A new wave of intentional dating is on the horizon as Upfront, the first “healing-first” AI-powered dating app for Black professionals, is set to launch in Summer 2025. Unlike traditional apps built around superficial swiping, Upfront leads with authenticity and emotional intelligence—eliminating the swipe to focus on getting to the heart. Read more about the upcoming app inside.
Founded by Langston & Zora, and powered by culturally competent therapy frameworks, Upfront addresses the unique dating experiences and needs of the Black community. With over 20 million Black professionals in the U.S. actively seeking meaningful relationships, the app is disrupting an industry where bias runs deep. A 2024 study revealed that Black users consistently receive fewer likes on mainstream platforms like Tinder and OkCupid, highlighting how existing algorithms reinforce societal disparities and limit visibility.
But Upfront is flipping that narrative—intentionally. Guided by AI, rooted in therapeutic practices, and built in collaboration with licensed Black psychologists, the platform aims to foster holistic, emotionally aware relationships. Users are matched not simply by surface-level interests, but through deep, personalized insights that prioritize healing, alignment and long-term compatibility.
“The whole industry has been sitting still,” said Chief Product Officer Marcus Lee. “What we did with Upfront was take this from as many angles as we could to get the right intersection of technology and research. We didn’t just develop a proprietary algorithm, but a framework designed to get to the heart of individuals.”
Upfront isn’t just a dating app—it’s a relationship ecosystem. The founders envision it as a transformative platform that cultivates Black love and wellness through mentorship, intentional dating, and mental health resources. With a bold mission to facilitate one million Black marriages and improve the mental health of its users, the app is set to make both emotional and economic impact—projecting close to $10 million in revenue within its first five years.
“Real Love Starts When You’re Upfront With Who You Are,” the company declares.
Whether you’re seeking love, healing, or community, Upfront offers a refreshing and radical new approach to dating—rooted in truth, guided by care, and designed with Black love at the center.
Be sure to check out Upfront before it launches here.
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