Love Is In The Office Air: With Valentine’s Day Upon Us, Black American Workers Are Being Struck By Cupid’s Arrow
Some 41 of 200 of those workers quizzed have embraced romantic relationships since returning to the office.
Cupid’s arrow is hitting its target with Black Americans on the job as Valentine’s Day approaches.
Some 41 of 200 of those workers quizzed have embraced romantic relationships since returning to the office (RTO), based on data provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE. Office love has been reported as something that can bring pros and cons, with a cautious approach often recommended to partakers.
It seems Valentine’s Day is every day at some jobs. A robust 95% of Blacks who have entered romantic relationships since returning to the office are now involved with a coworker. Around 46% stated it had a positive impact on their work, while 12% report the opposite. Some 54% choose not to disclose their relationship matters. All told, ResumeBuilder.com surveyed nearly 1,450 workers aged 18 to 44 at companies that have applied to an RTO policy and mandated employees work there at least once a week.
Other findings for Black workers revealed that 14 out of the 41 report the relationship involved a subordinate, while 21 of 41 say a superior. Some seven out 41 report the relationship got them a raise or promotion.
The work-romance analysis comes as Americans overall are expected to spend a record-breaking $14.2 billion this year on Valentine’s Day, including $2.6 billion on flowers, the National Retail Federation reported. Consumers are anticipated to shell out almost $186 per person on average.
The survey unveiled that the type of those the relationships were broad. They included dating (38%), serious (28%), marriage (17%), very casual (9%), and engaged (7%).
Resume Builder’s Resume and Career Strategist Julia Toothacres offered her take on the topic in a news release.
“While in-office romance has always been around, it’s important to understand the implications of these relationships. There is a power dynamic when it’s a boss/subordinate relationship, which can lead to things like favoritism or getting let go if the relationship ends.”
She added, “I encourage people to check their employee handbook for policies around dating co-workers. Some places don’t allow it, and others require you to acknowledge the relationship.”
Overall, those who stated there is or was a positive impact chalk that up to being more excited to go to work (82%), improving mental health (66%), or the relationship helping them get a raise or promotion (45%).
For those who disclosed a negative impact, they say it mainly stemmed from being stressful to go to work (62%), distraction (58%), and worsening mental health (35%). Some 54% did not disclose a relationship to human resources.
Copycat Controversy: TikTok User Says Cetaphil Stole Idea For Super Bowl Ad
A TikTok user said Cetaphil stole her content for its Super Bowl ad, which featured a father and daughter bonding over Taylor Swift appearing at NFL games.
A TikTok user claims that the skincare brand Cetaphil stole her content as inspiration for its Super Bowl commercial. The advertisement featured a football-loving dad bonding with his daughter through Taylor Swift’s recent NFL game appearances in an uncanny resemblance to the user’s own video.
Sharon Mbabazi originally went viral for posting her heartfelt video in September 2023 of her stepfather coming into her room to discuss Taylor Swift’s impact on the NFL. The singer started appearing at games ever since she started dating Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Then Cetaphil released its own commercial following a similar plotline, where a young girl joins her father in watching a football game with not-so-subtle references of it pertaining to Taylor Swift, after his various attempts to bond with her.
Upon the reveal of the commercial, Mbabazi went back to TikTok to discuss her feelings on the allegedly copycat controversy.
Her stepfather noted that the message was well intentioned, but one that was taken from their real life.
“Here’s the deal, Cetaphil. That is a beautiful story you have in your commercial that is going to be on the SuperBowl, but its our story. Beautiful content, my daughter made the content that you stole,” he said.
Mbabazi’s stepfather urged viewers to call the brand out for taking the story to use in its multimillion-dollar advertisement—brands are known for shelling out the big bucks for their Super Bowl commercials—without giving Mbabazi her due credit.
“Here’s what I want. Swiftie nation do your thing. Taylor Swift call them out on it, Travis [Kelce] call them out. What’s right is what’s right. Give the content creator, that we did months ago, her [credit],” continued the protective parent.
While it is unknown if Cetaphil did in fact steal the idea, the resemblances are there. Not only is the father in the commercial bonding with his daughter through skincare and Taylor Swift while trying to get her to watch football, it also features a mixed-race family, just as the real-life creator’s video did.
