DETROIT (WWJ ) – Nearly half of first marriages break up within 20 years, that’s the news from a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Newsradio 950′s Stephanie Davis has the story about one local group that is encouraging marriage over ‘shacking-up’.

Marriage is still a good thing says Melvin Logan Board member with the Marriage Resource center in Detroit.

He says marriage takes work, communication and sex are key: “As men, we have to tell our wives what we want, ‘Hey, I would like it if you had some pumps on, and one of my white shirts when I came home from work,’” said Logan.

Logan says marriage is the cornerstone for stability in the African-American.

“And that’s really where a healthy society can springboard from – is the confines of marriage,” said Logan.

“Within the African-American community, throughout the country, we had a huge problem, in the sense of a lot of relationships, that people were chosing to co-habitate instead of marriage,” said Logan. “They need to see and hear about positive marriages.”

Linda, his wife of 27 years, says she pulled out the pumps: “Yes, I did … I must say I did.”

They are hosting Black Marriage Day at the African-American Museum in Detroit Friday and Saturday.

NBC’s former Biggest Loser, Carla Triplett among those to take part in the event.