April Ryan has spent nearly thirty years dodging verbal bullets and asking the questions that make presidents squirm. She is the longest-serving Black woman in the White House press corps. You’ve seen her on CNN and TheGrio, usually with a notebook in hand and a no-nonsense look on her face. But for a long time, her personal life was a bit of a vault. People wondered: who is the person behind the scenes supporting one of the toughest journalists in D.C.?
Honestly, for a while, the answer was "nobody." After a previous divorce, Ryan was pretty vocal about being done with marriage. She was a single mom, raising her two daughters, Ryan and Grace, and she seemed totally fine with that being her reality forever. Then James Ewing walked into the picture—or rather, bumped into her at an airport—and everything changed.
Meet James Ewing: The Man Behind the Headlines
So, who is April Ryan’s husband? His name is James William Ewing. He isn’t a politician or a media mogul, which is probably why you haven’t seen him plastered all over the news until recently.
Ewing is a retired Navy officer who dedicated 25 years of his life to military service. That kind of background brings a certain level of discipline and calm, which, let's be real, you probably need if you're married to someone who spends their days in the high-pressure cooker of the West Wing.
Beyond his military career, he’s an entrepreneur. He and April actually started a business together called Jare Candles. It’s a bit of a pivot from the Navy and the White House, but it’s something they built as a team.
The Chance Encounter at BWI
The way they met sounds like something out of a Hallmark movie, which April has poked fun at herself. They were already "connected" on social media—following each other but not really talking. Then, fate decided to intervene at the Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) airport.
They ran into each other physically, started talking, and the rest moved fast. By their third date, James told her he loved her.
April has been very open about the fact that she had "put herself on a shelf." She didn't think a second-chance love story was in the cards. She’s famously quoted saying she’d never get married again. James changed that.
The Wedding: A "Second Chance" Celebration
On October 14, 2023, the couple tied the knot at the Gramercy Mansion in Baltimore. It wasn't just a small, quiet affair; it was a star-studded event that reflected April's massive influence in Washington and beyond.
The guest list was a "who’s who" of Black excellence and political power. We’re talking about:
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- Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary star)
- Ronnie DeVoe (of New Edition fame)
- Susan Rice (former Domestic Policy Advisor)
- Valerie Jarrett (former senior advisor to Obama)
Even the sitting President, Joe Biden, and former President Barack Obama sent personal letters of congratulations. That’s not your average wedding toast.
What the Day Looked Like
The theme was "romantic garden." April wore a blush-toned gown from Ransom’s Boutique—her daughters, Ryan and Grace, walked her halfway down the aisle. It was a family affair through and through.
They danced their first dance to "You Put a Move on My Heart" by Quincy Jones and Tamia. It was a vibe. But it wasn't just about the glitz; April described it as a "covenant."
Addressing the Misconceptions
When you search for information about April Ryan's husband, you sometimes run into old or flat-out wrong information.
- The "Secret" Husband: For a few years before they married, April mentioned a "James" in interviews but kept his full name and face mostly out of the spotlight. This led to a lot of internet sleuthing and some weird theories. Now we know it was James Ewing all along.
- The First Marriage: April was previously married to a man named James Panton. Because both her ex-husband and her current husband share the name James, it’s caused a fair amount of confusion in search results and older articles.
- Career Myths: Some people assume she’d marry another journalist or a politician. James is a military man turned businessman. It’s a grounded pairing that seems to work for her high-octane lifestyle.
Why This Matters
Why do we care about a reporter's husband? In April’s case, it’s about the human side of a woman who has had to be "on" for decades. She’s lived through five different presidential administrations. She’s been yelled at by press secretaries and targeted by trolls.
Finding James was, in her own words, a "second chance." It reminds people that you don’t have to have your whole life figured out by 30, and love doesn't have an expiration date.
James isn't just a "plus one." April often credits him with being her sounding board and someone who handles the "big and little things" so she can keep doing the work of holding power to account.
Actionable Insights for Fans of April Ryan
If you've been following April Ryan's journey and want to keep up with her and James, here is what you can do:
- Check out Jare Candles: Support their joint business venture. It’s a glimpse into their life together outside of the news cycle.
- Read her book At Mama's Knee: While it’s about race and motherhood, it gives deep context into the family values April brings into her marriage with James.
- Follow her on Instagram: She’s much more open now about sharing photos of their life together, from their honeymoon in Italy to D.C. events.
- Understand the privacy balance: While she’s public about the marriage, James still keeps a relatively low profile compared to her. Respecting that boundary is part of being a fan of her work.
April Ryan’s story with James Ewing isn't just a celebrity wedding; it’s a narrative about resilience. She found someone who wasn't intimidated by her light, and that’s a win in any book.