Black Ballad’s 2024 Reader Survey revealed that 40% our audience are single and not dating at all. This tracks with general population data from the 2021 Census that shows that more and more women are remaining single, with the adult population of people who have never been married and are not co-habiting increasing.

“The jungle”, “the ghetteaux”, “the streets”, whatever term you use for the dating scene right now, the general sentiment seems to be that it’s a struggle – and if you’re a Black woman who dates men, this struggle seems to be particularly acute… at least that’s what the streets are saying!

For Valentine’s Week 2024, we’ve curated a collection of articles on the dating experiences that many of us are dealing with. Whether you’re trying to dodge Red and Black Pill-ers on the apps, or working your way through heartbreak, hopefully one of our articles will connect with you.

Wherever you are in your journey, this week reminds us that it’s a completely personal one, so embrace yourself in all your delicious complexity first and foremost and secondly…good luck!