“Ask a Black Man” Cast – Meet Devale Ellis

April 3rd, 2012 - By jade

Several of you mentioned you wanted to see some married men on the panel, and Devale is very much a happily married man. A proud father and husband, we think Devale brings a unique perspective to the cast. Devale appears on “Episode 2:The Dating Episode” and  he will also be appearing on “Episode 4: The Marriage Episode,” later this month.

Meet Devale

Age: 27

Relationship Status: Married

Occupation: Actor/Entrepreneur

Links: Facebook, Acting Reel, PressPassTV Feature, ESPN The Mag Feature

In 3 words, how would your friends describe you? Funny, Driven, Outspoken

What are the main characteristics/qualities that you look for in a woman? Beauty, Nurturing, Sense of Humor

What are your favorite hobbies? Bowling, Movies

What are your top 3 favorite books to read? The Alchemist, Rich Dad Poor Dad, From Good to Great

Who is your favorite artist?

Favorite movie of all time? Bad Boyz

When you think of black women, what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Angry

What’s your favorite quote and why? “Hard work beats talent when talent doesnt work hard.” Hard work is the ultimate equalizer in a world where everything is unfair, the privileged get all the help, and we all look down on cheaters.

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  • BTJ lover

    I’m not “Angry”. This is my thinking face! geez Devale…….lol

  • Mrs. Holloway

    You are great! And dont let no other woman than your WIFE tell you that you’re not! I’m married as well (Newlywed) And I have to agree with alot of your view points on marriage. It makes so much more sense to me, to just be straight forward or “direct” about expressing your needs. You save time, efforts, and wasted emotions just by being free to express yourself. I truly enjoy your view points, whether they’re provocative (provoking) or delightful, because bottom line, you’re REAL.

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  • Bladerp1

    Wow.. I came on here to read this because my wife, a fine smart black women asked me to and this is amazing.  The man is just stating an opinion maybe from his experiences. Now we know all black women are’t angry and don’t come off as angry but some do. Just like we know all black men aren’t thugs,aren’t on drugs ,aren’t sleeping with everybody like a lot of black women like to talk out about. My wife and I are just regular folks ho are educated,imperfect and most our family and friends are married black folks who own things and take care of our families. The ignorant men and women who happen to be black just reap what they sow.

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  • SimSimma

    hahaha….all these “angry” responses are just proving Devale right…smh.  I’m a strong, independent, extremely opinionated black woman…and I was NOT  offended by that statement.  Maybe some people have a guilty conscience.  #shrugs  THIS is why it’s sooo hard for men to have candid conversations with women…WE, women, are wayyy to emotional to handle the truth.  And I’m not throwing stones, b/c I’m guilty as charged also.  I agree with Devale..and I expected wayyy more “why’s” than “put-downs” in the commentary.  If “angry” is what he first thinks of when he thinks of a black woman…THAT’S HIS PEROGATIVE! He is his own man with his own opinion….everyone’s opinion is worth hearing.  You can’t live life without opposition…you don’t have to accept it…but listening and at least agreeing to disagree is apart of maturity.  Grow Up!  Everyone’s experience shape their reality…and you can’t fault anyone for having an opinion based on their personal experience. Listen. Learn. Teach.   smh at some of you….MOST of you.

    • Anonymous

      hahaha at your ignorance. The term, “angry’ is not a new word. So, no need to ask why Devale thought that. Yes, I do agree some black women need to work on their attitude. Every women has their problems, I want black people to learn how to give constructive criticism. You think white men, latino men, Asian men don’t have something negative to say about their own women but they dare not come out to talk about it, bcos they know better. They understand brotherhood, sisterhood, I might not like you but I will not go out there to diss you.

      • http://profile.yahoo.com/NAQ3DAWTSNDWDUON7H2ZEBWLFA Robert

         People just need to mind their own business and be decent individuals. There are strong black MEN and strong black WOMEN who take care of themselves and their families. There are also ignorant sad black men and ignorant sad black women. These are choices of the person. Find out what your purpose in life is as a positive productive member of society and you wont fall for divide and conquer game that was set up by our early history. The old white guard has really done a number on black america. Come on we are stronger and better than this.

