in love. The search is more manageable now as couples submit their photos through tags and direct messages.

"The page has grown to a point where I feel like I don't have to search as much because people are submitting pictures left and right."

However, a close examination will reveal that the page is carefully curated. Each picture follows a theme in sets of three and contains Black couples performing ordinary tasks.

"The theme could be a green skirt, glasses, a hat, the background, but whatever it is, every three photos match each other," said MEANDSOMEBODYSON. "[Also], I like lifestyle and intimate content, so people outside doing whatever and sensual or close pictures. That's my formula." A fail-proof formula that continues to change the narrative of Black love.

According to their website, MEANDSOMEBODYSON is an inspirational Black love Instagram blog that serves as a safe space to celebrate the beauty, and depths of Black love, while highlighting love in all shapes, shades, and sizes.

"We are shifting the narrative, simply for the love of Black love," the website states.

The shift will soon be felt throughout the nation as MEANDSOMEBODYSON has plans to expand beyond the square frames of an Instagram post. She desires to create physical safe spaces across the country.

"I really do want to connect people in the physical realm and in real life, so having different types of events and traveling throughout the United States [is next in the near future]."

As she learns when to delegate and collaborate, MEANDSOMEBODYSON collaborated with two travel brands to host unique adventures last year. On February 4, to celebrate the brand's third anniversary, she presented an "R&B Night: Riddim & Blues Edition" in Brooklyn, NY, highlighting music throughout the African diaspora.

Although her brand is centered around love, and she aspires to host speed dating events in the future, her sole purpose with every event is to promote enjoyment.

"I love having all types of events, and sometimes I feel a lot of pressure because love is the central theme of the page, but not every event will be," said MEANDSOMEBODYSON. "I've gotten [direct messages] from people wanting refunds because they didn't find 'Somebody Son.' Even if you didn't find 'Somebody Son,' did you have a good time? That's the point."

With a surge in virtual experiences and digital connections, MEANDSOMEBODYSON plans to create a dating app that should be available for use within the next two years. The ideas under the MEANDSOMEBODYSON umbrella are plentiful.

In stride to owning a production studio, she has produced a YouTube web series titled "Black Love Stories presented by MEANDSOMEBODYSON" that explores the backstories of ten couples.

"I do want to [make more videos] in the future," said MEANDSOMEBODYSON. "I am still funding everything right now, so it's just about putting out quality content, but I would love to explore that more in the future. My ultimate goal is to own a production studio, a one-stop-shop for everything media."

As the MEANDSOMEBODYSON brand climbs in exposure and impact, the creator does experiment with the idea of revealing her identity.

"I feel like I've built [MEANDSOMEBODYSON] to the point where it is a community, and I don't think revealing myself will necessarily make me the face of the brand," she said. "But I do think that revealing myself may create different career opportunities for me because I have worked [diligently] for the last three years, and I am pretty good at what I do."

Besides a few negative comments and direct messages, the solid community she has built is reflected in the outcry of praise and success stories she receives.

"The negativity is so minuscule," said the curator. "People reach out to me saying they've manifested their boyfriend, these pictures are on their vision board, [and] they feel hope again. The comments are usually so positive that negativity doesn't really stick."

Not only does this positive feedback inspire others waiting for their Black love, but they also encourage the creator's drive and divine captions.

"Somebody messaged and said, 'I was depressed, and I came across your page, and I feel like it pulled me out of my funk,'" she said, recalling a conversation with a supporter. "Those are the type of messages that really keep me going because sometimes it's a lot of work keeping up with this Instagram page. I have my moments when I'm not posting, but then I'll come across those messages, and [I say], 'Okay, I need to start doing this again because it's inspiring somebody.'"

This article is in partnership with MEANDSOMEBODYSON.

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