2nd Time Around! 6 Black Couples Who Split But Reconciled

Love doesn’t always follow a straight path. Sometimes, it takes a detour before finding its way back. Everyone can agree that there will be some downtimes in relationships. For some couples, conflicts can be too much and they decide to go their separate ways. But a breakup doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road. Let’s take a look at six Black couples who called it quits only to spin the block again.

1. Ryan Destiny and Keith Powers

Source: Leon Bennett

Ryan Destiny, 30, recently confirmed that she and Keith Powers, 32, have rekindled their relationship. Dishing on their romance, Destiny told People in Feburary that they are “best friends” before professing her love for him.

She said, “I just love him so much and I just appreciate him every step of the way. He’s such a cheerleader for me, as I am for him. It just means everything. We’re just best friends—you know, we’re more than best friends.”

The news comes three years after People magazine reported their breakup in 2022, which tore up the hearts of their fans. At the time, the couple had been dating for four years and had become a favorite for many. 

A source told People that the two would still be close friends but were going to be “taking time to focus on themselves and their emerging careers.”

Around spring 2023, they were seen out publicly on numerous occasions. However, they never confirmed if they were dating again until recently. 

SEE ALSO

• Terrence Howard Bashed For Rejecting Marvin Gaye Biopic Over Gay Kiss Scene
• Protected: The Sound Of Movement: Ledisi Reflects On The Power Of Protest Music And Self-Love In ‘The Crown’
• Boop, There It Is! Tony Nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers Is Making History As Broadway’s First Black Betty Boop — And She’s Just Getting Started [Exclusive]
• Celebrity Hairstylist Dee Michelle Talks Hair Health & Her Invisible K-Tip Method
• Gym Etiquette 101: 10 Rules Every Respectful Member Should Follow

3. Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade

Jamie McCarthy

Gabrielle Union, 52, and Dwyane Wade, 43, were also able to get their happy ending after going through a rough patch. They began dating in 2009, two years after they first met. But in early 2013, their busy schedules started to affect their relationship and they decided to take a break.

During that break, however, Wade had a fling with another woman, which resulted in the birth of his son, Xavier Wade, in November 2013. While the news was devastating to Union, the actress decided to work things out with the now-retired NBA player. The two got engaged in December 2013 and by August the next year, they had gotten hitched. 

Union opened up about the years she struggled with fertility and how she endured eight or nine miscarriages. So, the couple chose another route. In 2018, they welcomed their daughter, Kaavia James Wade, via surrogate.

Wade has two other children from his previous marriage to Siohvaughn Funches. He had his eldest son, Zaire, and his transgender daughter, Zaya, before he went on to have Xavier and Kaavia. 

RELATED CONTENT: Gabrielle Union Finally Ends ‘Trauma Response’ Of Splitting Bills 50/50 With Dwyane Wade—Best X Reactions!

SEE ALSO

• Terrence Howard Bashed For Rejecting Marvin Gaye Biopic Over Gay Kiss Scene
• Protected: The Sound Of Movement: Ledisi Reflects On The Power Of Protest Music And Self-Love In ‘The Crown’
• Boop, There It Is! Tony Nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers Is Making History As Broadway’s First Black Betty Boop — And She’s Just Getting Started [Exclusive]
• Celebrity Hairstylist Dee Michelle Talks Hair Health & Her Invisible K-Tip Method
• Gym Etiquette 101: 10 Rules Every Respectful Member Should Follow

4. Sterling K. Brown and Ryan Michelle Bathe

Source: Cindy Ord/VF25 / Getty

Actors Sterling K. Brown, 48, and Ryan Michelle Bathe, 48, have been married since 2006, but their history goes back to college. They were living in the same dorm and were cast in the same play together at Stanford University. They dated on and off throughout college before officially calling it quits in 1998 after they graduated. 

