Wendy Osefo

Dr. Wendy Onyinye Osefo (née Ozuzu,[1] born May 21, 1984) is a Nigerian-American political commentator, public affairs academic, and television personality. She is an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Education, and a main cast member of The Real Housewives of Potomac.

Dr.

Wendy Osefo
Born
Wendy Onyinye Ozuzu

(1984-05-21) May 21, 1984
Nigeria
Spouse
Edward Osefo
​
(m. 2011)​
Children3
Academic background
EducationTemple University (BA)
Johns Hopkins University (MA)
Rutgers University–Camden (MS, PhD)
ThesisEngaging Low-Income Parents in Schools: Beyond the PTA Meeting (2016)
Doctoral advisorGloria Bonilla-Santiago
Academic work
InstitutionsJohns Hopkins School of Education
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

Born 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-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

Osefo is a contributor for The Hill, the founder and chief executive officer of 1954 Equity, and an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Education.[7] In 2014, she served as the inaugural director of the Masters of Arts in Management Program at Goucher College.[5]

She is a 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.[8]

In 2020, it was announced that Osefo had joined the fifth season of The Real Housewives of Potomac.[9]

Awards and recognition
  • In 2017, Osefo was named one of 12 Pan African Women to Watch by Face2Face Africa.[10][11]
  • She received the 2017 Outstanding Graduate Award from her alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.[12]
  • Also in 2017, she received the Distinguished Recent Alumni Award from The Johns Hopkins University.[13]
  • She is the recipient of the Diversity Recognition Award.
  • Osefo was named in the 2017 40 Under 40 class by the Baltimore Business Journal.[14]
  • The Baltimore Sun named Osefo as one of the 25 Women to Watch.[15]
  • She was named a 2018 Black Women in Media honoree for her work in media and television.

Personal life

In August 2011, she married Edward Osefo.[1][16] The two reside in Finksburg, Maryland with their three children.[14] Their relationship is regularly showcased on The Real Housewives of Potomac.

She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[17]

References
  1. "BLACK WEDDING STYLE: Nigerian Couple Marries Modernity and Tradition". EBONY. June 15, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Otumu, George Elijah (January 13, 2018). "MAKING NIGERIA PROUD OVERSEAS: DR. WENDY OSEFO". Nigeria Standard Newspaper. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  5. "Wendy Osefo '16". Rutgers University–Camden. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
  6. Osefo, Wendy (2016). Engaging low-income parents in schools (Thesis). Rutgers University - Camden Graduate School. doi:10.7282/T3HH6NBJ. OCLC 974771468.
  7. "Meet The CEO". The 1954 Equity Project. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  8. "Wendy Osefo, PhD". JHU School of Education. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  9. 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.
  10. "Wendy Osefo, PhD". JHU School of Education. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  11. Nkem, Omolayo (2017-06-02). "12 Influential Young Pan-African Women to Watch". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved 2022-09-01.
  12. "The Outstanding Recent Graduate Award | Johns Hopkins Alumni". alumni.jhu.edu. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  13. Nkem, Omolayo (June 2, 2017). "12 Influential Young Pan-African Women to Watch". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  14. Carley, Milligan. "40 Under 40: Wendy Osefo, Johns Hopkins University". Baltimore Business Journal. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  15. Prudente, Tim (September 25, 2017). "The Baltimore Sun's 25 Women to Watch in 2017". baltimoresun.com.
  16. "Stylish Nigerian Wedding in Baltimore, Maryland: Wendy + Eddie". MunaLuchi Bride. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
  17. Herz, Jane (2020-08-16). "These Real Housewives of Potomac Members Have A Big Connection To Kamala Harris". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
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