020-2021 has been rough for dating, but despite its shortcomings, the desire for companionship has not been more intense. If you're tired of searching through dating apps and would instead prefer a professional touch, we've compiled a list of the top Black matchmakers and dating coaches in the country.
This list is in no particular order and includes experts with several years of experience and whose expertise has been highlighted in numerous publications. As such, be sure to do your diligence when connecting with a service provider.
MATCHMAKERS
Jasmine Diaz - Diaz Dating Group
Jasmine Diaz is a pioneer in Black matchmaking; a renowned dating strategist, matchmaker, Founder of RELASH, Diaz Dating Group, and Co-Creator of the award-winning SmartMatchApp whose clients include some of the nation's greatest celebrities, athletes, and C-Suite executives. She has worked with high-profile and successful professional singles for nearly 20 years, and believes that matching is less of a numbers game as it is about strategy. Matchmaking clients undergo a discovery period where we discuss your dating preferences, relationship history, and future goals.
Website: diazdating.com
Features: Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ESSENCE, Washington Post, Galore, OWN, FOX, VH1
Julie Wadley - Eli Smone Matchmaking
Julie Wadley started Eli Simone to help others who are successful professionally, but feel that they were missing something or someone in their lives to make it complete. She challenges successful professionals to get back to basics on building a fulfilling life. Her mission is to empower individuals to find and keep love by accessing their life’s purpose and vision, using it to create goals, and customizing a strategy to achieve them.
Website: elisimone.com
Features: CBS, Madame Noire, Elite Daily, Chicago Tribune
Tana Gilmore & Kelli Fisher - The Matchmaking Duo
Fisher Gilmore Matchmaking (FGM.) is an exclusive agency of heart hunters led by The Matchmaking DUO™ (Kelli Fisher & Tana Gilmore). FGM provide matchmaking services personally designed to accommodate busy, successful professionals who are seeking long-term love. In searching for one’s compatible match, FMG pride ourselves on giving our clients a lot of what they want, and even more of what they need.
Website: thematchmakingduo.com
Features: ESSENCE, Steve Harvey Show, Madame Noire, Chicago Tribune, NY Post, NBC, Love Match Atlanta (Bravo)
Paul C. Brunson - Paul Brunson Agency
The world's most influential matchmaker, founded and exited three businesses, hosts two television shows, spent nearly a decade working directly for a billionaire. Named as a Top Voice on LinkedIn, Oprah said herself, "Paul is more than a matchmaker." He is currently co-host of Celebs Go Dating and Married At First Sight.
Website: paulcbrunson.com
Features: Today Show, Good Morning America, ESSENCE, OWN, Celebs Go Dating (E4), NBC, USAToday
DATING COACHES
Coach Cass - Inspire Many / Real Love Network
Coach Cass has a master's in public health and an honorary doctorate in philosophy. She is a certified dating and relationship coach, also trained under and certified by John Gottman's Seven Principles Program to Making Marriage Work. She is a certified life coach, matchmaker, TEDx speaker and more. She has worked with thousands of women over the last 11 years as a certified life, business and love coach.
Website: inspiremany.com
Features: Tamron Hall Show, Black Enterprise, ESSENCE, Woman's Daily, Washington Post
Monique Kelley - Cocktails and Confessions
Monique Kelley is the blogger behind the popular site, Confessions Of A Serial Dater in LA. She initially chronicled the trials & travails of her post-divorce dating life. Monique is currently the resident dating expert on NBC’s hit day time syndicated show, Access Live, NBC’s regional show California Live and Fox LA’s number one morning show Good Day LA. She has also been a guest on The Talk and has previously been featured in Essence Magazine, LA Confidential Magazine, and TV One.
Website: confessionsofaserialdaterinla.com
Features: E! Daily Pop, The Real, Tamron Hall, Good Day LA, Access Live
Angela N. Holton - Love Sanctuary
Angela N. Holton is an International Coach and Speaker, Author, and Founder of Love Sanctuary, an online spiritual and personal development site centered on helping individuals create success and transformation through Self-Empowerment and Self-Love.
Website: lovesanctuary.com
Features: The Daily Beast, Fox Soul, BET, Huffington Post
Bree Jenkins - The Gathered Life
Brittany Jenkins, better known as Bree to her clients, has been working in mental health, life coaching, and counseling services since 2002. A graduate of both Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology and Dillard University’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program, she has extensive training in the mental health field. Bree is a marriage and family therapist and dating & life coach specialist that focuses on couples, and adults with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and a multitude of mental health, social, and emotional problems.
Website: thegatheredlife.com
Features: Good Day LA, Fox Soul, People, Bustle
Damona Hoffman is the dating expert of the new generation. An online dating early-adopter and success story, she has been showing singles how to harness the power of technology to find love for over a decade.
A former TV casting director and executive, Damona always entertains while she teaches about celebrating your own unique experiences and personal story and learning to LOVE AS YOU ARE instead of conforming and compromising your individuality to find love.
Website: damonahoffman.com
Features: People, ESSENCE, LA Times, Washington Post, Madame Noire, FYI, CBS
As a certified relationship coach, a speaker and author, Stephan seizes every opportunity to help both men and women overcome the challenges that hinder their relationships. From understanding the opposite sex, to navigating the paths and avoiding the pitfalls of relationships and self growth, Stephan’s relationship advice and insight helps countless individuals achieve an authentically amazing life.
Website: stephanspeaks.com
Features: GQ, Men's Fitness, Huffington Post, Match.com, ABC, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out020 was a rough year, but despite its shortcomings, the desire for companionship has not been more intense. If you're tired of searching through dating apps and would instead prefer a professional touch, we've compiled a list of the top Black matchmakers and dating coaches in the country.
Updated September 8, 2022
