On the latest Raised by Her, Donnica brings some raw, incredible news from her alma mater. Seven Black women just made history by graduating as co-valedictorians, each maintaining an absolute 4.0 GPA over four years. 📉

One of the philosophy majors, Nia-Sarai Perry, was ready to accept an A-minus her junior year just to get across the stage, but her classmate Alexis Sims explicitly pulled her aside, held court in the cafeteria, and forced her to retake the class to protect her trajectory. Ro Nita argues that in an educational landscape that routinely fields attacks on diversity and African American communities, watching the number one HBCU function as a literal machine that pumps out doctor, lawyer, and executive pipelines is the ultimate response. 🏛️⚖️

TIL: The Spelman Seven didn't break the record by competing against each other; they broke it by holding the line together. If your "excellence" requires you to win alone, you’re doing it wrong.

On the latest Raised by Her, Donnica and Ro Nita strip away the standard corporate PR noise to talk about what the new Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition actually represents.

Donnica points out that Tiffany Haddish didn't just break the glass ceiling as an actress; she is the first stand-up comedian to ever be featured in the magazine, period. 📉 She also says that the coolest part of the entire drop is the de-influenced personal history. Tiffany didn't treat this like a standard ego-trip; she used her platform to highlight her late grandmother, who was one of the first Black models to integrate media spaces in California decades ago.

Ro Nita says that after decades of editing layouts strictly for a male gaze, the publication’s ongoing pivot—which really kicked into gear with the Martha Stewart spread last year—proves they are recognizing that modern audiences demand depth, range, and genuine heritage over superficial perfection. 🏛️⚖️

TIL: Tiffany Haddish wanted to be an Olympic track star to land this cover as a kid. Decades later, she did it through comedy while honoring her family roots.

Spent the weekend helping host a community fundraiser with 600+ attendees and honestly forgot how rare it is now to see people from completely different generations, careers, and backgrounds all genuinely connecting in one room without phones dominating everything.

It made us curious: What kinds of events or activities still make your community feel genuinely connected?

On the latest Raised by Her, Donnica and Ro Nita get real about the damage caused by parents who skip the "race talk." Donnica points out that she saw firsthand how other Black kids struggled with self-love because their parents didn't have the hard conversations. 📉🚫

Ro Nita reveals that these talks are essential. She says that if you don't provide a safe space for truth, your kids will find it somewhere else and potentially close you out. She argues that even when it feels awkward, you have to push through because the ramifications of staying silent show up in "crazy ways" later. 🏛️⚖️

TIL kids will often seek answers about race and identity elsewhere if parents avoid the conversation. Where do you think most kids are learning these lessons today?

On the latest Raised by Her, Donnica and Ro Nita get into the gritty reality of the Met Gala. Ro Nita points out that while the theme was "Fashion is Art," the real story was who wasn't there. Taraji P. Henson and Jenifer Lewis reportedly passed on the event because they couldn't get behind the corporate environment Amazon has created. 📉🚫

Donnica reveals that Zendaya’s absence was the loudest "no-show" of the night. Interestingly, her stylist Law Roach did show up to dress Lauren Sanchez. She says that some fans saw the outfit as a "statement" in itself. She argues that we’ve reached a point in 2026 where a celebrity’s absence is more influential than their presence on a "best dressed" list. 🏛️⚖️

TIL: The Met Gala has a "corporate ethics" problem that gowns can't hide. Is the era of the "unfiltered" red carpet over?

On the latest Raised by Her, Ro Nita points out that back when she was in college, she got backstage passes to the J5 show in Columbus. 📉🚫

Ro Nita reveals two things that stuck with her: 1) They were "sweating a storm" in those matching uniforms—proving the work was grueling. 2) They were actually "warm and receptive" to the fans. She says that despite being "larger than life," they didn't have the "diva" attitude people expect today. She argues that we need to stop deifying stars and start respecting the human effort they put in. 🏛️⚖️

TIL: The Jackson 5 played state fairs like any other touring act, and apparently, they were the nicest people in the industry. Has anyone else met a legend before they were "untouchable"?

On the latest Raised by Her, Ro Nita drops a truth bomb about people-pleasing. She points out that she’s always had a tendency to say yes to most things, but 2026 is about the "Me" she kept seeing in meditation. 📉🚫

Ro Nita reveals that she felt bad about focusing on herself until she realized it was a message from her mother. She demonstrates that "Balance" isn't just about a scale; it’s about having the guts to stop saying yes to everyone else's needs while ignoring your own. She argues that if you've spent years caregiving or helping, the "Me" season isn't selfish—it's necessary. 🏛️⚖️

Anyone else struggling to transition from being the "fixer" to actually taking care of yourself? Is 2026 the year of the 'No'?

On the latest Raised by Her, Donnica gets into the Natasha Cloud situation. She points out that everyone is asking "why isn't she getting the job?" but reveals that professional consequences are the "nature of the beast." 📉🚫

Donnica says that this is a tale as old as time. She takes us back to the African American Museum in DC, reminding us that Muhammad Ali stood up for what he believed in and lost years of his prime. She argues that if you're going to use your voice, you have to be aware of the "different type of journey" you're embarking on. 🏛️⚖️

TIL: In 2026, "bravery" in sports still carries a price tag. Is Cloud being blackballed, or is this just the historical standard for activists?

