Married couple Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson are no strangers to competition but when construction speed is swapped for Black history, who will come out on top? Lots of laughs, high energy, and tangible advice for first-time home buyers make for a great conversation with Dr. Christina Greer.
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Panama Jackson [00:00:00] You are now listening to theGrio’s Black podcast network, Black Culture Amplified.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:00:06] Hi, and welcome to the Blackest Questions. I’m your host, Dr. Christina Greer, politics editor for theGrio and associate professor of political science at Fordham University. In this podcast, we ask our guest five of the Blackest Questions so we can learn a little bit more about them and have some fun while we’re doing it. We’re also going to learn a lot about Black history, past and present. So here’s how this works. We have five rounds of questions about us. Black history, the entire diaspora, current events, you name it. And with each round, the questions get a little tougher and the guest has 10 seconds to get it right. If they answer the question correctly, they’ll receive one symbolic Black fist and they’ll hear this. And if they get it wrong, they’ll hear this. But we still love them anyway. After the four questions, there’s a Black bonus round at the end just for fun. Our guests for this episode are husband and wife Egypt Sherrod and Mike Jackson. Together for eight years, the parents of three girls have become fan favorites on HGTV with their hit show Married to Real Estate. Egypt has been a part of the HGTV family for more than a decade, hosting shows like Property Virgins, Flipping Virgins and now Married to Real Estate and together Egypt. Mike were competitors on Rock the Block winning season three.
Rock the Block [00:01:18] Winner of the exterior and outdoor spaces renovation is Egypt and Mike.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:01:32] But during the pandemic, the couple started documenting more of their everyday lives on social media. And with such positive feedback from followers, they embarked on a new journey, a reality show not only about real estate and home renovation, but about their personal ups and downs. Egypt and Mike, thank you all so much for joining the Blackest Questions.
Mike Jackson [00:01:51] Thank you for having us.
Egypt Sherrod [00:01:52] We’re excited.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:01:54] I’m really excited. You know, I have to admit, I don’t watch HGTV as much as my mother, who I did not tell her that I was interviewing you, too, because I know that she would have gotten in her car from Philadelphia and driven up just to sit right here next to me, to sort of sit here and fawn over you all the way.
Egypt Sherrod [00:02:11] Your mom’s from Philly? She’s all right with me. You know, that’s my hometown.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:02:14] That’s your hometown. Oh, fantastic. Now, you all are based in Atlanta. And so doing this part of the research was, I’m told Egypt, you had a successful career as a radio personality in New York before you came to Atlanta. And, Mike, you were a celebrity deejay for many years before you sort of transitioned to contract in building. Walk us through really quickly how we go from radio personality and deejay to Married to Real Estate.
Egypt Sherrod [00:02:45] Well, what’s interesting is, like many people, we were moonlighting. We had dual careers. So people would listen to me on the radio during the day, and then I would leave my day job with my good benefits and.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:02:58] Health benefits Job.
Egypt Sherrod [00:02:59] Yes, good benefits job. And I’d go over to my real estate office where I was building a real estate career for myself.
Mike Jackson [00:03:06] And vice versa. I’d be on job sites 6 a.m. till one or 2 p.m. doing construction, and then I’m in somebody’s venue or on the road deejaying and nobody knew the two were existing sometimes.
Egypt Sherrod [00:03:18] And so our paths crossed in both careers at different times. I knew him as a D.J., when I was a radio personality and I said, “Oh, he’s cute and he knows he’s cute, I got to stay away from him.” And then I was flipping houses. I needed a new construction team. He shows up, I said well I asked my mentor to send me a new construction team, not a deejay.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:03:42] Not an attractive DJ. But I got work to do.
Egypt Sherrod [00:03:46] Sure. But we both learned the flip side of each other and fell in love on that front.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:03:51] Yeah, absolutely. And now you all are creating great television that is so helpful to so many families as well as you all flip these houses. Okay. So we’ve never had two guests join us simultaneously before on the Blackest Questions. So we’re going to do things a little differently. And since you all are used to competing against one another, you’re going to each get a set of two questions. And if we’re all tied up at the end, we’ll have a fifth question sort of break the tie. So are you all ready to answer the Blackest Questions.
Egypt Sherrod [00:04:20] Interesting.
Mike Jackson [00:04:21] What?
