This episode is sponsored by smartwater®

During the Essence Black Women in Hollywood event, I spoke with the indomitable Bozoma Saint John live. Bozoma grew up between Ghana, Kenya, Washington DC, and Colorado Springs, a childhood of constant reinvention that taught her to read rooms fast and never apologize for taking up space. At 14, she wasn't crying because she didn't feel beautiful. She was crying because her classmates didn't recognize her beauty. That clarity and fierce, unshakable self-knowing have followed her everywhere. Her confidence carried her into boardrooms where she was the only Black woman, onto the cover of the New York Times with her cornrows, and through the grief of losing her husband, Peter. Later, it carried her into the unexpected joy of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which led directly to On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. And, eventually, into the decision to sell her corporate stock from every company she'd ever worked for to self-fund her brand, Eve by Boz — on her own terms, by her own rules.

Bozoma has no peers. And she will tell you that herself, in this special episode of Naked Beauty. 

Tune in as we discuss:

(2:34) Growing Up Across Ghana, Kenya, DC & Colorado

(5:43) Why She Never Doubted She Was Beautiful — Even at 14

(10:05) Immigrant Parents, Pre-Med Dreams & Landing at Spike Lee's Ad Agency By Accident

(13:36) The Emotional Cost of Being the First and Only Black Woman in Every C-Suite

(16:24) Why Personal Brand Building Means Saying "I" Out Loud

(21:40) The Hollywood Pivot: What Made RHOBH a Yes

(23:57) Moving to LA Four Months After Her Husband's Death

(29:01) What Season 14 of RHOBH Taught Her Going Into Season 15

(30:30) Showing Fibroid Surgery & Her Fertility Journey On Camera

(33:46) Her Go-To Glam Routine & The African Sapo Net Gospel

(37:18) Self-Funding Eve by Boz With Her Own Corporate Stock

(40:24) What Raising Her Daughter Lil Has Taught Her That The Boardroom Never Could

(43:20) Engagement With Keeley Watson: Love After Loss & True Partnership

(46:52) How To Know When It's Time To Walk Away

(51:41) Bozoma's Advice For Anyone Who Feels Stuck

Today’s episode was made possible by smartwater 

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Follow Bozoma @bozomastjohn

Products Mentioned:

Lancôme Foundation

MAC Blush

Oil of Olay Moisturizer

Eucerin Lotion & Heavy Cream

African Sapo Net (exfoliating sponge)

Eve by Boz Haircare

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