Khaliah, 50, got engaged to music industry executive Jason Flom in Southern California last week after more than a year of dating. She told PEOPLE that her fiancé's proposal took her completely by surprise.

“Even with all of the amazing work he does, he may be missing his calling because he was so stealthy he could be in the secret service!” she joked.

Flom, 63, popped the question with a conflict-free, 15-carat blue topaz ring set in platinum that was designed by Jessica Ranek. The topaz is from Brazil, and the surrounding two stones are from Nigeria.

Jessica Ranek

Jason Flom (left) and Khaliah Ali

Khaliah said Flom is the "reason I believe in unconditional love."

"Being with him is the gift that keeps giving, and loving and supporting him makes the world a better place. I am so blessed to wake up every day next to a man who truly deeply makes me happy, feel safe and laugh," she told PEOPLE.

"He's the best dad ever and I am the luckiest girl in the world," she continued. "We have built a beautiful life and family together. Dreams do come true!“

Jessica Ranek

A closeup look at Khaliah Ali's engagement ring

As for Flom, he describes Khaliah — one of the late boxing legend's nine children — as "the love of my life."

"Khaliah has a pure heart, an indomitable spirit and a magical smile that lights up my heart and our home," he tells PEOPLE. "She has made her mark in the worlds of fashion and culture, and her advocacy for people who are most in need inspires me."

He adds, "Having Khaliah as my forever partner makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world.”

Jessica Ranek

Jason Flom and Khaliah Ali

The pair began dating in January 2023 after first connecting over their work advocating for criminal justice reform. Flom — who is the founder of Lava Records and was previously chairman of Atlantic Records and Virgin Records/Capitol Music Group — advocates for the innocent on his podcast Wrongful Conviction.

They met through Khaliah’s son Jacob, whom she shares with her ex-husband Spencer Wertheimer. Jacob is a recent Harvard graduate who is interested in criminal law. Flom has two children, Allison and Mike, who also share their father's passion for criminal justice reform.

Jessica Ranek

Jason Flom (left) and Khaliah Ali

Both Khaliah and Flom have advocated in the past for those they believe have been wrongfully imprisoned.

Khaliah told PEOPLE last year that her now-fiancé "embodies the spirit" of her late father.

"He is selfless, relentless, unapologetic," she said. "His mission to end mass incarceration is so reminiscent of my father’s spirit and aspirations."

Flom told PEOPLE at the time that one of Khaliah's "superpowers" is "caring… and making sure others feel safe and heard."

"[We share] a deep love of our wonderful children, our dogs and each other,” he said. "We are both driven to do our part to make our justice system and our society fairer and better for everyone."