Before Nnkea Ihim made her debut on one of America’s largest television platforms, she was an attorney and award-winning businesswoman. The daughter of native Nigerian parents, Ihim grew up in the Midwest before embarking on her law career in Los Angeles. But her couple of forevers union to beaux Dr. Ikenna Ihim would go on to land her in Potomac, Maryland, the impetus to her TV debut on “The Real Housewives of Potomac.”
As the newest member of the popular Bravo TV network series, Ihim joins the group of cherry blossom beauties in their eighth season. Beyond the drama, what fans miss out on, though, is her love of travel, two business ventures, and passion for her culture. Despite her hot topic introduction to the world, Ihim firmly stands on her love of Nigeria and Nigerian culture. She’s also the founder of a dating app that helps connect African daters worldwide and anticipating the launch of her sparkling wine brand, BIDO.
With multiple businesses, a marriage, aspirations of motherhood, and reality TV stardom to juggle, Ihim has plenty to keep her busy. Travel Noire spoke with Ihim to learn more about the attorney-turned-Bravolebrity ahead of part 1 of RHOP’s season 8 reunion.
Travel Noire: As one of Potomac’s newest residents, how are you adjusting to your new life in Maryland?
NI: Being in Maryland is different. I am very much an LA girl–I like vibes [and] enjoyment. I don’t take myself too seriously [and am] very chill and laid back so that was a perfect setting for me.
Moving to the DMV and being in Potomac–suburbia–, I was like, “Ok, what am I going to do here?”
Surprisingly, I’ve really enjoyed it. I love that I have great, successful neighbors. There are a handful of minorities [and] representation does matter. When we get to the space where we do have children, they can see affluent minorities in this Potomac community.
It’s been a journey making friends because I want to make sure that I am interacting with appropriate people. I tend to, at this stage of my life, like pre-vetted people, because I’m very trusting. I also give everyone the benefit of the doubt so I tend to meet friends through other friends, which has been helpful.
TN: We recently saw you living your best life in St. Lucia on Instagram. What are some of your favorite destinations or next-up on the list?
NI: I haven’t been to Asia. I would like to go to Bali, Thailand, or Singapore. I really like Dubai. It gives ritzy; all the cars are luxurious; the restaurants are fancy and the aesthetics are eye-catching.
St. Lucia was nice. I need to go back again because I didn’t get a chance to enjoy the environment. Greece [is also] stunning but there are so many little islands in Greece. I need to backpack through Greece and check out all those spots.
Ultimately, though, Nigeria is one of my favorite places to go all the time. I could go there a million times a year. It’s one of my favorite locations.
TN: What are some of your favorite things to do when you go to Nigeria? What cities are you typically popping into and what places are you visiting?
NI: I get excited just reminiscing. [We] always go to the village [in] the East. I go to see cousins [and] relatives. That’s primarily Igbo territory, where you’re getting people speaking Igbo language–the hustle [and] bustle village life.
I’ll go to Abuja sometimes, but it’s a little bit slower pace, and I have so much energy. Lagos is hands down my spot.
It’s such a lively upbeat place. [There are] so many delicious restaurants. Slice is one of my favorites. RSVP is always good for food, cocktails, and people-watching. Mako is a new place I just discovered. You’ve got to get the pizza if you go there and the cocktails are delicious. Because it’s a private club, everyone there is pre-vetted.
Go to Zaza at night for some live entertainment, dancing, vibes, and music. If you want to shop, go to Polo Lounge to get all your designers. If you’re looking for local stuff, you can stop by Wanni Fuga.
You have to have a beach day, [starting with a boat ride] at the Lagos Boat Club. You ride in your little boat for 15 minutes, you get off on an island, you have your mansion, the personal chef… you have everything.
I love Lagos and I’m happy to share [it] with people. I’m happy to help create the vibe because Nigeria means so much to me.
TN: For the bubbly babes, what’s the status of your new sparkling wine endeavor, BIDO?
NI: BIDO means to start or begin in our native language of Igbo. It resonated with me because a lot of times when you’re popping bottles, you’re celebrating something. We’re in production right now and should be launching relatively soon. I’m getting ready to open the website for pre-orders. We are one step closer to being in your liquor cabinet.
I love the product so it only makes sense that I would create my own and perfect it. Part of my favorite aspects of trips is the yacht. Whether it’s my husband or my girlfriends, I love being on a yacht. I like being in an enclosed space where we can vibe, play games, and interact with each other. And one thing you always have on a yacht is your glass of bubbly. Taking in the environment and looking at the ocean–it’s just part of the experience. It’s part of luxury. So, it made sense for me.
TN: You also have a dating app, Hello Africa, that’s been around since 2019? What inspired you to create an app focused on the African community?
NI: I created Hello Africa as a tool for Africans and diaspora to connect and find each other. We started with events and bringing the community together with mixers [before it] became an app.
Growing up in the Midwest, I grew up in a small town. It was hard to find other Africans. I wanted to know where we are…where are the events? That became even more important when I moved from Wisconsin to L.A.
I Googled ‘African dating app’ and I found nothing. So, I’m like, “Well, this is for me.”
The social networking app connects Africans and the diaspora for dating, employment networking, or social connections. I’m really proud of it and it’s available now in the Apple Store or Google Play for Android users.
We have different features that allow you to narrow down what you want because culture sometimes is a big aspect. So, [if] you want someone who’s Nigerian, [or] you want an Igbo person as well, let’s field that out for you. Or, if you want a Muslim person or a Christian person. [We are] getting to the nitty gritty so people can find their match.
The quality of people on the app [is also important]. We’re making sure to certify some users and verify that they are who they say they are. That way, you feel comfortable and safe when you’re on the app.
It’s not just for Africans; it’s for people who are even interested in the African community. It’s a place where Africans can gather but we’re welcome to everybody.
TN: As you look ahead to the future, what are you most excited about?
NI: I’m excited about sharing my baby journey and conceiving. At this point, it’s probably going to be through assisted medicine and IVF.
I never realized how much people can relate and I never realized how emotionally draining, physically draining this whole process is. You’re throwing hormones in your body for weeks [or] months, and it’s such a stressful period. It weighs a lot on your mental health.
I never realized what people go through to conceive. Sometimes we see people with their children [and] have no clue what their journey was to have that child. People don’t talk about it; Black people don’t talk about it; Africans don’t really talk about it.
The amount of DMs I received… people are like, “Thank you for speaking up because it’s seen as a shameful thing.”
So many people are going through this, but they’re dealing with it alone. I love my husband and he’s been a great support, but he will never internally know what I’ve gone through. It’s really important for others who’ve experienced it to rally around each other; to speak up about what we’ve been through and ways that we’ve coped.
I never knew how important it was until I saw the feedback I received from people. I was embarrassed when I brought this on TV but I’m glad that I did. I’m glad that I’ve given some support to people. I’m happy that someone can look at my journey and find the motivation to do what they need to do to get their desired result of a child.
This article has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.