Three and a half years passed when the This Is Us star realized that Bathe was the love of his life. He searched for her and they reconnected. Then Brown met up with Bathe on her daily jog and professed his love for her. And, surprisingly, she reciprocated her feelings for him!

The couple decided to get back together and eloped in 2006. They are now the parents of two children. In 2011, they welcomed their son, Andrew, and in 2015, they had their second son, Amaré. 

SEE ALSO

• Terrence Howard Bashed For Rejecting Marvin Gaye Biopic Over Gay Kiss Scene
• Protected: The Sound Of Movement: Ledisi Reflects On The Power Of Protest Music And Self-Love In ‘The Crown’
• Boop, There It Is! Tony Nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers Is Making History As Broadway’s First Black Betty Boop — And She’s Just Getting Started [Exclusive]
• Celebrity Hairstylist Dee Michelle Talks Hair Health & Her Invisible K-Tip Method
• Gym Etiquette 101: 10 Rules Every Respectful Member Should Follow

5. Winnie Harlow and Kyle Kuzma

Source: Tim P. Whitby / Getty

Model Winnie Harlow, 30, and Milwaukee Bucks NBA player Kyle Kuzma, 29, also had a rumored rift in their romance before giving their love another try. They began dating in 2020, after Kuzma sent Harlow a DM the year prior—which the model never saw—and then sent another one in 2020. By April of that year, Harlow had moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles to be with Kuzma.

But in August 2021, TMZ reported that Kuzma called it quits with Harlow. According to the report, the breakup was amicable. However, it seems the two couldn’t stay away from each other for long because they were spotted months later walking hand in hand in New York City.

The two stayed together for years posting sweet Instagram pics together and even got matching tattoos.

But Kuzma took their relationship to the next level last month and proposed. He planned an elegant trip to Turks and Caicos during Valentine’s Day weekend. There, he read a poem, popped the question, and presented her with a 8.5-carat ring that he spent three months designing.

Harlow said yes, but there was one more surprise! Kuzma hadn’t just made the trip for them…he also made sure both of their friends and families were there to celebrate their special moment.

SEE ALSO

• Terrence Howard Bashed For Rejecting Marvin Gaye Biopic Over Gay Kiss Scene
• Protected: The Sound Of Movement: Ledisi Reflects On The Power Of Protest Music And Self-Love In ‘The Crown’
• Boop, There It Is! Tony Nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers Is Making History As Broadway’s First Black Betty Boop — And She’s Just Getting Started [Exclusive]
• Celebrity Hairstylist Dee Michelle Talks Hair Health & Her Invisible K-Tip Method
• Gym Etiquette 101: 10 Rules Every Respectful Member Should Follow

6. Big Sean and Jhené Aiko

Source: PATRICK KOVARIK / Getty

Big Sean, 36, and Jhené Aiko, 36, have been more than just lovers throughout their relationship. They are also friends, music collaborators, and now, parents. But it took a journey to get here.

The two first connected in 2012. They went to a Lakers game together after Sean invited her out. However, the “date” was considered a friendly one since Aiko was in a relationship at the time.

In the years following, the pair had several hits together including “Beware,” “I Know,” and even released a joint album called Twenty 88 in 2016. After rumors swirled, they finally confirmed they were dating. In 2017, the “Never Call Me” singer got a tattoo of her rapper boyfriend’s face on her arm, which she later covered up. During the early months of 2019, it was reported that the couple had called their relationship quits. Sean was even seen leaving the studio with his ex-girlfriend Ariana Grande.

Around late 2019 and early 2020, it appeared that Sean and Aiko had rekindled. They began making more public appearances again in 2021. The year following, they welcomed their first child, Noah Hasani. Aiko has a daughter, Namiko Love, 16, from a previous relationship with Omarion’s brother O’Ryan Browner.

RELATED CONTENT: Jhene Aiko Claps Back After Disrespectful Fan Alleges Singer Is Engaged To Big Sean Because ‘Bullying Works’