  • A F

    I find this young man’s train of thought when discussing Black women very enlightening. In his words, he first thought thick/curvy, then cooking, then angry. I’m not interested in debating whether these are true or not; I’m sure my comments will not sway his opinion. I would just like to point out that his thoughts align with three stereotypes atributed to Blk women: Jezebel, Mammy, and Sapphire. For someone, who professes his relationships with various Blk women, he does not appear to think about them in terms of all the very complexities that he has first-hand exposure to (supposedly). Rather, he rests on these tried and true stereotypes. Very interesting… If I were told to summarize Black men, I would try to think of something that encompasses all the good and bad, everything that I have had the pleasure or chagrin of being exposed to. And…. he didn’t. Lets me know what he considers the most prominent quality in Black women. I’m not mad at him for his opinion. It’s just…. interesting.

  • Femme

    Lol, at first I saw 75 Comments and said wow, the thirst is REAL. Then I scrolled through and realized…a lot of people, (women I assume) are upset at some of the things this cat says on the show. Won’t make this too long but I will say he’s not wrong or right. What he said is what A LOT of people think black woman are, in general. I’m black, female, 20, in school and STRESSED. As a young black woman, I currently fit the stereotypical angry black woman. We as black women wear this mask of utter disdain (when we’re unhappy) in public and some of our faces are just that way while keeping a straight face. It’s not our fault that people assume we’re upset all the time. We have “ratchet” black women who give ALL OF US a bad rep. I wish men/people in general could differentiate the two but I’m just saying, if you catch offense to it, you’re probably guilty of this act, whether you’re aware while doing it or not. =

  • Heather

    I feel very sorry for all these black women who are agreeing with this angry comment. You may think that yes some black women are angry, but to agree that the FIRST word that comes to mind when you think of black women is angry is quite pathetic. And to turn around and say all the angry comments prove this point is quite circular. If you say incendiary things and people get upset, it does not mean you are right. It means you’re a jackass that likes to get people fired up. I just fell upon the Ask a Black Man series and enjoyed the previous 3 episodes but if this is a preview of what will be on the next episode, I will not be watching. Oh and this think they have va**inas comment is quite offensive. This guy is really a prince. 

  • NaturallyMoni

    Devale, I have to agree with your “angry comment” and this is coming from a black mother of an african american son. I know you and your wife just had a son, so I’m feeling where you’re coming from. My husband and I talk with our son on a daily just to get whats going on in his head. This is also coming from an 14 year old.  He is a freshman in high school and his response about black girls are the EXACT same ANGRY! No he does’nt wear his pants sagging, saying “whats up for tonight Ma” but thats what majority black girls want to hear. Don’t tell me NO because if we have a panel of good guys and bad guys females will SAY good guy but CHOOSE the bad guys. REMEMBER  action speaks louder than words. If we had more Barack and Michelle Obama relationships out there we would not have so many angry black women. We are what we attract right. Moving on, We raised him to be a respectful black male, smart, handsome, plays saxophone. Because of this, black girls give him Nooooo play which is cool because he’s too young anyway. I know this, however, these same angry black girls raised by most of the time angry black women grow up to be angry black women. I have been around the world, many races and  its true most Black women are hurt more than anything. So we made it a point to give the new generation some type of hope that there are good black men out ther for them. My dream is for him to marry a strong, smart, beautiful BLACK woman. It just hurts that in 2012 he still gets the neck popping, rolling of the eyes from our black sisters. Yes he’s only 14 but will be a black man soon. If you are tired of the black man holding hands with the other race please EXPLAIN why you’ve turned your back on my brothers and now my son?