Mbabazi posted an update on the matter later, thanking her supporters and noting that Cetaphil has “made things right” with her and her stepfather, with the latter stating that the brand says it aims to represent the growing TikToker.
Nigerian Banking Executive Dies In California Helicopter Crash
Witnesses reported a “wintry mix” of rain, as well as a fire on the helicopter along with downed power lines.
Herbert Wigwe, the CEO of Access Bank, one of the largest and most ambitious banks in Nigeria, died in a helicopter crash in the Mojave Desert in Southern California on Feb. 9 along with his wife, his son, and three others. Bamofin Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former chair of NGX Group, the Nigerian stock exchange, also perished in the crash. According to TheHuffington Post, the death of Wigwe sent shock waves across Nigeria.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance minister and current director-general of the World Trade Organization, wrote on Twitter/X, “Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe … his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash. May the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace.”
Terribly saddened by the news of the terrible loss of Herbert Wigwe , Group CEO Access Bank @HerbertOWigwe , his wife and son as well as Bimbo Ogunbanjo in a helicopter crash. My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Wigwe family, the Ogunbanjo family, Access Bank Group…
The 57-year-old Wigwe had been a leader in Nigeria’s financial industry, creating a pathway for Access Bank to grow beyond Nigeria and operate in several African countries. Wigwe also found the time to establish a university in the Niger Delta, where he hails from. The university is scheduled to open this September. Wigwe was inspired to open the university as a way to give back, saying in 2023 that it was “an opportunity for me to give back to society.”
Festus Keyamo, Nigeria’s minister of aviation and aerospace development expressed his sorrow on Twitter/X, writing, “This is surreal and I am lost for words.” Keyamo continued, “May Almighty God comfort his aged parents and sibling … his immediate family members, his staff, friends across Nigeria and dependents.”
Nigerian presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga wrote on Twitter/X that the death of Wigwe was “a terrible blow” for the banking industries of Nigeria and Africa as a whole, before saying “Wigwe had a big vision to make Access Holdings (the parent company) Africa’s biggest, with all the unquenchable thirst for acquisitions.”
The reported tragic loss of my friend, brother and not-far-away neighbour in Lagos, Herbert Wigwe, the co-founder of Access Bank, the CEO of Access Holdings and the founder of Wigwe University, is very devastating. He was in my office earlier this week (where we took the pictures… pic.twitter.com/3nlXhEFPfQ
The death of Herbert Wigwe is a terrible blow for Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry. Wigwe had a big vision to make Access Holdings Africa’s biggest, with all the unquenchable thirst for acquisitions. He also made a mark in his community, by building a university, that he… pic.twitter.com/9uZdd8wfcV
Michael Graham from the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, said that the crash occurred south of I-15, 75 miles northeast of Barstow, CA. Graham told the Huffington Post that he did not have any information about the crew, but the aircraft was not equipped with a voice recorder in the cockpit, or a flight data recorder, nor was the aircraft required to have them.
The Airbus EC-130 left the Palm Springs airport on Feb. 9 at around 8:45 p.m., headed for Boulder City, NV, which is about 26 miles from Las Vegas, where Super Bowl LVIII was played. The charter flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC, and according to Graham, several people called 911 after witnessing the crash. Graham urged those people to call the NTSB with more information, including photos or videos they may have taken. Witnesses also reported a “wintry mix” of rain, as well as a fire on the helicopter along with downed power lines.
According to Graham, the NTSB is investigating the crash. “This is the beginning of a long process. We will not jump to any conclusions,” Graham said during a news conference. Graham also gave his sympathy to the families and loved ones, saying that the organization “expressed our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this terrible tragedy.”
Popeyes Franchisee Bankruptcy Points At Possible Trend In Restaurant Industry
According to the experts, more franchisee bankruptcies can be expected in 2024, not just those belonging to Popeyes.
In late January, Georgia-based Popeyes franchisee RRG filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, as reported by Restaurant Dive. This franchisee oversees operations for 17 Popeyes locations and is among the first multi-unit franchises to seek bankruptcy protection in 2024.
