Melanistic Magazine - Vol. 10

Melanistic LIFE IN BLACK

Gail MEETS Mookie - A CHANCE ENCOUNTER

A MODERN DAY LOVE STORY By: Tamika de Gannes

The process of healing from a toxic relationship and being open to new love can be challenging but for Gail-Ann Wilson and Derrell Mitchell, their love blossomed into a Black modern fairytale.

The Edmonton couple has been together for 18 years and are set to be wed on August 7, 2022. Gail is a Cultural Diversity Education Consultant and Derrell is a 2016 CFL Hall of Fame inductee and team leader at a residential home for Indigenous youths.

The two met in 2004. At the time, Gail was a divorced mother of three girls and Derrell fathered a son. As expected, they were forced to navigate hurdles associated with dating while being single parents and blending their families. Gail shared: “I kept the mentality when I was raising them (her daughters), whatever I did, they came first.” With time and persistence, they overcame those challenges by taking things slowly and building a solid friendship.

Beyond these rudimentary steps, Gail also needed to heal from the years of damaging comments about herself from her ex-husband that she internalized. With Derrell’s help, she was encouraged to appreciate and love herself. Tenderly she shares, “Derrell was the first person who told me that it was ok to like who I was, exactly as I was.”

Images Courtesy of: PixelBlue Photography

Previously being in an interracial relationship with a White man, Gail realized that it was starkly different from being with Derrell who is an African American. Gail commented. “The fact that we appreciate each other’s skin colour, we appreciate each other’s heritage, we have the opportunity to talk about slavery for example and our association to that. We have the opportunity to talk about language that is only used in the Black community.” As for societal pressures, Gail, a Trinidadian native, said she was surprised to discover the stereotypes surrounding dating a successful Black man.

One of the shocking sentiments surrounded the belief that infidelity would plague their relationship. Some expressed the view that a woman of another race could replace her, reinforcing an already infamous notion that successful Black men prefer partners from different ethnicities.

“We appreciate each other’s skin colour, we appreciate each other’s heritage” However, their love and trust surpassed society’s expectations. More importantly, Gail and Derrell bonded over sensitive topics from their shared experiences. Gail said: “I can come home and tell Derrell things that I don’t have to explain or put context [as] to why a person reacted this way.”

On the other hand, the retired pro league footballer touted his mother’s influence as a key component in the success of his relationship. Derrell said his mom taught him to value and respect all women, having been a single mom herself. He also noted that he believes in open and honest dialogue with one’s significant other. As such, he advised young couples to communicate and “always be honest even if it hurts the person”.

Theirs is a story of hope and this power couple has proven that Black single parents can overcome negative stereotypes and past trauma to find love again. Melanistic magazine looks forward to Gail and Derrell’s Soca-themed wedding and wishes them a lifetime of marital bliss.