A Night to Remember: This Birthday Celebration Was a Visual Sanctuary for Black Love

For some, birthdays aren’t a big deal, and for others, it varies. But for sports and entertainment executive Andre Farr, celebrating his momentous day was a true reflection of the beauty and uniqueness of Black love. Hosting an intimate affair known as the “Power & Purpose” dinner with a carefully curated guest list, the night was full of laughter, friendship, and togetherness. To top things off a surprise engagement to the love of his life, Jay Brown brought the meaning of the entire evening full circle. 

Andre chatted with BlackLove.com and let us in on the determining factors that led him to celebrate another trip around the sun in this memorable way. Andre said, “It was important for me to celebrate my birthday with a theme of Black love and a focus on power couples because I want my next move to be my best move. When you’re starting a new chapter in your life, you want to surround yourself with a successful environment to plant that seed. It could not have been a better environment with family, friends, and loved ones who care. And also who exemplify the type of couples that I would like me and Jay to be.” 

Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the everyday stressors that we neglect to appreciate adding another year to this precious thing called the gift of life. However, the soon to be Mr. &. Mrs. Farr has made it their mission to showcase their gratefulness to be in each other’s lives, not just on special days such as birthdays, but always. 

According to the newly engaged Ms.Jay Brown, when it comes to her and Andre, love is more than an experienced emotion. It involves an unwavering faithfulness to the happiness of you and your significant other. “My definition of love is similar to the Golden Rule. “Treat others how you want to be treated.” I practice and showcase my love daily by doing the things I would want someone to do for me. I try to lead from the front and take the time to be considerate and show appreciation and gratitude because, to me, that’s love. Too many times, people look at love as something given, but love is something that you give.” 

Related: Making Our Love Last Beyond ‘I Do’

Let me just say during our conversation, so many gems were dropped between these two, and I was taking personal notes every few minutes. Not to mention when you take a deep dive into power couples and Black love, it becomes clear it is interchangeable. In our community, love is our power. Am I right? “For Andre to come up with the idea of power and purpose and bring those two identities together for our culture was amazing. It is the foundation of our community,” explained Jay. 

The representation of Black love is essential to the essence of our culture. And creating this space for couples to influence, encourage, and help nurture healthy relationships among each other is one of the great hallmarks of our society. “So many wonderful things we’ve learned from watching great couples be together and work together, such as perseverance, commonality, and compromise. These people are examples in their own individual ways of what we strive to be. One part of what they have, may be something we’re striving for in our own relationship, ” Andre expressed when asked what he learned from the diverse couples in attendance and how they personally influenced his relationship. 

From Bishop T.D. Jakes to Derrick and Adriane Williams, our very own Tommy and Codie Oliver to Devale and Khadeen Ellis, they were all in attendance exemplifying Black love in every dimension. Also, with 40 years of marriage, we can’t forget the prime example of what it truly means to love, honor, and cherish, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lawson, were also in attendance and graciously extended their home once owned by Muhammad Ali for the festivities. 

Related: What Is The Most Surprising Thing About Being Married?

For more pictures from the event, please visit Black Love’s exclusive portrait gallery and to stay connected with the newly engaged couple check out their private site at JayandDre.com. 

Andre Farr’s “Power & Purpose” Birthday Dinner – Highlight from Pharris Photography & Philms on Vimeo.