This filing follows a filing by another Popeyes franchisee, Premier Cajun Kings, which filed for bankruptcy in March 2023 after the death of its owner. Industry experts anticipate more franchisee bankruptcies in 2024, not limited to Popeyes.
Ab Ingram, the executive director of the Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College, suggested that franchisees may navigate these challenges if the economy continues its current upward trajectory.
“For the most part, it depends on the individual operator, what markets they’re in, how well they’ve maintained their units,” Igram said. “If the economy continues to improve, that bodes well for franchisees heading into 2024.”
Eric Danner, a partner in CohnReznick’s restructuring and dispute resolution practice, thinks differently, telling Restaurant Dive that he doesn’t see the economic pressure faced by franchises slackening in 2024. “All of those pressures that the franchisees are citing as causing problems with their operating economic models show really no sign of slackening their impact as you move into 2024,” Danner said. He also pointed out that the restaurant franchises are, in a way, victims of their own success. Following a rush of investors due to the success of the industry during the pandemic, the loans are coming due. “As people bought into the franchise world during COVID, the bulk of that was predominantly borrowed money. And that’s kind of coming home to roost,” he noted.
Compounding the issues faced by some franchises is the relative tightness of the labor market. According to Kevin Clancy, the Global director in CohnReznick’s restructuring and dispute resolution practice, any issue with cash flow or profit margins, often caused by labor shortages, supply shocks (these shocks can be something as small as a harsh winter) or other disruptions can cause operators to default on their loans.
Danner says as the Fed has increased its interest rates, so has the cost of borrowing increased since 2021. “I’ve seen our client’s borrowing costs go up by two to three times,” Danner explained. “That’s significant, especially when you’re talking about borrowing a large principal balance on which to fund an acquisition or significant renovations.” Danner says that the weakest franchises have essentially been eliminated already. “There certainly has been a certain amount of weeding out the weakest that’s taken place in ’22 and ’23.”
As it relates to the recent bankruptcy of the Popeyes franchisee in Georgia, it stems from the failure of three Popeyes locations. According to court documents, RRG “needs to cure those arrearages to avoid lease termination.” Popeyes’ parent company, Restaurant Brands International, has been hit hard by bankruptcies over the last year, including the two Popeyes franchisees and multiple Burger King locations. RBI responded by bringing Burger King locations into closer geographical location with one another in addition to a $400 million branding and restaurant overhaul effort. They did not provide comment to Restaurant Dive when asked if the Popeyes bankruptcies would necessitate intervention on behalf of those franchises.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks assumed full duty after Austin was admitted to the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. According to a statement released on Feb. 8 from Pentagon press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, it is “not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized.”
“At approximately 4:55 pm today, Secretary Austin transferred the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks,” Ryder wrote. “The Deputy Secretary of Defense has assumed the functions and duties. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the White House, and Congress have been notified.”
Following Austin’s hospitalization, questions arose regarding whether he would be in healthy condition to attend planned travel. However, the U.S. defense official said, “The secretary will no longer travel to Brussels, and Wednesday’s Ukraine Defense Contact Group will now be held virtually.”
The first Black defense secretary was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2023. Shortly after his diagnosis, Austin underwent a treatment procedure that required general anesthesia and an overnight stay at Walter Reed. On New Year’s Day, he was admitted again due to complications from the primary procedure, however, Austin failed to make any announcement to the media or other senior administration including President Joe Biden.
Without giving proper notification, many started to question the trust and transparency of the Biden administration. Republican lawmakers pushed criticism of the Pentagon’s handling of Austin’s illness. Austin initiated a press conference on Feb. 1, the first since his hospitalization, addressing the handling of his health issues as a “mistake.”
“We did not handle this right, and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis,” he said. “I should have also told my team and the American public. And I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.”
This latest hospital admission comes as Austin is scheduled to testify to the House Armed Services Committee at the end of this month regarding his failure to notify government leaders. Facing calls of resignation, Committee Chair Mike Rogers said he is disappointed in his colleague’s lack of transparency.
“When you and I last spoke, you promised full transparency,” Rogers wrote. “While you did respond to some of my questions I had for you, a concerning number of questions were not addressed.”
