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Wendy Osefo
Wendy Osefo Behind the Scenes (cropped).jpg
Born
Wendy Onyinye Ozuzu

(1984-05-21) May 21, 1984 (age 41)
Education Temple University (BA)
Johns Hopkins University (MA)
Rutgers University–Camden (MS, PhD)
Spouse(s)
Edward Osefo
(m. 2011)
Children 3
Scientific career
Institutions Johns Hopkins School of Education
Thesis Engaging Low-Income Parents in Schools: Beyond the PTA Meeting (2016)
Doctoral advisor Gloria Bonilla-Santiago

Wendy Onyinye Osefo, born on May 21, 1984, is a Nigerian-American who works in many interesting fields. She is known as a political expert, a university teacher, and a TV star. Many people know her from the TV show The Real Housewives of Potomac. Wendy has also won awards for her work in journalism.

Early Life and Learning

Wendy Osefo was born into an Igbo family in Nigeria. When she was three years old, her family moved to the United States. They first lived in Durham, North Carolina, before settling in Maryland.

Her College Journey

Wendy studied at several universities to earn her degrees.

  • She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Temple University. Political science is the study of how governments work.
  • She then received a master's degree in government from Johns Hopkins University.
  • In 2012, she completed another master's degree in public affairs from Rutgers University–Camden. This degree focused on how to help communities grow and improve.

Making History with Her PhD

In 2016, Wendy Osefo made history. She became the first Black woman to earn a PhD in public affairs and community development from Rutgers University-Camden. A PhD is the highest degree you can get in a field of study. Her special research project, called a dissertation, was about how to get parents more involved in schools. Her advisor for this important work was Gloria Bonilla-Santiago.

Wendy Osefo's Career

Wendy Osefo has had a busy and successful career. She shares her ideas and knowledge in many ways.

Sharing Her Views

Wendy is a writer for The Hill, which is a newspaper that covers politics. She often shares her thoughts on current events and government.

Helping Others Learn

She is also the founder and CEO of a company called 1954 Equity. Before that, she was a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Education. In 2014, she helped start a new master's degree program at Goucher College.

Community Involvement

Wendy has also served on the boards of several important organizations. These include the Youth to Israel Program for Congressman Elijah Cummings, the Children's Scholarship Fund Baltimore, and The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Schools. These roles show her dedication to helping young people and improving education.

On Television

In 2020, Wendy Osefo joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Potomac. This TV show follows the lives of women living in Potomac, Maryland.

Awards and Special Recognition

Wendy Osefo has received many awards for her hard work and contributions.

  • In 2017, Face2Face Africa named her one of 12 Pan African Women to Watch.
  • She received the Outstanding Graduate Award from Johns Hopkins University in 2017.
  • Also in 2017, she earned the Distinguished Recent Alumni Award from Johns Hopkins University.
  • She was given the Diversity Recognition Award.
  • The Baltimore Business Journal included her in their 2017 "40 Under 40" list, which highlights successful young professionals.
  • The Baltimore Sun newspaper named her one of "25 Women to Watch."
  • In 2018, she was honored as a Black Woman in Media for her work in television.

Personal Life

Wendy Osefo married Edward Osefo in August 2011. They live in Finksburg, Maryland, with their three children. Their family life is sometimes shown on The Real Housewives of Potomac. The Osefo family is Catholic.

Wendy is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is a sorority. A sorority is a social and service organization for women in college.

She supported Kamala Harris in the 2024 United States presidential election.

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