African-American couple on a mission to save black marriages
theGRIO REPORT - The couple, who have been married for seven years, is the driving force behind one of the most successful relationship and parenting blogs online, blackandmarriedwithkids.com...
ATLANTA – Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are a happily married African-American couple that live in Atlanta.
Like all relationships they’ve had their fair share of ups and downs. But their love for each other and unwavering commitment to raise four children together has meant, in spite of it all, they are still standing.
The couple, who have been married for seven years, is the driving force behind one of the most successful relationship and parenting blogs online, blackandmarriedwithkids.com.
WATCH TRAILER FOR ‘STILL STANDING’ HERE:
[youtubevid http://youtube.com/watch?v=3G2L0nGBHZw]
The husband and wife team say they started the site in 2007 to challenge stereotypes of marriage, particularly in the black community, which according to statistics has lower than average marriage rates and higher than average divorce rates.
“With so many negative images out there people internalize feelings of hopelessness,” says Ronnie Tyler. “We showcase positive images of marriage, family and parenting in the African American community to give hope and faith that relationships do work if people are willing to take the right actions.”
“Marriage isn’t for everyone but we want to make sure that it’s an option in the black community,” says Lamar Tyler, who has given up his job as an IT manager to commit himself to the project. “We also want to encourage and uplift couples whose marriages are in trouble.” However, if you feel like it’s time to end the marriage for your family’s sake, you may start speaking with a family law attorney to know the best course of action.
The blog now has a huge following, with over 100,000 fans on its Facebook page. Since its inception the site has also earned several awards and accolades, including being named one of the 10 “Must Read” sites by Parenting magazine.
The duo has gone a step further and produces a series of feature length DVD documentaries through their production company, Tyler New Media. The latest installment is their newly released fourth film, Still Standing.
Still Standing is about the trials and tribulations of marriage, says Lamar. “Six African-American couples tell talk candidly about how they overcame obstacles in their marriages, ranging from infidelity to financial hardship.”
The documentary, which is now being viewed to sell-out crowds across the nation, features the likes of husband and wife team, Kindred the Family Soul, as well as Speech Thomas of Arrested Development and his wife Yolanda, along with nationally renowned psychologist, Dr. Sherry L. Blake.
“We want to help people build stronger and healthier marriages and encourage them if they are intentional about making their relationship work there can be a happy ending,” says Ronnie Tyler.
Indeed, Lamar and Ronnie’s hard work has received nationwide recognition. The couple has twice featured on Essence magazine’s Power Couples on The Move list alongside the Obamas and Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Their website has also recently featured on the Ebony magazine annual Power 100 list.
They are also popular on the speakers’ circuit and regularly tour the country to screen their documentaries and give talks on topics surrounding marriage and relationships, empowerment and purpose, and social media.
For more information or to arrange a screening contact Lamar Tyler at blackandmarriedwithkids.com.
Follow Kunbi Tinuoye on Twitter at @Kunbiti