  • Peaches

    If you guys get a chance you should read the posts Devale put on the Extended Cut Episode about dating and see how he speaks about his wife. He adores that woman and also states that the very things that people say about black women are the very reasons why he married her. I think you guys are missing the point. Look at the other mens pages. They have between 2 & 7 comments, which shows that Devale’s plan to bring focus to what he wanted to say worked. Saying the expected answer and being “NICE” didn’t bring all of us to the other pages, but being controversial brought us all here. If you are smart enough to read the entire thread, he as a black man is actually taking ownership for the negative stereotypes that plague black women. He said, “The destruction of our households were not done accidentally. Black women are raised to have their own, be independent and be strong, qualities that are not pushed in other cultures because they dont have to. Then black women are penalized for being strong and independent by the very men they raised.” He is not at all giving black men a way out. Because he used ANGRY I for one have been back on the site every 12 hours to read responses from the ladies and listen what he has to say. For the past week he has done nothing but praise black women and his wife for our strength and it bothers me that women are attacking him and his wife. Only making what he said seem true. I for one respect what he has done here. Not to mention the fact that all the men I have shared this with said he is telling the truth on his episode and in his profile. 

  • beauty

    If you want a conversation, you don’t start with an attack especially one that has negative connotation to it. Black people are very good at pointing fingers, no constructive criticism whatsoever. I am the black girl who is accused of acting, dressing and talking white because I don’t fit into the angry or bad attitude stereotype. However, you don’t solve fire with fire. Majority of black women, know these stereotypes about them and why these stereotypes exist, nothing new. It’s just like your parent telling you over and over what you do wrong but not telling you or showing you the other way.  How do you learn? One thing I will say is, black people in general have to be more open to therapy and counseling. There’s a reason why someone act the way they do especially for the fact that we have come a long way. Learn to talk about your issues and how to deal with it. I will like to encourage black men to do better than just pointing fingers, running away from the situation, laughing about it, vice versa. I guess, Devale is also referring to his wife. I hope he’s helping her deal with it as opposed to just labeling her as “angry”.

  • moviemonk

    Wow…Reading all of this reminds me of some truths.. Logic is not common place. A person should be smart enough that when a statement is made that may or may not include them, that person treats it as such. In a Tandy world, the phrase “Not All” should be understood. I agree with Devale and his honesty. Usually the squeaky wheel, squeals the loudest. Unfortunately some of us cant process logic. If it does not apply to you, dont take it personally. It kind of telling when women post statements here where they themselves have seen the undercurrent of anger in other black women. Also women have made the point here that when women make broad, stereotypical statements about men, the backlash is low if not damn near nonexistent.  Women pride themselves on being the more verbal gender. Why cant you have a conversation with statements made, evaluation, then responses. Instead of statements, emotional reactions, then restating the previous emotional reactions. The trumphet sounds on the end of black male/female relationships. Period.

  • beauty

    I’m so tired of anger and bad attitude being associated with every black woman. Imagine someone asking me about black men then I answer, locked up. It makes no sense. He should have simply said misunderstood, knowing that it’s a sensitive word.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rita-S-h-Deroverre/100000152487059 Rita S-h Deroverre

    For everyone that agrees with Black women being described as Angry it sad..When u say Black women ur not talkin about a couple smh My family is black and we sure are happy Black women and I’ve met a lot of happy black women so dont fall for the stereotype and agree with it because it ignorant

  • guest

    Looking at all the “ANGRY” comments from so many women proves his point. I’m a black women and I know plenty of angry black women and women of all different races. I’m shocked that so many women would just get so upset about something that they say doesn’t apply to them. Why would his comment effect you so much? Everyone is entitled to what they believe someone else is like. I know personally I have generialized men, women, black and white people all the time. I have that right as a person to have my opinoin about someone. Even if what Im saying isn’t true and doesn’t really apply to the group as an all. I think women need to stop jumping staight to defense mode and maybe people would stop jumping too the conclusion that all black women are”ANGRY”.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Rita-S-h-Deroverre/100000152487059 Rita S-h Deroverre

      “All” that ignorant it like saying All black men dont take care of their kids or All white ppl are educated…Dont fall for the stereotype the media got u people fucked up and yess there are some angry black women but not all Get ur Facts right Until u meet all the black women in the world then u can agree with that

    • beauty

      No, it doesn’t prove anything. Every ethnic group, sex has stereotypes about them but black women have the most negative stereotypes. It’s frustrating, because people always think of negativity when it comes to black women. I know, some black women need to work on their attitude but why don’t people acknowledge the majority of black women who don’t have attitude. It’s even worse that black men join in instead of helping. I don’t see non black men joining in when people say something about their women.

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