Love is in the air — and the Fergusons are ready to make sure everyone feels it. Lathan and Chalana, the powerhouse couple behind Marriage Mastermynds and the Ferguson Family Foundation, are bringing their Black Love Matters Brunch back Sunday, February 22, at the Ameristar Resort Casino Conference Center. The reception opens at noon, with the program kicking off at 1 p.m.
The idea for the brunch was born during a couples retreat the Fergusons hosted to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
“The time that we spent with those couples, we recognized very soon that it was bigger than us,” Chalana said. “It was more than just an anniversary celebration; it was an opportunity to be transparent and vulnerable, to share hardships and ways to maintain marriage, and to build a village of other married couples.”
Word of that retreat spread quickly on social media, and couples began asking how they could be part of the experience. By 2023, the Fergusons expanded the gathering into a large‑scale celebration.
“This is an overall celebration of Black love and excellence,” Chalana said. “One we do in conjunction with Valentine’s Day, Black Love Day, and Black History Month to capture our history and culture.”
Marriage Mastermynds itself was created during the couple’s 15th year of marriage, a moment when they were transitioning into empty‑nesting and watching other long‑term relationships around them shift. “We started looking at couples who were further ahead in parenting,” Chalana said. “Their children were older and had left the house, and those marriages ended. We wanted to understand what happens when you get past the parenting phase and become a couple independent of raising kids.”
Lathan said that curiosity led them to study couples who were thriving not only in their relationships but in family life and community impact. “We looked at couples who had not only been successful in their relationships but also successful in family life,” he said. “And those who have made an impact on the community as well as their chosen professions. Out of that, Marriage Mastermynds was born.”
Photo by Nicholas Powell. Courtesy of Mastermynds
Since then, the organization has hosted vision board events, paint parties, group date nights, and workshops designed to strengthen relationships at every stage. Lathan said the need for connection became clear as the work grew. “We didn’t realize at that moment that we had the need,” he said, “but we were beginning to recognize the need to connect with couples who have successfully navigated the various phases of marriage.”
Chalana added that the goal is to help couples become intentional about their growth. “Our goal is to become masterminds of our relationships,” she said. “To be intentional, goal‑centered, and recognize when we may not be on the right path — and identify solutions to get us back on track.”
This year’s Black Love Matters Brunch is open to both couples and singles, with a lively program hosted by Damon Arnold and live entertainment from The Phillip Graves Band, joined by Adrianne Felton‑King and Justin Hoskin. Keynote speaker Carol Daniel — a staple of the brunch since its inception — will return with a message rooted in truth, wisdom, and lived experience. “She is bringing a phenomenal conversation about marriage, love, career, challenges, and wins,” Lathan said. “It’s an opportunity to socialize and network with like‑minded individuals. Hopefully, people will walk away with a new connection.”
The brunch will also honor five couples with the Legacy of Love Award, recognizing families who model Black love and excellence in their homes, communities, and professional lives. Chalana said highlighting these couples helps counter the narratives that often overshadow Black relationships. “We want to show people something they may not believe in,” she said. “Young people weren’t able to celebrate it because they weren’t able to see it and had low expectations of love and relationships. So we want to debunk those myths, create an energy around hope, and let people know that they deserve more. Love never fails.”
Lathan added that the brunch also creates space for men to engage in conversations they rarely have. “Women have no problem talking with themselves and friends about relationships and goals,” he said. “Men don’t have those conversations, so this is an opportunity not only for couples but for men who are interested in investing in their relationships.”
The Marriage Mastermynds Black Love Matters Brunch will take place at 1 p.m. (12 noon reception) on Sunday, February 22, at the Ameristar Resort Casino Conference Center. For tickets, visit www.zeffy.com.
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