Forever Fest, A Celebration of Black Love

If you’re anything like us, you have slight PTSD from the COVID-19 global pandemic. Especially if you lived in New York City like us. Nia was working tirelessly on the front line as a critical care health care provider at Harlem Hospital and Shomari, a senior scientist in vaccine research and development, was working to help create a vaccine for COVID. Needless to say, shit was WILD. Citywide curfews, long waits to enter the grocery store, sidewalk dining and park picnics were all we had to look forward to in the city that is widely known for “Dope Ass Summers”. In August 2020, Nia and Shomari were both interested in meeting someone new and found ourselves creating online dating profiles on Bumble in hopes of connecting with someone new and exciting… How it Started... After stumbling across Shomari’s profile, seeing that he worked in the sciences, watched sports and enjoyed traveling, Nia reached out and started the conversation. I mean, who doesn’t love a nerd who watches basketball!! We met on 8/26/2020 on Randall’s island in NYC. Shomari was late to pick Nia up and had a giant sombrero in the back of his Toyota Corolla hooptie. Skeptical and slightly annoyed by his tardiness, Nia proceeded with the date. On a park picnic on Randall’s island with tons of yummy food goodies and bottles of prosecco and Rose, we ended up talking for hours, deeply engaged in conversation and funny and witty banter. We didn’t leave Randall’s island until close to midnight. The day was nothing short of…perfect! How’s it Going… Nia and Shomari have been living in Harlem together since April 2021. Yes, they did the proper New York thing and moved in together “super quick” because rent is too damn high in the city and it’s the common thing to do when you’re dating here. Over the next three years, they endured long distance dating and living as Shomari took a new job in Cambridge, MA in June 2021. Life presented a number of ups and downs. They managed moving apartments, new jobs, career changes, graduate school (Nia swears she is never going back), travelling, loss, and profound grief and through it all, they have stayed committed and focused on each other. They have heavily relied on each other and their village to help them with some of their darkest times and joyous moments. On their three-year anniversary, after asking Nia's Uncle Calvin for her hand in marriage, Shomari and Nia returned to Randall’s island where he proposed. Nia was shocked to say the least. Truth be told, she initially thought Shomari hurt his knee and she rolled her eyes at the thought of having to take him to receive medical care. She quickly realized however, that he indeed was proposing. She said, “YES”! What’s Next… Please join us in Negril, Westmoreland Jamaica in February 2025 for "Forever Fest 2025; A celebration of Black Love. We are very excited to return to Shomari’s home where he was born for an epic and immersive Jamaican experience. ALL the vibes...great local Jamaican food, dope music sets, games, and beautiful black people. Negril is really special to the both of us as Shomari's maternal grandmother still resides in the Parish and Mama Cheers spent her 25th birthday in Negril and often traveled to Jamaica throughout her life. It was only fitting that we chose this special place to celebrate our next chapter.