Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams has surpassed her role as just another glamorous character on Bravo’s hit series. In the wake of the George Floyd murder, the 39-year-old has now added the title of activist to her growing resume, with no signs of slowing down anytime soon as revealed in her recent New York Times interview.
“When I saw that video of George Floyd being murdered, I knew that I had to change the way I was moving. That meant now I have to sacrifice myself, my finance, my brand, my everything, and put it all on the line for change,” She said. “I’m in the house trying to save my life and not put myself at risk to get this killer virus. And then here I am going out of my house again, now, to fight for my life and fight for African-Americans not to be killed in the street.”
In the weeks following Floyd’s death, Williams said that it felt “almost like I was headed into a depression,” which she used to fuel her activism.
“I just was in a very low place. But I decided to channel that energy and become even more active. I said, ‘I need to start going to town hall meetings. I need to start going to public forums. I need to get out there and do things and talk to other people who are also about change.’”
Just three days before the sit down with NYT, Williams was arrested along with 87 other protesters outside the home of Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, while demanding that he bring criminal charges against the police officers who murdered 26-year-old Breonna Taylor after they barged into her home on a no-knock warrant. Williams was ultimately charged with criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and intimidating a participant in a legal process, which was later dropped.
“I think it’s really important,” Williams said, “for people to see themselves in the movement and know that you have a place. You’ve played a part, you have a place, and you can also be a catalyst for change.”
