EXCLUSIVE: OWN Announces Highly Anticipated Return Of 'Love & Marriage: Detroit'

The new season will welcome two new couples to the show.

Courtesy Warner Bros.

By Shelby Stewart · Updated August 7, 2024

The Oprah Winfrey Network has officially announced that the hit series Love & Marriage: Detroit is set to return for a thrilling new season. Premiering on Saturday, September 7, the show will follow immediately after the season finale of its sister franchise, Love & Marriage: Huntsville.

This season, viewers will be reacquainted with the dynamic lives of three influential African-American couples in Detroit – Russell and Kolby Harris, Brandon and Kristina Bowman Smith, and Anthony and Dr. LaToya Thompson. The couples are deeply rooted in their community and are committed to thriving amidst the city’s burgeoning resurgence. The series will also introduce two new couples, the Dobines and the Samuels, whose arrivals promise to shake up the group’s dynamics.

The Harris’ have been married for four years and are parents to a young daughter, with a second child on the way. Russell, a dedicated pastor and non-profit leader with Soar Detroit, is eager to expand their family further, while Kolby, a rising social media influencer, is hesitant about having more children. The couple faces the challenge of aligning their future visions and managing parenting roles, especially as Kolby feels she bears the brunt of discipline. With Russell’s hands full revitalizing a newly purchased gym, the Harris family’s journey will be one of compromise and communication.

EXCLUSIVE: OWN Announces Return Of ‘Love & Marriage: Detroit’

‘Love &Marriage: Detroit’ Meet the Harrises.

Yet, the Smiths, who have been married for 12 years, are navigating a turbulent phase in their relationship. With two young daughters and a recent separation, Kristina, a Detroit-based stylist and influencer, is re-evaluating her life as a potential single mother. Brandon, who runs the Star Factory artist development program, has struggled to balance his career and family life, contributing to their marital strife. A break-in at the Star Factory becomes a pivotal moment for the couple, forcing them to consider whether they can mend their relationship and work together to rebuild their lives.

‘Love &Marriage: Detroit’ Meet the Smiths.

Similarly, the Thompsons have a 15-year marriage and three children. Anthony, associated with Live Nation and a production studio owner, often feels overshadowed by LaToya’s success as a physical therapist and owner of Opulence Wines. This season, LaToya grapples with work/life balance and “mommy guilt,” while Anthony expands his men’s organization to offer a space for men to discuss their struggles.

‘Love & Marriage: Detroit’ Meet the Thompsons.

The second season of the hit show will also welcome two new couples, Marcel and Kimberly Dobine and Bravo and Lakeita Samuels. The Dobine’s, married for eight years with two children, join the series bringing a bit of color to the group. Kimberly, an event planner and founder of Posh & Popular, and Marcel, who works in the mortgage industry, face communication challenges. Their friendship with the Thompsons contrasts with Kimberly’s rocky past with Kristina, hinting at potential conflicts that could disrupt the group.

The Samuels on the other hand, are high school sweethearts, together for 20 years and married for six, bring a fresh yet familiar presence to the show. Bravo, a hospitality entrepreneur, and Lakeita, a social service manager, grapple with Bravo’s demanding career and late hours. Lakeita’s desire for a more present partner clashes with her husband’s drive to secure their family’s financial future.

As these couples navigate the complexities of love, ambition, and personal growth, viewers will be drawn into their captivating journeys. “As a Detroit native, I’m so proud to celebrate the city I love and its culture, while bringing viewers some amazing stories of family bonds and deep, complex friendships in an always-evolving community,” Creator and Executive Producer of Love & Marriage: Detroit Carlos King, tells ESSENCE. “I’m excited for Love & Marriage viewers to get to know our new Detroit couples and see what their fan favorites have been up to since last season!”

Watch below for the teaser for the upcoming season.

Article continues after video.

Mark your calendars for the season premiere on September 7 and prepare for an emotional rollercoaster every Saturday at 8/7c on OWN. Don’t miss the return of ‘Love & Marriage: Detroit’—where relationships are tested, and the bonds of love and marriage are put to the ultimate test.

TOPICS: detroit love and marriage

Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City presented by AT&T Dream in Black

At ESSENCE Hollywood Hosue, D Smoke, DJ HED, and Olympia Auset discuss strategies for safeguarding LA's rich Black culture.

By Jennifer Ford · Updated March 12, 2025

If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.

The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.

For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”

From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”

DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.

Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.

This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.

Read More

Travel

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Beauty

Shop