Super Single Sisters - single African American women

Ebony, July, 2000

Actress, doctor, radio personality, professional basketball star and college professor are among this year's top 26 picks

FROM every part of the country, the women who grace the following pages are head-turners in every sense of the word. These Sisters are superattractive, supersuccessful, and supermotivated and looking for Brothers who can keep up. Most say they are attracted to men who are spiritual in nature, honest in principle and strong in body and soul.

Atlanta radio personality Tara Thomas says her ideal man must be a person who is easygoing, able to pay his bills and "loves to talk in bed before you fall asleep."

Meanwhile, actress Sherri Shephard says her Mr. Right "has to love his mama, but not be a mama's boy." And one more thing, she says: "If he spends more time in the mirror than I do, no thank you!"

Sherri Shepard, Los Angeles

A Chicago native, actress Sherri Shepard juggles recurring roles on three of the nation's highest-rated sitcoms--Everybody Loves Raymond, Suddenly Susan, and The Jamie Foxx Show. She recently purchased a $300,000 home in the San Fernando Valley. When she's not working, she enjoys karaoke, dancing and skiing. Her dream guy is spiritual man who is secure in who he is, has a vision for the future and can make her laugh.

Melissa Weathersby, 29, Marion, Texas

The owner of a mortgage company, Weathersby owns a spacious three-bedroom ranch home situated on three acres. Multifaceted, she competes in rodeo barrel-racing contests with her $10,000 horse, Bunni. She calls herself a "sport fanatic" and says she is attracted to a man who is self-confident, ambitious, athletic and God-fearing. "I would like to meet someone who is compassionate and romantic [and] has a sense of his purpose in life."

Sharon Daniel, 32, Chicago

A communications specialist, Daniel enjoys traveling, weight training, movies and reading. She hates dishonesty and "frugal" men. Her ideal mate is 30-35, attractive, intelligent, self-sufficient, financially independent, compassionate and trustworthy. "Someone who enjoys traveling, working out, quiet time and believes in God," she says.

Dr. Tamyra Comeaux, 31, Houston

An obstetrican/gynecologist, Comeaux is a graduate of Morehouse School of Medicine. She enjoys whitewater rafting, snorkeling, making ceramics and traveling. Her ideal man is in his late 20s to early 30s, at least 6 feet tall, and is preferably a professional with artistic ability. "I like a man who is very secure, independent, confident," she says.

Mweni Ekpo, 28, Fort Wayne, Ind.

An attorney for a Fortune 500 financial services corporation, Ekpo does general litigation work. When she's not poring over her legal briefs, she enjoys traveling, listening to music and watching movies. Her ideal man is "one who says what he means and does what he says he'll do."

Tina Thompson, 25, Houston

The 6-foot-2 center for the WNBA's Houston Comets, Thompson was introduced to basketball when she was 9 by her older brother Tommy. Since then, she has become a terror in the paint. But that hasn't stopped her from looking good in the process. She always wears her lipstick during games.

Tara Thomas, 26, Atlanta

Producer for the No. 1-ranked "Frank Ski Morning Show" on Atlanta's V-103 FM, Thomas is adored by radio listeners in the Atlanta metropolitan area. Recently named as one of the 100 most influential women in media by a national magazine, Thomas spends her free time volunteering for local charities, watching television and hitting her favorite "happy hour" spot on Friday nights. Her ideal man is professional, easygoing and God-fearing. "I love a man who knows what he wants. He must have a plan for his life ... He needs to have a good relationship with his mother ... I want to date a man who can teach me something--someone I can learn from," she says.

Sharon Chambers, 33, Waterport, N.Y.

A supervisor for a mortgage company, Chambers enjoys jazz concerts, broadway plays, traveling and walks in the park. Her ideal man "puts Christ first in his life. He is a man who is committed, ambitious, goal-oriented, honest and understands the importance of family."

Brenda Brown, 37, Chicago

A developer and investor in real estate, Brown enjoys traveling, and wants to study different religions and travel to faraway lands. When she's not closing a real estate deal, Brown enjoys the company of a man who sets no limits in life and has respect for women. "He must have a good heart, kind spirit and want to live life to the max," she says.

Eryca Dawson, 31, Upper Marlboro, Md.

The voice-over talent for a major telecommunications company, Dawson has recorded some 16,000 recordings, such as "What city and state" and "directory assistance." The Washington, D.C., native enjoys cooking, reading and camping, and prefers a man who is a "really together Brother who doesn't play a game called, `Catch me if you can, and if you do, I'm not ready!"

Tracy Thompson, 34, East Lansing, Mich.

An assistant university professor, Thompson is conducting research that investigates the social impact of genetic testing on communities of color. A California native, she enjoys fishing, bike riding, skiing, martial arts and attending sporting events. Her ideal man is "spiritually grounded, emotionally secure, physically fit and financially independent."