Wendy Onyinye Osefo (née Ozuzu,[1] born May 21, 1984) is a Nigerian-American political commentator, public affairs academic, and television personality. She is a main cast member of The Real Housewives of Potomac. Wendy practices in the field of journalism and has received rewards recognizing her contributions to the field of journalism.
Wendy Osefo | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Wendy Onyinye Ozuzu May 21, 1984 |
| Spouse |
Edward Osefo (m. 2011) |
| Children | 3 |
| Academic background | |
| Education | Temple University (BA) Johns Hopkins University (MA) Rutgers University–Camden (MS, PhD) |
| Thesis | Engaging Low-Income Parents in Schools: Beyond the PTA Meeting (2016) |
| Doctoral advisor | Gloria Bonilla-Santiago |
| Academic work | |
| Institutions | Johns Hopkins School of Education |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
editBorn to an Igbo family in Nigeria, Osefo immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 3 to Durham, North Carolina[2] before settling in Maryland.[3] She earned a Bachelor's degree in political science from Temple University and a Master of Arts degree in government from Johns Hopkins University. In 2012, Osefo completed a M.Sc. in public affairs with a concentration in community development from Rutgers University–Camden.
In 2016, she became the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in public affairs and community development from Rutgers University-Camden.[4][5] Her dissertation is entitled Engaging low-income parents in schools: beyond the PTA meeting. Gloria Bonilla-Santiago was Osefo's doctoral advisor.[6]
Career
editOsefo is a contributor for The Hill, the founder and chief executive officer of 1954 Equity, and a former assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Education.[7][8] In 2014, she served as the inaugural director of the Masters of Arts in Management Program at Goucher College.[5]
She is a former board member for the late Congressman Elijah Cummings' Youth to Israel Program, Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore, and The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Schools.[9]
In 2020, it was announced that Osefo had joined the fifth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac.[10]
Awards and recognition
edit- In 2017, Osefo was named one of 12 Pan African Women to Watch by Face2Face Africa.[11][12]
- She received the 2017 Outstanding Graduate Award from her alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.[13]
- Also in 2017, she received the Distinguished Recent Alumni Award from The Johns Hopkins University.[14]
- She is the recipient of the Diversity Recognition Award.
- Osefo was named in the 2017 40 Under 40 class by the Baltimore Business Journal.[15]
- The Baltimore Sun named Osefo as one of the 25 Women to Watch.[16]
- She was named a 2018 Black Women in Media honoree for her work in media and television.
Personal life
editIn August 2011, she married Edward Osefo.[1][17] The two reside in Finksburg, Maryland with their three children.[15] Their relationship is regularly showcased on The Real Housewives of Potomac. The family is Catholic.[18]
She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[19]
Osefo supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election.[20]
References
edit- ^ a b "BLACK WEDDING STYLE: Nigerian Couple Marries Modernity and Tradition". EBONY. June 15, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Osefo, Dr. Wendy (August 18, 2017). "I came to this country when I was 3 and the first place I called home was #Durham NC. Please keep my hometown in your prayers #DefendDurham". Twitter. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ Herz, Jane (August 2, 2020). "Wendy Osefo, New Real Housewives of Potomac Star: Five Fast Facts You Need To Know". Heavy. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
- ^ Otumu, George Elijah (January 13, 2018). "MAKING NIGERIA PROUD OVERSEAS: DR. WENDY OSEFO". Nigeria Standard Newspaper. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ a b "Wendy Osefo '16". Rutgers University–Camden. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
- ^ Osefo, Wendy (2016). Engaging low-income parents in schools (Thesis). Rutgers University - Camden Graduate School. doi:10.7282/T3HH6NBJ. OCLC 974771468.
- ^ "Meet The CEO". The 1954 Equity Project. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ^ Sederstrom, Jill (October 6, 2024). "Wendy Osefo Emotionally Reveals Why She's No Longer a Professor: "Other Things To Do"". The Daily Dish. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
- ^ "Wendy Osefo, PhD". JHU School of Education. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
- ^ Zafar, Nina (August 3, 2020). "Wendy Osefo is a professor, political commentator and philanthropist. She's also the newest 'Real Housewife.'". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
- ^ "Wendy Osefo, PhD". JHU School of Education. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
- ^ Nkem, Omolayo (2017-06-02). "12 Influential Young Pan-African Women to Watch". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
- ^ "The Outstanding Recent Graduate Award | Johns Hopkins Alumni". alumni.jhu.edu. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ Nkem, Omolayo (June 2, 2017). "12 Influential Young Pan-African Women to Watch". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
- ^ a b Carley, Milligan. "40 Under 40: Wendy Osefo, Johns Hopkins University". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved 1 February 2018.[dead link]
- ^ Prudente, Tim (September 25, 2017). "The Baltimore Sun's 25 Women to Watch in 2017". baltimoresun.com.
- ^ "Stylish Nigerian Wedding in Baltimore, Maryland: Wendy + Eddie". MunaLuchi Bride. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- ^ Singleton, Sheridan (2023-11-21). "'RHOP' Is Demonizing the Culture and Spirituality of Nigeria". Collider. Retrieved 2023-12-11.
- ^ Herz, Jane (2020-08-16). "These Real Housewives of Potomac Members Have A Big Connection To Kamala Harris". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
- ^ Harris, Raquel (2024-11-05). "Halle Berry, Kumali Nanjiani, Andy Cohen and More Celebrate Election Day With 'I Voted' Selfies". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
External links
edit- Wendy Osefo at IMDb
- Appearances on C-SPAN