Kimberly Lauren Stokes and Dexter Clay Mason did not meet until adulthood, but their paths could have crossed much earlier in life.
Ms. Stokes and Mr. Mason are both from Detroit. Both were members of Jack and Jill of America, a social organization for Black families. Both of their mothers, who happen to be former co-workers, are members of the Links, a nonprofit organization for Black women. And both are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, known as the Divine Nine, which is composed of historically African-American fraternities and sororities.
Ms. Stokes, 32, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and a doctoral candidate in the counseling psychology program at Wayne State University in Detroit, where she also received a Master of Arts in counseling psychology. She received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in elementary education from Howard University.
Mr. Mason, 33, is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and the executive director of Change Collective, a civic leadership development program begun by former President Barack Obama in Washington. Mr. Mason holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, and a master’s in sports industry management from Georgetown University.
And yet, it was not until a rather awkward encounter at Howard’s homecoming in 2013 that the two finally connected face to face. Mr. Mason introduced himself at a tailgate event, but Ms. Stokes was forced to cut their exchange short.
“She was like, ‘I’m so sorry, I have to go,’” Mr. Mason said. Ms. Stokes confirmed that she “had to swiftly leave to find a restroom.”
