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Home · Black Celeb Couples

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016

Black love had a moment in 2016. From Magic and Cookie to Barack and Michelle, here are the absolute sweetest celebrity love moments of the year!
By Lauren Porter · Updated October 26, 2020
01
Nicole Ari Parker, Holly Robinson, Tisha Campbell and Their Hubbys Tried to Break the Internet

When this photo of Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe, Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete, and Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin all smooching in a group shot on the beach hit the Internet, the world collectively swooned.

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
02
The President and First Lady’s ESSENCE Spread Made the World Fall In Love With Them All Over Again

When President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama graced the October 2016 cover of ESSENCE for the last time as POTUS and FLOTUS, it was a moment to remember for sure. But, when readers opened up the issue to find this epic photo of a tender moment between the Obamas inside, hearts melted across the globe.

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Kwaku Alston for ESSENCE
03
Magic and Cookie Johnson Celebrated 25 Years Of Marriage In Style

To celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in a big way, Magic Johnson and Cookie Johnson jet-setted off to Monoco for a weeklong celebration with over 100 close friends and family, including many other famous Black couples we love. The moment was so sweet, we couldn’t stop following all of the #EC25 fun on Instagram.

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Charley Gallay
04
Courtney B. Vance Dedicates His Big Emmy Win To His Wife Angela Bassett

When Courtney B. Vance scored his first Emmy win, he couldn’t help but thank the hottest woman in the game, his wife, Angela Bassett, for being the one for rocking his chain and always supporting him. Swoon!

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
2016 Lester Cohen
05
Denzel Washington Shared the Love With His Family
When Denzel Washington accepted the Cecil B. Demille Award at the 2016 Golden Globes, he brought his entire family, including his wife of 23 years, Pauletta, and three of their four kids, on stage with him and the moment was absolutely picture perfect!
12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
2016 NBCUniversal Media, LLC
06
Ciara and Russell Wilson Married In Surprise Wedding

Ciara and Russell married in a surprise wedding at the Peckforton Castile in Liverpool, England on July 6th, and their fans went wild. It was definitely a moment that brought a smile to our faces!

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Instagram
07
Solange and Her Hubby Alan Ferguson Made Magic Together
Solange will always have a seat at the table reserved for the love of her life, Alan Ferguson. Not only did the carefree queen give audiences the Blackest album of the year (with her latest creation, A Seat At The Table) but she and her husband did it side by side, and if that isn’t the power of love, what is?!
12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Instagram
08
Morris Chestnut Brought His Beautiful Wife Pam Byse Everywhere
In the past we didn’t see Morris Chestnut and his lovely wife of 21 years, Pam Byse, together on the red carpet nearly as much as we hoped to, but during the Rosewood star’s incredible 2016, they were practically inseparable and as sweet as can be. Cheers to long-lasting love!
12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Todd Williamson
09
Gabrielle Union Gushes Over Hubby Dwyane Wade’s Shining Moment

When your man looks as good as Dwyane Wade does, you’re definitely supposed to be all over him and super proud during his finest (pun intended) moments. For the release of Wade’s ESPN Body Issue cover, Gabrielle was a gushing and supporting wife showing up and out for her man and his super hot bod. “Brown skin… You know I love your …brown skin…,” she captioned the photo of her man while sharing the body barring flick on Instagram. How sweet!

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Paul Archuleta
10
Kevin and Eniko Had the Wedding Of the Year

All hearts go to the Harts in 2016! Kevin and his Jamaican “rib” Eniko Parrish, tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in August that gave us major wedding guest FOMO.

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Jason LaVeris
11
Then Ciara and Russell Wilson Announce Their Expecting A Baby Too!

This year was full of love, marriage and a baby carriage for the Wilsons! Ciara and her new hubby announced they’d soon welcome their own little bundle of joy. It doesn’t get much better than bliss like this!

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Instagram/@ciara
12
Teyana Taylor and Iman Shumpert Tied the Knot At Home

Nothing says “I love you” like an impromptu trip to tie the knot in matching red leather motorcycle jackets! Teyana and Iman redefined wedding goals with a casual and yet completely swoon-worthy wedding and that is definitely one of the sweetest moments of the year. 

12 Moments Black Love Reigned Supreme In 2016
Instagram
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