Egypt Sherrod [00:04:22] So wait a minute. Oh, I thought we were on the same team. And I said, if I dropped the ball he’ll pick it up. You know, we’re competing against one another. Okay.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:04:31] That’s right.
Mike Jackson [00:04:33] Bring it. Let’s go.
Egypt Sherrod [00:04:34] So I’m just going to.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:04:35] A little family intrigue. Some bragging rights for 2023, That’s all. Okay. Egypt, I’m going to start with you. So first question. This establishment in New York City opened in 1913 as hurting in Siemens Music Hall. It’s located in Harlem and is a noted venue for Black performers. What is the name of this place?
Egypt Sherrod [00:05:01] The Apollo Theater?
[00:05:03] You are. Correct. So as I mentioned, the Apollo was first opened in 1913 and was a burlesque theater that had a strict whites only policy. But in 1934, it was bought by new owners who renovated it and reopened it with the intention of catering to the Black community in Harlem. The Apollo eventually became home to the nationally syndicated television show Showtime at the Apollo that ran from 1987 to 2008. Jimi Hendrix won first prize at the Apollo Amateur Hour contest in 1964, and everyone from Billie Holiday, James Brown, Diana Ross, the Jackson Five, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige have performed there. So have you all with your background in radio Egypt and Mike, with your background and deejaying, have you all ever visited the Apollo Theater?
Egypt Sherrod [00:05:47] I’ve been to the Apollo multiple times because when I first moved to New York, it was my dream to go and boo someone.
Showtime at the Apollo [00:05:54] And we got Mr. Anthony Barkley.
Egypt Sherrod [00:06:09] We grew up watching Showtime at the Apollo.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:06:10] That’s right.
Egypt Sherrod [00:06:11] That was part of the fun. And I went with my girls. And the first chance that Sandman came out, we were both. And then, of course, there’s so much amazing talent that’s coming out of the theater. Then as a radio personality, I have the opportunity to actually sit up in the mezzanine with Doug E. Fresh and then judge. And you know, they introduced us. There’s just so much history there. Walking through the front door, you’re just enamored because that theater has meant so much for so many generations. It is literally created stars, created celebrities. When do you remember Tracy Spencer?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:06:49] Mm. Oh, yeah.
Egypt Sherrod [00:06:51] Watching her for the first time in the Apollo Theater and so many, so many artists.
Mike Jackson [00:06:54] I’ve actually been blessed enough to perform on that stage twice.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:06:58] Okay.
Mike Jackson [00:06:59] Not to come out to compete, but I was on tour with the group and we performed there twice, so and it was amazing.
Egypt Sherrod [00:07:07] You weren’t a team that I boo’d, though.
Mike Jackson [00:07:08] I wasn’t it wasn’t a team. I didn’t go in there to compete. We were artists they invited to perform.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:07:15] Okay, Now, what did you perform, Mike? And who did you perform with? Because my producers told me about a a singing group used to have with your cousins.
Mike Jackson [00:07:21] Yes. One of them is my cousin. It’s two guys. One is named Money Harm, the other is named Sincere Gubano. They are the Product G&B. Three time Grammy Award winners. Well known for their hit record Maria Maria with Carlos Santana
Dr. Christina Greer [00:07:34] That’s right. Oh, wow. So, you know, I. I think the first thing that surprised me about going to the Apollo was it was so much smaller than I thought it would be just because on television, you know, and you all know this being on television. What what things theme are not always the reality once you walk in. So When I walked in those important doors, Egypt, just as you said, like you feel the weight of history but then like is the this is a tiny stage.
Egypt Sherrod [00:08:01] And well, you really realize it when you’re standing in line at the women’s room. You know, it doesn’t matter where you are ever, the line is always longer at the ladies room. But when you’re at the Apollo Theater, you might be there for the whole show.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:08:13] That’s right. Okay. Now we’re going to take a quick break and we’ll be right back with more of the Blackest Questions.
[00:08:22] TheGrio Black Podcast Network is here, and it’s everything you’ve been waiting for. News, talk, entertainment, sports and today’s issues all from the Black perspective. Ready for real talk and Black culture amplified. Be inspired. Listen to new and established voices now on theGrio Black Podcast Network. Listen today on theGrio mobile app and tune in everywhere great podcast or heard.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:08:53] We are back. So let’s pick up where we left off. Okay, So, Mike, you ready now? Egypt set, she set a bar now.
Mike Jackson [00:09:01] You gave her an easy question, but come on with it.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:04] Mike, where are you from?
Mike Jackson [00:09:06] I’m from Hempstead, Long Island, New York City.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:08] Okay. All right, Come on. We got to represent for Philly. Egypt. Okay, so, Mike, it’s your turn. Hip hop, music and culture is said to have started in the Bronx, and it includes four elements. One of them is deejay. What are the other three elements?
Mike Jackson [00:09:26] Other three said one of them is what?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:29] One of them is deejaying.
Mike Jackson [00:09:32] One of them is Deejaying.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:32] What are the other three elements of Hip-Hop music and culture that started in the Bronx?
Mike Jackson [00:09:38] One is dancing, break dancing. Right. One is M.Cing. Battles. And the fourth deejaying, break dancing. I got 10 seconds. And I feel so bad. Ya’ll better not judge for this. Oh, graffiti.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:09:59] There you go. All right, so the roots of hip hop can be traced back to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Let’s not forget. And in 1973, DJ Kool Herc threw a back school party in the Bronx, which is considered the birth of hip hop. Kool Herc was known for spinning breakbeats on two turntables, creating an endless loop of music and the street where his back to school party happened was renamed to Hip Hop Boulevard in 2017. So the four elements for our listeners again are DJ, rapping or emceeing, graffiti and breakdancing or B-Boy. So Mike, you were once a DJ. My producer tell me you started deejaying at 11. How did one get interested in DJing at the age of 11 in Hempstead, Long Island?
Egypt Sherrod [00:10:41] Right.
Mike Jackson [00:10:42] So actually started the singing group that transitioned into music. And just in general, I started deejaying because one of my neighbors right across the hall from me had this amazing DJ set and he opened up his doors one day and I said, What is all the lights? What is the sound coming out of there? You got to show me that. And from there it was over. I used to DJ all of my mother’s gatherings I used to deejay with two tape decks. I think I just dated myself. Two tape decks. I would press play, rewind, press play on the other one. But the old soul in me just loved all types of music. And I said, I want to do this. You know, my mother brought me some turntables. My grandfather, may he rest in peace, made me my first DJ coffin. And you can never give me a go outside because I would deejay every day, every hour of the day. So as I came home from school, I was deejaying and it got me around the world.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:11:33] Now, when you all are home together, who’s in charge of the music?
Egypt Sherrod [00:11:37] It’s always him. And honestly, because I was in radio for over 20 years, I actually prefer silence. I like quiet. However, I’m married to someone who is also a DJ, so there’s always music.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:11:54] And Mike, when you’re deejaying now, do you prefer old school turntables or are you more into like the new computer programs where you can kind of create sounds just from your laptop?
Mike Jackson [00:12:05] Oh, no, I would love two turntables, but unfortunately they stop making the 1200s. So this A 80s is what we deal with everyone. And it’s easier to work with, it’s lighter to carry whenever you’re doing an event. So it’s the digital.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:12:19] Okay, The digital. All right. Egypt, I’m coming back to you and I’m loving this Sherrod/Jackson competition over here.
Egypt Sherrod [00:12:27] Who’s going to lose the last one? I put my money on beatboxing being one of the elements. I’m glad that wasn’t my question, but I’m like, okay, come on, Come on. Okay.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:12:36] So second question for Egypt. This Black man was the first Black member of the National Association of Realtors and has spent nearly 60 years in the real estate mortgage industry. He’s currently the CEO of Legacy Home Loans in Las Vegas, which focuses on providing home loans to the Black community. Who is he?
Egypt Sherrod [00:12:56] I know it and I can’t. I’m going to have to redeem myself on this one.
Mike Jackson [00:13:02] You got 10 seconds. You better get it right.
Egypt Sherrod [00:13:03] Hold on. I know it.
Mike Jackson [00:13:05] Mm hmm.
Egypt Sherrod [00:13:06] And it’s on the tip of my tongue. Can I phone a friend?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:13:13] No. You know, it’s funny. We’ve thought about that idea on this show. We haven’t done it just yet. Next time we do, I have to bring you guys back so you can phone a friend. Mike is looking at you like I am not throwing you a lifeline, not doing it. So the answer is Ben Slaten. Then Slayton became the first Black realtor in America in 1964 after he found someone to sponsor him at the cost of $5,000, which allowed him to join the Board of Realtors. He was adopted by a Jewish family who taught him the real estate mortgage business, and that family also worked to get him the $5,000 scholarship. Slayton was the first Black man accepted as a franchise broker owner of Century 21.
Egypt Sherrod [00:13:56] Okay. And my uncle owned Century 21 offices in Philadelphia. I am not going to be able to live this one down, but I only have only one request. Make his question as hard as mine, please.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:14:12] I will. But really quickly, how did how did you get into real estate, Egypt? So you you have a family members who are in real estate. But how did you sort of transition I know you were moonlighting, but.
Egypt Sherrod [00:14:24] It was ingrained in me from childhood that really was the foundation of wealth. I grew up uncles and with a father who, you know, they were all in real estate. So on Thanksgiving, it wasn’t pass the turkey, it was, Hey, what about that house on Brown Street, by the way, passed Turkey. You know, so I ran very far away from what was then deemed the family business into real estate and broadcasting, because I wanted to do anything but what everyone was talking about. However, when we know something and it’s just embedded in our core, we understand its worth. So when I started making some money, some real money, I wanted to know what to do with it. Well, immediately I thought real estate and I started flipping houses. That’s where I met this one. And I said, Wow, I really love just this business more than I thought I would. Maybe if I get my here we go. If I get my real estate license, I can take the middleman out and keep the commission on all the properties I’m selling. Well, the joke was on me because I got bit by the real estate bug and I fell in love with the business. What I really loved about it was I was able to help people leave legacy, not debt. I was able to please in many cases, become the very first. You know, they were the very first to experience home ownership and show folks that it’s really just about getting off the fence, putting one foot in front of the other. And you, too, can own a piece of the earth. And that’s the one thing they are not making any more of.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:15:49] Right.
Egypt Sherrod [00:15:50] More than 20 years later, I still really love what I do for a living. I love this business. It’s fulfilling and every day looks, looks different. And my uncles who are retired from real estate now laugh at me.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:16:04] This this question goes for both of you, because in so many ways, you all are mentors and leaders for a lot of people who watch your shows, especially Black people who are doing the very thing Egypt that you just said, trying to decide whether or not they want to take that leap, because some people, especially who don’t come from a legacy of homeownership, this is a huge endeavor that you all are demystifying for them. So for both of you, what are some things people should do to make home ownership a reality?
Egypt Sherrod [00:16:32] Well, number one is understand that credit really can work for you. You want to make sure that you’re managing your credit smartly. You’re paying your bills, not just paying them, not just paying them all. You got to pay them on time, because that is really where you start building your credit, showing that you are responsible. So that’s number one. Understand the true value of it. Don’t stay away from it. Definitely open cards. Just manage them responsibly. Save your money. You know what? All this is what I did when all my girlfriends were out in their twenties buying pocketbooks and high heeled shoes and I was buying property because now that property can pay for all of the pocketbooks and dues and you can do it, too. Guys, I think what happens is when we grow up seeing failure, you know, and seeing those who can’t stay in their homes or who are too afraid to put their money behind real estate, because honestly, you know, some of the generations that came before us were just making ends meet. They would just want to pay the rent. They didn’t even have dreams of owning homes because it was just about paying the rent and keeping a roof over their heads.
[00:17:35] But now every generation is doing just a little bit better. So we’re we’re in a position to to build our children up, to actually inherit not just want to purchase, to inherit a real estate legacy, but you start with that first property and you can do it. It doesn’t matter what type of job you had, how much you’re earning, as long as you’re managing your credit and you’re saving more than you spend so that you can really build up. You can purchase a house with as little as 3% down. And many people don’t know that, you know, you get together with a family member who’s also managed their credit well, even if you didn’t qualify, let’s say, for $150,000 house, well, together you both can qualify and then you start from there and you take the first one and you roll that into the second one so everyone can do this. Get off the fence, Don’t be afraid. And let’s make it a part of our daily language. Even with our children, like with our daughter, Kendall, She’s ten. She owns her first investment. And that’s because she understood what a mortgage was. We made these things part of the conversation, to quote unquote, demystify. The second kids know what an Instagram or Tik Tok is, they should be able to know what compounding interest is. Right?
Dr. Christina Greer [00:18:48] Mm hmm. Mm hmm. Right.
Mike Jackson [00:18:51] They also need to know that there are a lot of programs and resources that you can tap into in order to be able to afford a house, especially for first time homebuyers. Do the research and do your homework because it’s available. Okay. Differentiates depending on what state you in. So you just got to do the research.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:19:10] Okay. Thank you all so much. We’re going to have a quick break and we’ll be right back with Egypt and Mike.
Speaker 4 [00:19:18] Witty, honest, entertaining, introducing Dear Culture with Panama Jackson on theGrio Black Podcast Network. Listen today on theGrio mobile app for all the Black culture debates you don’t want to miss. Also available wherever great podcasts are heard.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:19:36] Okay, we’re back. Mike, are you ready?
Mike Jackson [00:19:39] I’m ready. Bring it.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:19:40] Okay, Second question. And Egypt, I promise it will be as difficult as yours.
Egypt Sherrod [00:19:46] Make his hard.
Mike Jackson [00:19:47] You gave her 15 seconds. I’m going do 15 seconds.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:19:49] Okay, We’ll do it. We’ll do it. You know, it’s equity here. It’s equity.
Mike Jackson [00:19:53] Keep it as it is.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:19:54] Okay, So, Mike, here we go. This Black family based in Atlanta owns one of the largest and most successful construction and real estate development companies in the country. Some of their work includes the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in Washington, DC and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Who are they?
Mike Jackson [00:20:14] Oh, my God. I was literally just talking about this the other day.
Egypt Sherrod [00:20:17] You got this answer. You know.
Mike Jackson [00:20:22] Geez.
Egypt Sherrod [00:20:24] Projects at the airport.
Mike Jackson [00:20:25] Mm hmm. Tons of them.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:20:31] Okay. I think we’re up. Mike? Egypt. Did you want to jump in?
Egypt Sherrod [00:20:40] Let him know. Break it down.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:20:41] It’s the Russell family of H.J. Russell and Company.
Egypt Sherrod [00:20:47] Remember. (In audible).
Mike Jackson [00:20:47] Yes.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:20:48] The company was founded by Herman J. Russell, who took over his father’s plastering company in 1957. Herman passed away in 2014, and the company is now run by his son Michael. And as I mentioned, H.J. Russell and Company is responsible for some of the biggest projects in Atlanta, including a new hospital that’s in the works right now. And the company is also dedicated to philanthropy, giving back millions each year and has a program that connects Black entrepreneurs to resources. So Egypt and Mike, Mike, it seems as though you are well aware of who the Russell family is and what they’ve done in Atlanta.
Egypt Sherrod [00:21:22] We’re going to need a do over.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:21:25] You all are welcome back any time. So, Mike, how did you get into construction and what do you see, especially as so many younger Black men and women actually are more interested in getting into the construction business, what would you tell them if you know someone came to you and said, I want to get started, but I just I don’t know how to to get an entree, a foot in the door?
Mike Jackson [00:21:49] Right. Well, I started in the business at an extremely young age. You know, I got my feet wet with my grandfather and my uncle because they had their own construction business and they would always take me on the site. They would show me the ins and outs of it all. So I was working early. And then when I was actually able to legally be on these sites and do things the way they were supposed to do, I started with the local 28 trade here in New York City, and that’s metal workers in HVAC. And then that took on for about eight years. And then we were in Atlanta and I started my own company called Jackson Draper Renovations, where I have a partner. Uncle Mark was also on the show.
Egypt Sherrod [00:22:23] My uncle.
Mike Jackson [00:22:24] Yeah, and several teams too, where we just go at it and obviously you see that on the show. Now as far as any young man or a young lady trying to break into the business, there are several routes to it. One, you cannot legally be on a job site unless you’re 18 and older. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn the trade. You know, they have a lot of trade schools that will teach you how to do this and get you in front of the right people. There’s a lot of programs as well. You just got to do the research. They’ll teach you, apprenticeships and so on to where once you get out of these trade schools or apprenticeships or find yourself a mentor, then they set you up. So when the time is right, you can actually be in the field and choose where you want to get into which trade, which shop, what actually works for you.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:23:13] Okay. Well, hopefully for our listeners out there who are interested, you all can you know, I think the key that both of you all are saying is if you want to do it, you have to spend a little bit of time researching where to get started because the resources are there and the opportunities are are abundant. Okay. Let’s have a quick break and then we’re going to come back for our tiebreaker question between Egypt and Mike. Okay, we’re back. It’s time for a tie breaker. This is for 2023. The Blackest Questions bragging rights in the Sherrod-Jackson household. Okay, so the tiebreaker question number five, it’s the first person to shout out the right answer gets the point. This country is known as the land bridge between Africa and Asia and is bordered by the Mediterranean and red seas. What country is it?
