Anicia is an entrepreneur and works as a personal chef and nanny for the ultra-wealthy in New York City. Having met on a photoshoot, Anicia and I bonded over our shared experiences walking into these homes as educated women of color. She’s a first generation Nigerian American and discusses the complexities of power and personhood and some shocking stories from behind the scenes of this industry. In our conversation, the problems surrounding America’s fascination with celebrity and wealth collide with the desire for mobility and representation. 

“You go into survival mode and you’re like: ‘Okay, how do I just get through the next hour?’ You start to think about: 'Am I gonna need this money for the next four to six weeks?’ I think the world needs to know that it is far from privilege to be able to work with the privileged.” –Anicia


Check out resources like the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, NYC’s Statement of Employee Rights for Household Employees, and these support groups for restaurant workers who have experienced abuse. 



Creator & Host: Maria Fernanda Diez 

Executive Producers: Gisselle Bances, Anna Stumpf, Nikki Ettore 

Producer: Pablo Cabrera, Arlene Santana, Dylan Heuer 

Associate Producer: Claudia Marticorena

Original Theme Music: Tony Bruno

Anicia is an entrepreneur and works as a personal chef and nanny for the ultra-wealthy in New York City. Having met on a photoshoot, Anicia and I bonded over our shared experiences walking into these homes as educated women of color. She’s a first generation Nigerian American and discusses the complexities of power and personhood and some shocking stories from behind the scenes of this industry. In our conversation, the problems surrounding America’s fascination with celebrity and wealth collide with the desire for mobility and representation. 
“You go into survival mode and you’re like: ‘Okay, how do I just get through the next hour?’ You start to think about: 'Am I gonna need this money for the next four to six weeks?’ I think the world needs to know that it is far from privilege to be able to work with the privileged.” –Anicia
 Check out resources like the <a href="https://www.domesticworkers.org/programs-and-campaigns/developing-policy-solutions/bill-of-rights/">Domestic Workers Bill of Rights</a>, <a href="https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dca/downloads/pdf/businesses/Domestic-Household-Employee-Rights.pdf">NYC’s Statement of Employee Rights for Household Employees</a>, and these <a href="https://www.eater.com/23204078/restaurant-industry-mental-health-resources-legal-financial-help">support groups</a> for restaurant workers who have experienced abuse. 
 
Creator &amp; Host: Maria Fernanda Diez 
Executive Producers: Gisselle Bances, Anna Stumpf, Nikki Ettore 
Producer: Pablo Cabrera, Arlene Santana, Dylan Heuer 
Associate Producer: Claudia Marticorena
Original Theme Music: Tony Bruno

This is my love letter to the working class people and immigrants who shaped me. Too often we focus on stories about people who have achieved positions of influence, wealth, and power. On this podcast, we won’t be doing that. Many of our guests have never been interviewed before. I want to shed light on the experiences of folks who feel invisible. What do everyday people have to say about their lives, their country, their hopes and dreams, and what they believe would make the world a better place? 

I’m your host, Maria Fernenda Diez and I’m a first gen Mexican-American. Growing up, my family moved to different regions of the US - from the East Coast to the Midwest to the South - and we were on food stamps when I was young before we became middle class. I ended up getting an almost full ride to the Ivy League but never left my roots behind. I call myself an in-betweener because I’m part of many communities, but don’t fully fit into one single community. Although this can be lonely at times, it’s a vulnerability that can help me connect with others, have honest conversations, and build genuine connections.

This is my love letter to the working class people and immigrants who shaped me. Too often we focus on stories about people who have achieved positions of influence, wealth, and power. On this podcast, we won’t be doing that. Many of our guests have never been interviewed before. I want to shed light on the experiences of folks who feel invisible. What do everyday people have to say about their lives, their country, their hopes and dreams, and what they believe would make the world a better place? 
I’m your host, Maria Fernenda Diez and I’m a first gen Mexican-American. Growing up, my family moved to different regions of the US - from the East Coast to the Midwest to the South - and we were on food stamps when I was young before we became middle class. I ended up getting an almost full ride to the Ivy League but never left my roots behind. I call myself an in-betweener because I’m part of many communities, but don’t fully fit into one single community. Although this can be lonely at times, it’s a vulnerability that can help me connect with others, have honest conversations, and build genuine connections.

When You're Invisible

Anicia: A Seat at the Table

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0053ed89-9a79-4ac9-b4b9-af6300fc491a/transcript