---
title: A New Angle on Black Singles
date: 2023-02-09T05:30:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/a-new-angle-on-black-singles"
section: Articles
---
# A New Angle on Black Singles

*February 9, 2023* — by [Karen Shih ’09](/author/karen-shih)


> Sociology Professor’s Book Offers Insight Into Lifestyles, Societal Constraints on Unpartnered Black Professionals

*Headshot 2023 1920x1080 — Associate Professor of sociology Kris Marsh combined personal and professional interests in her new book, "The Love Jones Cohort," out today.*

Kris Marsh is tired of being asked: “Why are you single?”

The question has followed the University of Maryland sociologist throughout her adult life, in gatherings with friends and family, and even after research presentations.

As a successful Black professional, the associate professor wondered why people focused on what she wasn’t—married—rather than her accomplishments. She knew, from both her social circles and her research on the Black middle class, that she was far from an outlier: In 2019, 45% of Black adults in the U.S. had never been wed, compared to 24% of their white counterparts, a gap that has widened every decade since 1960.


*"The Love Jones Cohort" book cover*



**Sidebar note:**

**Upcoming book talks:**

- Feb. 25, 1 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble in Bowie, Md. (hosted by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights)
- March 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Greenbelt Branch Library

Check out more dates on [her website](https://drkrismarsh.com/), including talks in Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte.

---

This is one of a series of Maryland Today features during Black History Month celebrating Terp faculty, staff, students and alums.





**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Books](https://today.umd.edu/topic/books), [Sociology](https://today.umd.edu/topic/sociology), [Black History Month](https://today.umd.edu/topic/black-history-month), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences)