In a recent incident in an Ohio neighborhood, a neighbor confronted real estate developer Mike Jenkins, questioning whether he genuinely lived in his own home.
This exchange went viral after Jenkins’ security camera caught the whole thing, igniting a broader conversation about racial profiling. The situation unfolded when a woman, later recognized as Michelle Bishop, was out jogging with her two young kids. Feeling uneasy as a car crept up on them, she darted toward the nearest house, which turned out to be Jenkins’ home. When Jenkins arrived and introduced himself as the homeowner, Bishop responded, “I don’t believe that,” before leaving with her children.
Real Estate Developer Shares Footage Of Him Being Profiled By A Neighbor At The Home He Built In An Affluent Neighborhood
“I don’t believe you live here” pic.twitter.com/RgqRrYlV54
— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) January 19, 2025
After the video of the encounter went viral, Bishop faced intense backlash online, with many accusing her of racial profiling. In response, she released a statement denying any racist motives, insisting her only concern was for her children’s safety. Bishop emphasized that she couldn’t see Jenkins’ race in the dim light and mentioned that she has reached out to her neighbors to express her apologies for the incident.
Jenkins took to Instagram to share his perspective on the situation, emphasizing how composed he remained during the encounter. He expressed pride in handling the moment with grace, noting that it would’ve been easy to lose his cool but instead chose to stay calm.
This incident has shed light on the challenges of living in a predominantly white neighborhood, underscoring the need for greater community awareness and understanding. It serves as a reminder that fostering empathy and open dialogue can help prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
