Can Love Pay the Bills?

In partnership with

“I’m workin’ on me and I’m working” - Lil Wayne

It’s Taco Tuuuuueeesday! while most kids dream about nachos and salsa, an 8-year-old girl from Ohio had a different adventure in mind. Instead of tacos, she took her family's SUV on a 13-mile joyride to a Target store! Luckily, she was found unharmed after her solo trip in a 2020 Nissan Rogue. While the incident remains under investigation, it looks like her destination was a little less about tacos and more about an unexpected Tuesday twist.

In today’s email:

• A Delicate Balance: The Role of Social Class in Modern Dating

• Breaking Barriers: The Rise of Black Leadership Across Industries

• Don’t Miss the Poll at the End: We need your opinion!

Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest episodes and news of Allies by following our updates today!

MAIN STORY

Dating and Success: Is It Fair to Expect More When You've Achieved More?

Wow, what a week it's been! We've seen some truly eye-catching headlines that have captured the public's attention, such as 'Meagan Good Reportedly Fronting the Bill for Jonathan Majors Life' This story has sparked a lot of conversations and debates online. In addition to this, the usual online chatter about dating standards has been particularly intense.

Many people are expressing their opinions and frustrations, especially when it comes to the expectations that successful Black women have in their relationships. Some folks are upset and feel that these high standards are unreasonable or unfair. On the other hand, many argue that these women have every right to maintain their standards and prioritize compatibility, especially when they’ve worked hard to achieve their success.

This ongoing discussion makes you wonder, is it fair to expect more when you’ve achieved more? Here are some numbers:

• The median income for married couple families is $94,555.

• The average person spends $58.84 per date, with men ($67.87 per date) paying 20% more than women ($56.54 per date).

• The median income for U.S. Black households is $50,000.

• 17% of all men earn over $100k per year, compared to only 8.4% of women. Men are around 2x more likely to earn an income of $100k or more per year in the US in 2022.

Love, Money, and Marriage

You may have missed this: Score, the dating app for those with good to excellent credit, quietly shut down last month. Now, the search for the ideal partner— a man in finance, 6’-5”, trust fund —just got a bit tougher. Social class and financial stability remain important factors in dating, which is why job titles and alma maters are key features on platforms like Tinder. Our online personas can seem as vital as our real lives, but relationships still depend on both love and shared financial responsibilities.

Many women, especially, hold themselves to high standards, not just in relationships but in all areas of life. They strive for meaningful connections, career achievements, and personal growth, seeing these as key to long-term happiness. On the other hand, some people believe that flexibility and compromise are just as crucial, particularly in relationships where mutual understanding and emotional bonds are more important than financial or social status.

When it comes to dating within or outside one's social class, things can get a bit tricky. Dating someone from a different social class might bring challenges like different lifestyles, expectations, or values. Meanwhile, dating within the same social class can offer more compatibility through shared experiences and goals.

In the end, whether to date inside or outside one's social class is a personal choice, based on what each person values most in a relationship.

These cannabis gummies keep selling out in 2023

If you've ever struggled to enjoy cannabis due to the harshness of smoking or vaping, you're not alone. That’s why these new cannabis gummies caught our eye.

Mood is an online dispensary that has invented a “joint within a gummy” that’s extremely potent yet federally-legal. Their gummies are formulated to tap into the human body’s endocannabinoid system.

Although this system was discovered in the 1990’s, farmers and scientists at Mood were among the first to figure out how to tap into it with cannabis gummies. Just 1 of their rapid onset THC gummies can get you feeling right within 5 minutes!

Order Now

TRENDING

The PS5 Pro is a Pretty Penny: The $700 Powerhouse Redefining Performance as the Most Expensive Console Yet. [Read Here]

It’s a Girl: Cardi B Confirms Birth of Baby Daughter with Offset in Sweet Family Photos. [View Here]

A Knockout Success: 'Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist' is Kevin Hart’s Best-Rated Film and Peacock’s Most Watched Premiere. [Read Here]

Not Just Economy: Experts Say Blood Clots on Planes Can Happen to Anyone, No Matter Where You Sit

The Viral Airport Tray Aesthetic: A New Trend That’s Slowing Down TSA Lines. [Read Here]

Want to Live Longer and Happier? These 5 Friendships Could Be as Important as Diet and Exercise, According to Experts. [Read Here]

A New Way to Win Big: Betting on Elections Is Now Officially Legal [Read More]

Meet OpenAI's New Model: ‘Strawberry’ is Faster, Smarter, and Ready to Tackle Complex Questions for You. [Read Here]

Flying Soon? Stop Putting Laptops and E-Cigarettes in Your Checked Bags for Safety Reasons. [Read Here]

Don’t Make This Mistake: The One Question Hiring Managers Ask That Could Make or Break Your Job Interview. [Read here]

A Record-Breaking Milestone: U.S. Spends Over $1 Trillion on Interest Payments for National Debt. [Read Here]

Fed Prepares for Rate Cut as Inflation Slows, but Housing Costs Remain Stubborn. [Read Here]

THE FLIP SIDE

The New Era of Black Excellence: Shaping the Future of Leadership

Ralph Lauren recently made history by appointing James M. Jeter as its first Black Creative Director, specifically for the Men’s Polo division, a milestone in the brand’s 57-year history. Jeter, a Morehouse College graduate, started his career at Ralph Lauren as an intern, working his way up to a design associate. During the 2020 George Floyd protests, Ralph Lauren personally asked Jeter about his experience at the company, to which Jeter responded that he thought it would remain "all-white."

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), such as Morehouse, are vital in fostering talent like Jeter’s. These institutions provide an environment that supports the academic, social, and professional development of Black students. With tailored resources and strong mentorship, HBCUs have long been a launching pad for Black professionals in various industries. Jeter’s journey from Morehouse to the helm of one of the most iconic fashion brands showcases the importance of these institutions in shaping the next generation of leaders.

Behold a collection of figures:

• HBCU’s are responsible for $16.5 billion in total economic impact and over 136,000 jobs.

• The Black wage gap in tech is projected to increase 37 percent by 2030, resulting in more than a cumulative $350 billion in lost wages for Black families in eight years.

• Twenty-five percent of African American graduates with STEM degrees come from HBCUs.

• Forbes magazine has recognized Howard University as the #1 historically Black college or university (HBCU) in the nation, according to its 2024-2025 America’s Top Colleges rankings.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Laila!

The debut album from Laila!, titled "Gap Year," soothes with a track called "if you’re listening (interlude)." This song captures Laila! telling herself “it was for the better”, as she enchants the listeners with her composed, powerful voice and commanding performance style.

"If you’re listening (interlude)" not only showcases Laila!'s vocal talent but also reaffirms her rich musical heritage. Hailing from Brooklyn, Laila Smith comes from a lineage steeped in hip-hop, being the daughter of Yasiin Bey, previously known as Mos Def. Her rise to fame was marked earlier in the year with the hit song "Not My Problem," which firmly established her in the music industry.