On a personal note, Austin has said the news of his diagnosis hit him hard. He desired to keep things private, but as a public figure, he knows that it is easier said than done. “The news shook me, as I know that it shakes so many others, especially in the Black community. It was a gut punch,” he said. “And frankly, my first instinct was to keep it private. I don’t think it’s news that I’m a pretty private guy. I never like burdening others with my problems. It’s just not my way.”
Femme It Forward Launches Grammy High Tea Party To Celebrate ‘Multidimensional Beings’ In Black Art
Femme It Forward continues to amplify Black women in music through its new event series, the Grammy High Tea Party.
Femme It Forward continues amplifying Black women in music through its new groundbreaking event series, the Grammy High Tea Party. This year’s inaugural event honored 2024 Grammy nominees Coco Jones, Summer Walker, and Halle Bailey.
Held at a lavish estate in the Hollywood Hills, the High Tea Party was a thoughtfully curated event for Grammy honorees and distinguished figures from the music industry. Invitees were asked to follow a “daytime elegance” dress theme that brought out some beautiful high-end fashion moments from this year’s honorees and guests.
Created from the mind of Femme It Forward founder and Live Nation partner Heather Lowery, the Grammy High Tea Party served as the tea party she never got to have as a child.
“I always wanted to have a tea party as a little girl. I’ve never had one. So I thought, what better way to create a unique space to celebrate artists and creatives and visionaries and music than to have a tea party where we get dressed up and look beautiful,” she told BLACKENTERPRISE.
It’s the latest innovative event series from Femme It Forward, which was launched to uplift women of color in the entertainment industry. Since its inception in 2019, Femme It Forward has spread its message through an annual GiveHerFlowHers Awards Gala that has honored the likes of SZA, Teyana Taylor, Lori Harvey, and many more.
The awards ceremony is also the fundraising cornerstone for the Next Gem Femme mentorship program, which connects emerging talent with influential women executives to reshape industry standards. Much like she’s done with the GiveHerFlowHers Gala, Lowery aims to create multisensory events celebrating Black women in entertainment.
With the Grammy High Tea Party, guests enjoyed live classical music with a performance from synchronized swimmers, photo activations with high-fashion tea party-themed hats courtesy of One of a Kind Hats, a Black art installation, and more.
“I think that we are multidimensional beings. So I wanted to create a memorable experience that represents us in all of our layers, not just another party,” Lowery said.
“When women come to a Femme It Forward event, I want them to leave feeling seen, feeling valued, like: ‘We get you, we got you.'”
Up next for Femme It Forward: another year of the Next Gem Femme mentorship program and a follow-up album to 2021’s Big FemmeEnergy Volume 1 that’s in the works.
After more than 20 years of working in the entertainment industry, seeing Femme It Forward’s continued growth is humbling and reassuring for Lowery.
“The feeling is rewarding and very clear that it’s just not about me. It’s bigger than me, and it’s about all of us,” she said. “So to know that I’m walking in my purpose, it’s the most amazing feeling.”
Haitian Couple Embroiled In Dispute With Virginia Town Over Food Truck
The couple has filed a lawsuit claiming Parksley town officials have subjected them to harassment and intimidation.
A Haitian couple in Virginia has filed a lawsuit, claiming that they were subjected to harassment and intimidation in the town of Parksley, leading them to shut down their popular food truck. According to NBC News, Clemene Bastien and Thesler Benoir allege that even members of the city council were involved in the harassment, with one council member reportedly cutting the food truck’s water line and telling them to “Go back to your own country!”
Speaking to NBC Newsthrough an interpreter, Bastien said, “When we first opened, there were a lot of people” ordering food. “And the day after, there were a lot of people. And then…they started harassing us.”
According to the couple’s lawsuit, Parksley passed an edict banning food trucks that they felt was directly aimed at them. The pair also claim that they were threatened with fines and incarceration when they raised concerns about the town’s actions. Bastien and Benoir are being represented by the Institute for Justice, a law firm that alleged that the old railroad town with a population of 800 executed a “string of abuses” against their clients.