Egypt Sherrod [00:24:16] Egypt.
Mike Jackson [00:24:16] Egypt.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:24:18] Egypt got it first.
Egypt Sherrod [00:24:20] I got it first.
Mike Jackson [00:24:20] You did not.
Egypt Sherrod [00:24:21] Wait, wait, wait. But see, that’s a trick question. You said it’s the land bridge between Africa and Asia. But Africa is a continent and Egypt is in Africa.
Mike Jackson [00:24:30] Correct.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:24:31] Yes. And it’s bordered by the Mediterranean Red seas, but it’s known as the land bridge. It’s the it’s the country that sort of the bridge between the two continents.
Egypt Sherrod [00:24:41] You taught us something we did not know today.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:24:43] So Egypt is a transcontinental country that stretches from the northeast corner of Africa to the southwest corner of Asia. And Egypt has 27 different governorates and is largely covered by desert with the Nile River running south to north. And so this is why it’s known as this bridge between the two continents.
Egypt Sherrod [00:25:02] You taught us something we didn’t know. You know, Egypt, we were supposed to visit for obvious reasons. We were supposed to visit Egypt three times. And in the last time, unrest broke out. Right. But it’s back on our travel bucket list. We actually got over to Africa twice. We did Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Then we went to Morocco, which was quite the experience. That’s where I found out I was pregnant with Harper in Morocco.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:25:29] Oh, wow.
Egypt Sherrod [00:25:30] We were hiking in the Atlas Mountains and I got a little sick. I thought it was the air pressure. So we came down and we wound up going to because they don’t have pharmacies like we have in the US, so they have apothecaries and healers and all that. So we went, his name was Jaleel the Healer. Do you remember?
Mike Jackson [00:25:49] Jaleel the Healer, Yep.
Egypt Sherrod [00:25:50] He took one look at me and he said he couldn’t give me any tea or anything to help my stomach because I was pregnant. And I said, No, sir, I think I have gas.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:25:58] I said, No, ma’am, I think that you’re pregnant.
Egypt Sherrod [00:26:02] You know, what’s interesting is I had a hysterectomy planned for that same year. So I’m really like, You were so far off base, sir. But he was so right. I was already three months pregnant with.
Mike Jackson [00:26:14] Went there with no belly. Came back with half a belly.
Egypt Sherrod [00:26:17] But just, you know, when we go visit Egypt, we will not be coming back with babies. But that’s very interesting when you ask the question, I was thinking, well, it certainly wasn’t some place in Africa. It’s a land bridge between so that you have expanded our knowledge of Egypt now. Thank you for that.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:26:37] And during the month of January, theGrio is amplifying Africa, as we call it, with unique content and conversations. So we couldn’t miss that opportunity to highlight your namesake and also hopefully let our listeners know a little bit more about Egypt, which is, as we all know, on the continent of Africa. But it does serve as this bridge between two continents. Okay. So before we get to Black Lightning, let’s just take a quick break. And we’re back. And it’s time for Black, my favorite part of the show, the Black Lightning Round. And so before I get you all out of here, the Black Lightning Round is for each of you. And this is just there’s no right or wrong answer. I just want the first thing that pops in your mind, you just let us know. Okay. So some questions are for both of you, and some questions are just for each of you. So for both of you, if you had to choose, are you building a home from scratch? Are you renovating something older? Egypt?
Egypt Sherrod [00:27:34] Renovating something older.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:27:35] Mike.
Mike Jackson [00:27:36] Building something from scratch.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:27:39] This question is for both of you. Who has better food? New York or Atlanta?
Egypt Sherrod [00:27:43] Ooh, I’m going to lose my New York card on this one. I got to say Atlanta.
Mike Jackson [00:27:50] Atlanta, yeah.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:27:51] Okay. The Black is hot with this one.
Egypt Sherrod [00:27:53] He can never go back to Hempstead, Long Island. He’s not welcome there after saying it.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:27:59] Egypt, I know you’re newly into gardening. What’s your favorite plant to harvest?
