Best-selling author and speaker Tony Gaskins has a different perspective on Black-on-Black love. While many have all but abandoned the idea of monogamy or marriage, Gaskins is one of the few that encourages men and women to aspire to something greater. April Love wanted a different voice for her upcoming “Real Love Matter” edition of her popular “Gathering of Champions” series. “I am profoundly inspired by seeing a Christian man with such a candid
April Love wanted a different voice for her upcoming Real Love Matter edition of her popular Gathering of Champions series event at Impact Church in Atlanta, so she looked to Gaskins. “I am profoundly inspired by seeing a Christian man with such a candid, honest perspective in terms of relationships and love,” Love says.
Gaskins’ theory of using self-love as a foundation for finding external love has made him one of social media’s most sought-after public speakers. “Self love doesn’t mean that everyone will treat you the way you deserve to be treated. It means that you won’t let them change the way you see yourself; no [way] will you stick around for them to destroy you,” Gaskins says. Gaskins goes further to suggest when people are practicing self-love, they are less likely to make bad decisions in terms of relationships, especially as it relates to partners that are unsuitable.
Gaskins believes both sides of the equation need to be honest with each other. “Ladies, you can’t portray yourselves as bait online, but then expect a man to see you as a good woman in real life. By the same token, fellas, you can’t show off your life savings online and then lose faith in women when you attract all gold-diggers,” he warns. It’s this type of in your face reality that prompted Love to ask Gaskins to host her event. “There are so many people hiding behind a mask posing for social media but not being accountable for what that posturing will deliver to their lives. I wanted a man speaker and panelists for this event that would encourage the audience to drop their guard, do some serious self-assessment and go after the life that they truly want,” Love says.
It’s this type of talk that prompted Love to ask Gaskins to host her event. “There are so many people hiding behind a mask, posing for social media but not being accountable for what that posturing will deliver to their lives. I wanted a man speaker and panelists for this event that would encourage the audience to drop their guard, do some serious self-assessment and go after the life that they truly want,” Love says.
In addition to Tony Gaskins, Real Love Matters welcomes film producer Jevon Dewand, Relationship Reality Check host Christal Jordan, couples Q. and Sharlinda Parker, Cassandra and Devaughn Whitaker, and Lisa and Joseph Washington.
Real Love Matters is a special edition of A Gathering of Champions scheduled for Sunday, April 2 at 4 p.m., at Impact Church 2323 Sylvan Rd, Atlanta, Georgia 30344.
For more information or to register visit: www.agocwithtonygaskins.eventbrite.com
