NATIONAL BLACK MARRIAGE DAY 2012

The 6th Annual Black Marriage Day Essay Contest Starts FEBRUARY 1, 2012

Adults 21 and over TOPIC:

"I've learned that Marriage is..." 

(1,000 word essay) 

 Students 7th through 9th Grade

"What Does a Healthy Marriage Look Like?"

(750 word essay)

 Students 10th through 12th Grade

"When I Become Married, I Will..."

(750 word essay)

click HERE for ESSAY CONTEST information, guidelines and RULES

 NATIONAL BLACK MARRIAGE DAY 2012

IS SUNDAY MARCH 24, 2012

(scroll down for more info on the Community Commitment Ceremony and Reception)

Each Year Our Community Commitment Ceremony and Wedding Reception are held in celebration of National Black Marriage Day. 

TO

CELEBRATE LOVE AND MARRIAGE

                                               CHECK BACK FOR INFORMATION ON 2012 CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES  

                             
          TAKE A LOOK AT LAST YEAR'S CELEBRATION

 11 COUPLES RENEWED THEIR VOWS ON  MARCH 28, 2010 ...

                     ....in a ceremony at St. Peter AME Church, followed by a

                  wedding reception.                                               

                       COUPLES AT THE ALTAR

     PROUD GROOMS CELEBRATE BLACK MARRIAGE!

OUR OLDEST AND LONGEST MARRIED, 61 YEARS OF WEDDED JOY!  
          

                                                                                                                OUR YOUNGEST COUPLE, MARRIED SIX YEARS

                                    THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDES!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Black Marriage Day was founded in 2003 by Nisa Muhammad, Executive Director of Wedded Bliss Foundation.  National BMD was formed to honor the healthy and strong marriages in Black communities nationwide. According to it's founder, Nisa Muhammad, "The goal is to change the hearts and minds of the Black community to cherish and celebrate the marriages that we currently have while encouraging more to commit themselves to marriage so more children grow up with the gift of a two parent family." 

Marriages thrive with community support - be it the neighbor who encourages the wife or husband, the in-laws who set a good example, friends and family who help young couples as they raise healthy children, companies and businesses with policies that support families, or services, faith institutions and agencies in the community that provide support to families and marriages.  Marriages and families strive when there is a community-wide commitment to marriage. Marriage  belongs to the community, not solely to the couple.  In communities where marriages are healthy and successful property values are higher, there are better schools, lower crime rates and the people are healthier.  In communities where the divorce rate is higher than the marriage rate and marriages fail to happen, lower property values, poorer schools, crime, health concerns, and many other risk factors abound.  Communities have a responsibility to help change the culture of marriage by encouraging organizational collaborations between community groups and institutions of faith, celebrations that increase the value of marriage and courses that provide services to strengthen marriages. CHAARM is committed to supporting healthy marriages throughout St. Louis, and specifically among African Americans.  Our celebration of Black Marriage Day is one way we pause to join with others to demonstrate this commitment and encourage others to "CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF BLACK MARRIAGE!"