According to the lawsuit, “If Theslet and Clemene were not of Haitian descent, Parksley’s town government would not have engaged in this abusive conduct.”
Meanwhile, the town’s council has retained the services of Pender & Coward, who say that the couple’s allegations are “simply not true.” Furthermore, Pender & Coward claim that instead of applying for a conditional use permit, the couple chose to sue. They also maintain that the council member who they allege cut their water supply actually cut an illegal sewage line after the food truck dumped grease into the sewer, causing damage to the city’s sewage system. Anne Lauren and Richard Matthews, attorneys for Pender & Coward, told NBC News that they believe their client will win the case, “We expect to prevail once the evidence is presented.”
According to Jeff Parks, an Accomack County Board of Supervisors member, Parksley “has welcomed any business which operates within the rules.” Parks also told NBC News, “It’s disheartening to see a town that is so open to everyone and welcoming new businesses into its storefronts to be mischaracterized,” Parks said. “We have multiple Haitian businesses, so it wouldn’t make sense that this one was being targeted.”
The pair running the food truck maintain that they have been singled out in the mainly white town. Bastien told NBC News, “We did everything we’re supposed to do.” According to the lawsuit, the town initially welcomed the food truck. However, after town council member Henry Nicholson objected to the food truck because it might interfere with the profitability of his local business, the council banned food trucks in October 2023, except for special events. According to Mayor Frank Russell, it was not supposed to affect the couple’s food truck until their one-year business license expired.
However, according to the lawsuit, Parksley changed their tune once the Institute for Justice got involved. The town then claimed that food trucks had always been illegal due to the town zoning laws and said they would begin collecting a daily fine of $250. They threatened to sentence the pair to 30 days in jail for each day the food truck remained open. As a result, the couple hastily closed the food truck. Bastien told NBC News that the pair are now playing a waiting game. “We’re waiting to see what justice we’re going to get,” Bastien said. “And then we’ll see if we reopen.”
Listen Up: 4 Ways To Improve Your Listening Skills
Here's how to improve your listening skills, sharpen your conversational skills, and upgrade your personal interactions—and your success.
Originally Published Jul. 29, 2014
Are you really listening when someone else is talking? Chances are that you’re not. Of course, you’re probably “hearing” what the other person is saying, but that’s a far cry from being actively engaged in the conversation—listening with the intent to understand and connect more deeply to the speaker. Research demonstrates that listening is a critical skill, especially in the workplace. The inability to listen and understand hinders business relationships, productivity, and personal relationships. You can improve your listening skills and your overall conversations.
How to Improve Your Listening Skills and Every Conversation With These Four Tips:
Avoid Distractions.
Before you begin any conversation, immediately determine that your goal is to listen, learn, and establish rapport. This will keep you focused on the other person and avoid distractions like simultaneous conversations, texting, surfing the internet, staring out the window, or worse. Effective listening requires concentration, so resist the urge to become immersed in anything other than the current conversation. And, if someone interrupts your conversation, politely advise that you will discuss the matter with them later. Remember that the goal is thoughtful engagement, so avoid doing anything that will make the other person feel slighted.
Communicate Engagement.
After successfully avoiding distractions, you’ll have an opportunity to connect more deeply with the speaker. Here, the goal is to demonstrate that you are listening. How do you do that? There are, of course, several different ways. But here are three that successfully communicate engagement: nodding, making good eye contact, and asking good follow-up questions (questions that include key details communicated by the other party and elicit additional information). Using a combination of these will demonstrate that you are listening and add to the value of your overall conversation.
Wait Your Turn.
Interrupting someone is one of the worst things you can do during a conversation. Even if you feel absolutely compelled to share your thoughts, exercise a bit of self-control and wait. Wait until the other person finishes speaking, and then introduce your point. Listen for the right opportunity to chime in. There’ll usually be more than enough time to discuss your contributions without blurting your thoughts all over the other person. If it’s ever happened to you, then you know how disturbing it is—another great reason not to do it!
Provide Feedback and Punctuate.
Conversations are meant for mutual benefit and are structured for participation by both parties. By listening for key details, you can better express your thoughts, ideas, or reactions to the information presented, even if you disagree. This process helps to flesh out ideas and encourages greater understanding between the parties. If you haven’t been listening, it will be difficult to provide meaningful feedback.
