Where melanin meets meaningful.

A dating community made by and for people of color. Free forever, verified, and built around what you actually want.

Free to join. We never share your email.

Free forever. No paywalls, ever.

Verified. Real people, checked privately.

Zero tolerance. For fetishizing and harassment.

Dating the way it should feel

Everything you are tired of on other apps, fixed from the start.

  • Free for members, forever

    No paywalls, no premium tiers, no paying to message or to see who likes you. Partners keep the lights on.

  • Verified profiles

    Members earn a badge with a private selfie check or a quick video call. Only our safety team sees it, and it is deleted after review.

  • Zero tolerance

    Fetishizing, racism, transphobia and harassment get you removed. Real people review every report.

  • Intentions up front

    Relationship goal, faith and kids sit at the top of every profile, so you know before you say hello.

  • Five picks a day

    A short daily list of people who fit what you both want, instead of endless swiping.

  • Everyone belongs

    Straight, gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans and non-binary people of color, all in one place.

  • Real-life connection

    Mixers, group dates and trips in your city with partners we trust.

  • Built with you

    Tell us the feature you want most. Members vote on what we build next.

Couple in their sixties walking arm in arm through an autumn park
Long-term love
Couple smiling outside a brick church on Sunday morning
Faith-centered
Two men cooking together and sharing a taste in a sunny kitchen
Foodies
Two women walking hand in hand along the beach at sunset
Travel lovers
Couple smiling at each other at an art gallery opening
Creatives and culture

How the waitlist works

  1. Join and confirm

    Tell us your city and who you want to meet, then confirm your email.

  2. Bring your people

    Share your personal link. Every friend who confirms moves you up.

  3. Your city opens

    We launch city by city. The busiest waitlists open first, with a launch night to match.

Referral rewards

  1. 1

    Jump the line: you move ahead of everyone who has not referred anyone

  2. 3

    Early access: you get in before the public launch

  3. 5

    Founding Member badge on your profile, for life

  4. 10

    VIP invite to our launch mixer in your city

Woman in a hijab smiling at a message on her phone in a cafe

Safety is the feature

Most of us have been catfished, scammed or fetishized on dating apps. Here, members earn a verified badge, every profile has a one-tap report and block, and threats, scams or anyone who may be under 18 go to the front of the review line.

A profile is hidden automatically when several members report it, until a real person reviews it. Verification photos are never shown on profiles and are deleted after review.

Questions

When do you open?

One city at a time, as soon as a city has enough members for great matches on day one. The cities with the most people on the waitlist open first.

Is it really free?

Yes. Members never pay to join, message, see likes or use any feature. Sponsors, venues and trips for daters and couples pay for the site.

Who can join?

Adults 18 and older. We center people of color of every orientation and gender identity, and everyone who respects that is welcome.

How do referrals work?

After you confirm your email you get a personal link. Each friend who joins with it and confirms moves you up and unlocks rewards.

What happens to my information?

We use it to hold your spot, count referrals and tell you when your city opens. We never sell it and partners never get it.

Your person might already be on the list.

Join free in under a minute.

Join the waitlist

Run a venue, a trip or a brand for daters and couples? Partner with us.

Coming to your city

Melanated Connections is opening city by city. Join the waitlist free and invite your friends to move up.

Join the waitlist

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