Meet the Mind Behind Viral Black Love Page, MEANDSOMEBODYSON
info@hypebae.com (Hypebae) Wed, 10 Apr 2024 Hypebae
Given the recent "death" of dating apps and waves of women entering their "boysober" era, you'd think Gen Z and Millennial women are ditching love. Interestingly enough, Black love pages continue to trend and grow, revealing a collective yearning for love and intimacy. And if we're talking about Black love, we can't have that discussion without giving flowers to the mind behind our favorite Instagram account, MEANDSOMEBODYSON.
Meet Zemirah Moffett. A Temple University alum who created the account as a "manifestation board" in 2019 after falling in love with content from viral accounts like Me & Somebody Queer Kin, a Black queer love account, and another Black love account, MEANDSOMEBODYDAUGHTER.
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"As someone who loves blackness in all its facets and different aspects," she told us in her exclusive interview, "starting this page was a breath of fresh air outside of my life." At the time, "I was studying Africology and Criminal Justice working with people coming out of incarceration -- which is essentially like social work. It can be pretty taxing on the heart and the soul so I needed an outlet."
Standing in the shadows, she did what every yearning Gen Z and Millenial bae does: started a finsta to sh-tpost. "I started this page because I wanted to inspire and be inspired." And before she knew it, MEANDSOMEBODYSON was born.
Now, at age 27 with over 300k followers, she's ready to embark on the next chapter of her life in love and career. More specifically, Zemirah is ready to reveal herself to the world and join her community on a collective journey of healing and creating love.
Keep reading for our exclusive interview and face reveal with the lovely Zemirah Moffett.
So the girls are dying to know -- are you in a relationship, or in love?
I'm single!
Have you ever secretly featured yourself?
Yes, a few times. I did a bar crawl in New York in, I think it was 2022. And in the recap, there was a group photo with like maybe seven or eight people. I put a photo of myself last in the carousel. And then when I launched the merch campaign, it featured photos of myself and a guy that I was dating at the time, but it was only from the neck down.
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What is Black love to you and what makes it so special?
When I think about Black love and Blackness, I think of legacy. It's not just about me -- this is also why I was in the background for so long -- it's something so beyond me, that makes Black love so special. When I think about legacy, I think about children and the next generation. So that's what makes it really special to me. The legacy -- and building it.
"If you are Black and in love. This space is for you."
Do you have a favorite example of Black love?
I try not to idolize any couple -- but Devale and Khadeen Ellis. Truly.
I think that's one of the reasons the page blew up because I was, and still am, just posting everybody. Like, everybody can get a spot on that page. If you are Black and in love. This space is for you.
When I first started the page, [Devale and Khadeen] were just New Yorkers in their apartment, showcasing what really goes on at home. It was raw, real and authentic. They were definitely a couple that inspired me. And when I think of Black love, I think of that -- building together, not only just your family, but your business, too. Like, they built an empire for their kids.
Through your video series, MEANDSOMEBODYSON, a common thread amongst the Black men interviewed is that meeting their lover was "healing," and elevated every aspect of their life. As a secret leader within the space, how have you witnessed people healing through Black love?
I think people are healing from not feeling worthy. Not feeling deserving. And because of that, feeling like love's not going to happen for them. But this is where the page comes in. It's important to see everyday couples and different types of people who look like them. Like, you know what, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm tripping. I am worthy. I am deserving.
What's your best piece of dating advice for anyone on their journey of finding or experiencing the beauty of Black love?
I'm thinking of what I would tell myself, to be honest, because that's a lot of what this page is -- dating advice for myself.
To be open. What you have learned in your journey, and what you think you know, may not be it. So be open to learning new things. Be open to accepting new things. I think that can also be part of the biggest challenge. Sometimes even I feel like I'm unworthy or I'm not deserving. But be open. And though I just said, you may not know it all, I think as Black people, we have this really innate intuition and gut feeling. Listen to that. Listen to yourself.
My best friend teaches yoga and is very into those types of practices. We were talking about this idea of a pendulum swing, and how in dating, we will experience one thing, and we're like, "Oh, my God, I don't want that." So we'll try the complete opposite. And that's not really how this works, we have to find this balance. So when talking about balance, while you have to be open, and know that you don't know it all, you also have to listen to yourself because intuition is a thing. And sometimes we get caught up and then we end up in situations at the end of it like damn, like, I wish I would have listened to myself or listen to that gut feeling.
What's inspiring you to reveal yourself?
There is this page, yes. But I also have a personal brand. I think its important for people to see me on my way to success and finding love. I know so many people are going to resonate with me, like -- what I've been scared of is going to be the exact thing that people love me for. And I had some time to sit in that and realize that. It took me five years to do it [face reveal] but baby I'm here. I'm so ready and excited to talk to my community.
What’s next for MEANDSOMEBODYSON as a brand?
I’m looking to continue storytelling beyond photos. I started a series to explore love and relationships in an open and healthy manner. But self-funding can be one of the greatest challenges for entrepreneurs. I’m hoping more dialogue will allow for growth in multiple ways. I've also hosted event sin various cities and I would love start that again, especially with me revealing myself.
What's next for you?
Sharing more of myself, my own story. I’ve been posting on my personal page opening about my journey to success. I think there’s this perception that having a large platform means you’ve reached a certain level of success and while I’m grateful for where I am. I’m still on the climb. You can catch more of me @lifeofzemirah
Purchase new MEANDSOMEBODYSON merch on its website.
This interview has been condensed for clarity.
In other news, check out our sex and dating advice column, Ask a (S)expert.
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