Before finalizing the conversation, be sure to punctuate it. Your listening skills pay dividends here as well. Ask: “Have you heard everything necessary to help you seal the deal? Has key information been omitted for next steps? If so, then clear up those details before concluding the conversation.
Remember, the secret to becoming a better conversationalist is listening more and talking less.
Kansas City Mother Faces Felony Charge After Allegedly Placing Infant In Oven, Killing Her
Mariah Thomas has been charged with a felony after she allegedly put her one-month old baby in an oven while the baby slept.
A Kansas City mother, Mariah Thomas, has been charged with a felony after she allegedly put her one-month-old baby in an oven while the baby slept. According to a press release from Jackson County Prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker, police found the baby on Feb. 9 after they responded to a 911 call that described a “non-breathing infant” and when they arrived at the residence, officers found that the small child had “apparent burns,” People reported.
According to Baker, officers were told that Thomas was “putting the child down for a nap and accidentally placed the child in the oven instead of the crib.” The Kansas City Fire Department, which also responded to the scene, pronounced the baby dead at the scene.
According to the criminal complaint, the baby was discovered “in the living room lying in a car seat just inside of the front door” and “had sustained apparent thermal injuries on various parts of her body.” The complaint continued, “She was clothed in a bodysuit over a diaper. The clothing appeared to have melted onto the diaper, and it was very dirty, possibly burned on the backside.”
According to the complaint, a “baby blanket with significant burn marks” was also found at the scene and collected by officers. Before the call was placed, the baby’s grandfather returned to the home and smelled smoke and later found the child in the crib, deceased. After this, the complaint says, Thomas said that she “accidentally put her in the oven”
According to Baker, Thomas is now facing a “Class A felony of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in the 1st Degree, Death of a Child.” If Thomas is found guilty, she will be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. People reported that as of Feb 12, it is not yet known whether Thomas has retained the services of an attorney to represent her.
BE EXCLUSIVE: Phaedra Parks Talks Reality Television And Her Illustrious Career
Reality TV star, serial entrepreneur, and successful attorney, Phaedra Parks is peeling back the peach that gave her a start and showing the world her growth.
Reality TV star, serial entrepreneur, and successful attorney Phaedra Parks is peeling back the layers of her start in the industry, her growth, and the most important parts of her journey.
We first met Parks as a member of the iconic assembled cast of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, but there is another side to the southern belle.
Since deciding to return to reality TV, Parks’ appearance on this season’s “Married To Medicine has only sparked debate about her return to Bravo and mounted curiosity about what she’s been up to after leaving her previous series permanently.
Black Enterprise spoke with Phaedra about her long-standing career as an attorney, Her nonprofit and other charitable work, and her return to Bravo.
What made you want to become an attorney, and what about the profession stood out to you?
I initially wanted to become an attorney so that I would have credibility to become a politician. I’m from a very political family. And so my aunt was the first woman to ever be elected to citywide politics in Georgia. And so she’s the only one that has a nationally funded federal park in her honor, you know, for the whole, I think, for the whole southeast, if not the world. So that’s just something that’s in my blood.
My godfather is a huge politician. I’ve been around politics all my life, between politics and the church. That has been my upbringing. My parents are educators. My dad owns an insurance company. So I have literally been just in that life all my life. So, when I went to law school, I went with the sole purpose of getting a degree and becoming the insurance commissioner because I was already licensed in maybe 23 states when I went to college.
Working during the summers, Geico put me through undergrad and law school. I worked in the DC office. I worked in their Georgia office, and I worked in the Atlanta office.
So, I was so knowledgeable about insurance. I was just like, this is a no-brainer; I’ll be the insurance commissioner. But, of course, things obviously did not go that way. I became an entertainment attorney… I have a boutique firm, and we’ve been in business now 20 years.
Do you have a personal connection to your passion for social justice? If so, what is it?
