In the April edition of BLAC Detroit Magazine, seven African-American men share their opinions and personal experiences with relationships and love in Detroit in a roundtable discussion, moderated by J. Nadir Omowale. Click HERE to read a transcript.

The Men:

• Army Mechanical Engineering Technician Allison Hester, 46, has never married but wants to
• Detroit Public Schools Teacher Spencer Murray, 46, is divorced and remarried
• Hair Stylist Antonio Mosby, 37, has never been married
• Locomotive Engineer Darryl Yarbrough, 45, is divorced and in a committed relationship
• Attorney and WDET’s New Soul Sunday Host Nick Austin, 29, has never been married
• Musician, Producer and Writer J. Nadir Omowale, 42, has been married for 12 years
• Retired Engineer Erick Hardy, 64, has been married for 41 years

Nadir: How would you describe the state of Black relationships in Detroit?

Al: A lot of people want to paint the picture that it’s doom and gloom on Black love in Detroit, but my experience has been just the opposite. I like to think that I’m wise in my choices and that I pick fairly smart women [to date]. They know what they are looking for in a mate and what it is they have to give of themselves to be in a relationship.

Nadir: We hear stories about there being a shortage of good Black men, all over, not just in Detroit. From a Black male standpoint, how do you guys see that?

Spencer: I still find it difficult to buy into. I certainly think there’s a shortage if you are looking for a particular type of Black male. If some female has a list of what she wants and things are not meeting up to her list, her perspective can be, there’s a shortage.

Antonio: “I need a man who is sensitive to my needs. I need a man that’s a good friend. I need a man that’s a good lover. I need a man that’s supportive. I need a provider.” You might not find all those qualifications in one particular man. Some of these lists are ridiculous. I do hair and I deal with women all day long, and I hear this all the time.

Spencer: I’ve been married for a short time now. This is my third marriage. And one thing I’ve come to understand is people become better in a relationship. I used to believe you get married and the next day that person has become everything you want them to be. But I see now that it’s a journey. You still have to put in the work.

Read more of the discussion at BLACDetroit.com

EAPro’s Nadir Omowale is a featured music columnist for BLAC Detroit magazine (formerly African American Family). Since January 2009 he has written about some of the Motor City’s most notable veterans and its most promising up and comers. He’s also penned features about the unsung heroes of Motown and Grammy winner John Legend.

Click below for a sampling of Nadir’s writings (in PDF format).

FEBRUARY 2010 Cover Story:
John Legend – “Star Light”

JANUARY 2010 SOUND:
David Blair – “Blairing Urban Folk”

SEPTEMBER 2009 SOUND:
Lola Morales – “The Melange of Lola Morales”

OCTOBER 2009 SOUND:
Pathe Jassi – “Son of Senegal”