Egypt Sherrod [00:28:03] Woo! Interesting. You know, I love cucumbers to me. Yeah. I can’t choose just one. That’s an even harder question then everything we’ve done now.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:28:14] Well, I’m going to tell you my new thing is mint. And so I’ve been doing some research, and mint is sort of from our ancestors, and it’s sort of it’s a spiritual, magical plant that I had no idea had such a connection to, you know, centuries of Black people in this country specifically. So Mint is my new passion, just so you know. Okay, Mike, this one’s for you. There’s talk of a Martin TV show reboot. Good idea or bad idea?
Mike Jackson [00:28:44] Bad idea.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:28:45] Okay.
Mike Jackson [00:28:46] Martin is a classic. Don’t touch it.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:28:47] Don’t touch it. I’m. I’m with you, Mike.
Egypt Sherrod [00:28:50] What if they keep all the same cast members, though?
Mike Jackson [00:28:52] They can’t.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:28:53] They can’t because Tommy Tommy’s passed away.
Mike Jackson [00:28:56] Leave it alone.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:28:57] Okay, this is for both of you. When the kids want something, who are they coming to first? Mom or dad?
Egypt Sherrod [00:29:03] They come in. Mom. When Mom says no, they go to dad. Dad says yes. Mom gets upset at Dad, Dad says, I’m sorry, but the kids still get their way.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:29:11] That’s right. Mike, what do you say? You agree? Smart man. Smart man. Okay, Egypt, you can only watch one reality show for the next five years. What are you picking up?
Egypt Sherrod [00:29:24] My gosh, It’s got to be Ready to Love on OWN. I love that show so much.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:29:29] And Mike, I know you love Caribbean food. What’s your go to order?
Mike Jackson [00:29:34] Oh, my. Go to order. Okay. Curried chicken with mixed vegetables, rice and peas and plantains.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:29:45] Okay, listen, the next time you all come to New York, you got to swing by my house. I’ll make you all some oxtail.
Mike Jackson [00:29:51] Oh.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:29:51] My dad gets fresh oxtails from the Amish in Delaware.
Egypt Sherrod [00:29:56] You know we just lost our New York card on your show.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:29:59] Well, you can sneak in town. I won’t tell anybody. Okay. And before we go, you all just tell us a little bit more about what viewers can expect to see on season two, married to Real Estate.
Egypt Sherrod [00:30:10] Well, number one, we really just want to express so much gratitude. This was for us. It was, “Hey, Mike, let’s try a show together. Let’s have fun. Let’s show folks what we do.” We had no idea it would turn into such a huge hit with over 19 million viewers. And we’re just grateful from our heart, the Jackson family to yours, we’re really just grateful for all the support. But this season, you’ll see our business grow, our kids grow. Mommy trying to deal with the fact that the baby just will not get potty trained and just more members of our family and our business as we expand our empire.
Mike Jackson [00:30:48] You’ll get to see a lot more of the same, meaning, transparency, being relatable. You’ll get to see Serene grow, the dog. You’ll get to see Harper attend school for the first time. And that’s a tearjerker in itself. For myself, you get to see growth. You know, there’s a lot of creativity that’s going to happen. We stepped it out from the first season and I think it’s going to be great.
Egypt Sherrod [00:31:11] And bigger and better. We really tried to outdo ourselves, especially after the pressure when it Rock the Block.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:31:17] That’s right.
Egypt Sherrod [00:31:18] When we go back to Atlanta we’re going to have to rock everyone out. So just hopefully mind blowing designs or renovations for you.
Dr. Christina Greer [00:31:26] Well, Egypt and Mike, I just want to thank you all so much for joining us here in the Blackest Questions. We got to come back so we can have another tiebreaker so we can make sure, you know, we have a true winner in the Sherrod-Jackson household. But I want to make sure all of our viewers and listeners check out Married to Real Estate season two, where Egypt and Mike have even more for us. And I really want to thank you all for just educating so much of the public about home ownership. And really, as I said before, demystifying a lot of the process and letting us have some fun and some joy in the process. I want to thank you all listeners for listening to the Blackest Questions. The show is produced by Sasha Armstrong and Geoffrey Trudeau and Regina Griffin is the director of the Podcast Network. If you like what you heard, subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And please download theGrio app to listen and watch many more great shows. Thanks for listening.