To whom much is given, much is required. So I was at the forefront of, you know, marching [and] advocacy [work] before it became the popular thing to do. Ben Crump and I had worked together for years in the medical malpractice space. And you know, as you said, Trayvon Martin, when that first murder happened, of Mike, in St. Louis, I was, I think, the first person on the scene with CNN to really advocate for justice and, as a Black woman with two brothers and a father.
I would see, and even in law school, I would see how African American men were treated very differently from African American women and from the majority, and for me, it really means something to level the playing field. And that’s the reason I really created [a scholarship].
I have a scholarship at the University of Georgia, where I serve as the law school president for the Alumni Association, and it’s specifically created for minorities, who are first-generation lawyers, to pay their entire way through school. This year, I created another scholarship to bridge the gap for people who had homes, you know, [or] faced homelessness because they couldn’t afford housing.
You said, “If you’re not making money in your sleep, you will work until you die,” From your experience, why do you think people fail at business?
I think it’s, you can start a business. But financial literacy is the core of any business person who’s going to be successful because you can make all the money in the world. But if you’re not savvy with investments, learning how to turn that money into non-taxable money, passive income, you will work the rest of your life.
And for us people of color, we have not had, you know, we a lot of us haven’t had the opportunity to make, you know, enough money to say, Hey, I’m going to get an annuity, or I’m going to invest in a whole life policy that will pay me back, and you can shelter the income in that insurance policy.
There’s no such thing as a microwave millionaire. It takes work, it takes savviness, it takes knowing the right people to handle your money, knowing how to invest that money, and knowing how to shelter income in different ways…I’ve just been blessed to have like very smart people in my circle, but I’ve been blessed to be around many millionaires. I have watched them. Because if your circle, that if you don’t have in your circle people who are smarter than you, more wealthy than you, you’re in the wrong circle.
What made you want to come back to reality TV?
Well, a lot of people were asking me to come back to the housewives. When I left Bravo, I went over to WE-TV and did a lot of shows over there. Of course, Andy Cohen and I are very close friends. I knew him before Housewives was even a thing. And so we always kept in touch because I had lunch with him and was pretty instrumental in getting “Being Bobby Brown” on Bravo, which was their breakout show that opened the network up to a whole new audience. And that relationship we’ve always kept in touch.
He’s always been a very good friend to me. So he was like, we gotta get you back. You know, the fans love you, they miss you, but I was of the mindset that it had to be the right fit for my family… so I was dating a cardiologist, and you know, Dr. Jackie, who is a friend of mine outside the show, she’s like, “I need to set you up with a doctor.”
[I told her] I’m already dating one. From that statement, [she said], Oh, you gotta come to marriage medicine. [Initially] I was like, Oh, I don’t know. I don’t know. She was like, “No, just come, just come. You know, different show different, you know, vibe, different ladies. We’re professionals, and we understand you as a professional”. So I said, Okay, well, you know, I’ll try it. So it’s been a match made in heaven.
What would you say to the fans who say, “We want to see the old Phaedra or, in better terms, the Phaedra that they grew to love on your previous show?
Well, [my response] would be that life is about evolving and reinvention. So I’m not with the same people. So obviously, this is my first season [on Married to Medicine]. And, you know, some people come in too hot. They already had, you know, of course, people have reservations because, oh, you know, you’re the shade queen. But as you will know, I don’t shade people unless it’s obviously very necessary.
But, you know, I wanted to come in, get to know everybody, enjoy myself, not, you know, be too overbearing, or, you know, too aggressive. And you know, you’ll see more, but this show is very different than they are very different. There, their focus is not the constant drama. I can appreciate that these are definitely more conservative women, they’re older women, they’re professionals. And so, you know, I respect that. And they respect me as a professional. So it’s a different show.
Now, I think I’ve added a little spice to it, but it’s definitely a different show. So it’s not the housewives, you know, housewives a different vibe, totally. But I’m enjoying it, so they will see it. But of course, I’m on the traitors. So, if you want to see more of the “pop-off” Phaedra, well, go to The Traitors.
Tune in to Married to Medicine, which airs on Sundays at 9 pm ET/PT on Bravo and the next day on Peacock.
Want more of Phaedra? You can watch her on season 2 of The Traitors every week, with all-new episodes dropping every Thursday at 6 pm PT/9 pm ET only on Peacock.