Is Dave Chappelle’s investment in local media a genuine effort to protect independent voices—or a strategic power move?

There’s been a lot of debate around his involvement in Yellow Springs media, especially after his recent interview. Some people see it as long-term community investment, others think it’s about influence in a shifting media landscape.

At the same time, it raises a bigger question about storytelling and control. We’re seeing similar conversations with the new Michael—critics are calling it “sanitized,” while audiences are having a very different reaction.

And then there’s the WNBA—Natasha Cloud’s free agency has been unusually quiet, which brings up questions about visibility, leverage, and when speaking out actually helps vs. hurts.

On a more positive note, the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, Leon Smith, has been doing incredible work—taking students beyond the classroom and even to the state Capitol. And hearing how mentorship played a role in his journey (including a moment with Julius Erving) makes you think about the kind of impact that actually lasts.

A few questions I keep coming back to:

• When public figures invest in communities, is it ever just altruism?
• Do estate-backed biopics ever tell the full story?
• Is staying quiet sometimes the most strategic move in sports/media?
• Who was the teacher that had that kind of impact on you?

Curious how others are thinking about this.

In this mini episode, we unpack the conversation around Emma Grede and her Start with Yourself philosophy—and whether that advice actually holds up for everyone.

We get into:

Why “working harder” hasn’t always translated into results (especially for Black women in corporate)

The reality of proximity bias and why visibility still matters—even in remote work

The shift from “head down, work hard” to relationship-based career growth

What it really means to be intentional about your career, your environment, and even your partnerships

We also touch on the bigger question:

👉 Is the “lean in” mindset outdated, or does it just need to be reinterpreted?

A few questions we kept coming back to:

Is hard work still the main lever for career growth?

How do you stay visible when you’re not physically in the room?

At what point does strategy matter more than effort?

Timestamps (quick hits):

• 02:19 – Does “lean in” actually work?

• 08:00 – Remote work vs. visibility

• 10:56 – Staying seen by leadership

• 14:05 – Why “head down” work isn’t enough

• 18:14 – The parenting/time tradeoff debate

• 22:18 – Career, marriage, and strategy

Would love to hear how people are thinking about this—especially if you’re navigating corporate, entrepreneurship, or a pivot right now.

In this week’s episode of Raised By Her, we got into a few conversations that honestly stayed with us.

We started with the case involving Justin Fairfax and the way it’s being framed publicly. A lot of the coverage focuses on his reputation and past attempts to clear his name—but we felt it was important to center the victim, Dr. Serena Fairfax, and talk about how narratives can shift when powerful people are involved. We also discussed commentary from Roland Martin and the broader question of accountability vs. media framing.

From there, we shifted to something very different but still connected—Dave Chappelle’s investment in Yellow Springs, Ohio. His reported $15M support of WYSO and ties to Antioch College raised an interesting question for us: Can investing in local media actually protect it, or does money always come with influence?

We also touched on:

• Tia Mowry and the conversation around dating publicly after divorce
• Parenting insights from Sheinelle Jones’ book Through Mom’s Eyes
• What entering a new decade (turning 40) shifts in how you see life, family, and growth

Timestamps (if you want to jump around):

• 03:14 – The Fairfax case & media framing
• 10:25 – Accountability vs. “mental health” narratives
• 19:46 – Chappelle’s investment in Ohio
• 28:18 – Tia Mowry & dating backlash
• 36:51 – Parenting & Through Mom’s Eyes
• 43:46 – Reflections on turning 40

On the latest Raised by Her, Ro Nita breaks down Chappelle’s NPR interview with Michelle Martin. She points out the "Hot Take" buried in the conversation: Chappelle argues that we actually have no control in the current media landscape, and his investment in WYSO is a way to reclaim freedom, not power. 📉🚫

Ro Nita reveals that Chappelle’s goal is "beneficial long-term for the future," rather than trying to fix today's political mess. She demonstrates that the station was in desperate need, and by stepping in, he’s protecting a platform where voices aren't filtered through a corporate lens. 🏛️⚖️

Is Chappelle’s "hands-off" investment model the only way to save local journalism, or is it naive to think big money doesn't always come with strings?

There’s been a lot of conversation lately about how much a public figure’s personal choices should impact how we view their legacy.

In this episode, we get into a few situations that are all hitting that tension point right now:

• The controversy around Chilli from TLC and the backlash over alleged political donations—and whether an “accidental” explanation is enough
• Brandy’s memoir Phases and the conversations it’s sparked around the industry, accountability, and personal healing
• The long-standing narrative around Brandy and Monica—and how stories evolve over time
• Arsenio Hall’s role in shaping Black media and what it meant to center culture on a national stage
• Cardi B stepping into the textured hair care space—and what that says about ownership, influence, and opportunity

💭 The bigger questions:

• Should legacy artists be held to today’s standards?
• Can one controversy shift how an entire career is viewed?
• Is transparency helping these conversations—or making them messier?

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Aries season & birthdays
01:02 – Textured hair & the beauty industry
04:10 – Chilli & the controversy
08:50 – TLC’s tour & backlash
12:25 – Brandy’s memoir Phases
19:26 – Brandy vs Monica
24:03 – Arsenio Hall & Black media
37:04 – Megan Thee Stallion & burnout
44:35 – Space vs Earth debate
51:20 – Cardi B & hair care