Single dad goes viral to find wife
Vashaad Randolph recognized that his perfect partner could live absolutely anywhere, even on another continent.
So he cast a wide net when he began the search for a wife. When his experience on dating apps led him to believe that many other users weren’t looking for a serious relationship, he tried a different method — and it went viral.
That was July 29, when Randolph — a 28-year-old single father of a 4-year-old daughter named A’miyah — posted on Facebook about his search for a “friend, wife & business partner/stepmother.”
Vashaad Randolph will appear at 8 p.m. Wednesday on the podcast “Love Rants: Meet Your Match.” For information, visit getvokl.com.
The lengthy post highlighted his bona fides as a member of the Ohio National Guard, being employed full-time in the finance field, and a budding entrepreneur who owns a neon sign business.
Randolph also was clear about his desire to find a loving partner and motherly figure for his daughter, who currently lives with Randolph’s mother in his native Memphis, Tennessee, while he tries to get his own business off the ground.
Never could he have anticipated that his post would garner 11,000 likes, nearly 5,000 comments and be shared more than 4,000 times. Since the viral post, Randolph has been flooded with requests from interested women.
“Facebook allows people all over the world to reach one another, so I feel like it was the perfect place to put it — why not?” said Randolph, who moved to Newark in Licking County in December for work.
“I would love to start building with someone of substance, not just anybody.”
Randolph has been on several virtual dates, but he’s still on the hunt for Mrs. Right, which led him to agree to an upcoming appearance on an online matchmaking show. On Wednesday, Randolph will be the featured guest on the virtual, interactive dating podcast “Love Rants: Meet Your Match” hosted by relationship guru Stacii Jae Johnson.
"Love Rants“is part of a weekly content block dedicated to dating and relationships on Getvokl, a free livestreaming platform for podcasters that is available online or via a mobile app.
Getvokl CEO Alexander Riesenkampff founded the platform this year to provide daily podcasts and content on a variety of topics. Today, Getvokl features 150 podcasters whose weekly shows cover true crime, pop culture, spirituality and comedy.
The Wednesday block, called “The Connection Zone,” is among the highest trafficked, and Johnson’s "Love Rants“is particularly popular, Riesenkampff said.
“I think Stacii’s show really talks through the relationship aspects of love and how to navigate that,” Randolph said. “It inspires them and gives them hope that there are great people out there worth finding.”
Typical episodes of “Love Rants” feature Johnson and celebrity guests talking about love and dating. But because the pandemic has made dating difficult, she introduced in March a twice-monthly special edition of the program called “Meet Your Match” in which she helps connect Black singles for virtual speed dates.
“Meet Your Match” typically features two men or two women searching for love with the help of Johnson, who uses an algorithm to identify matches among possible suitors who fill out a 14-part questionnaire. But because of his viral fame, Randolph will be the sole special guest this Wednesday.
“Vashaad has done all the work to put himself in a position to attract the love he desires and deserves, so as a coach and a matchmaker I want to be part of that story,” Johnson said. “He’s not just willing to get love, he’s willing to give love.”
Randolph is eager for the experience, saying that he is ready to find love wherever and whenever it is ready to find him.
“I can’t say I won’t find my person through talking to her,” Randolph said. “I’m definitely keeping my heart and mind open to that person who fits in my life and my daughter’s life.” elagatta@dispatch.com @Ericlagatta