"I will not apologize" - Ohio woman responds to community backlash after allegedly racially profiling black real estate developer in viral video

An Ohio woman accused of racially profiling a black real estate agent, Mike Jenkins, after a viral video surfaced online denied the allegations. In a lengthy video posted on Facebook on January 18, 2025, the woman, who identified herself as Michelle Bishop, said she is not a racist and was unaware of Jenkins' race during the incident that occurred in November 2024.

On January 18, 2025, popular pop culture Instagram account The Neighborhood Talk shared a video alleging an Ohio real estate developer, Mike Jenkins, was racially profiled after a neighbor, now identified as Michelle Bishop, claimed she was being followed by him when she was out jogging with her two young kids. The incident reportedly occurred on November 19, 2024.

At the time, Bishop reportedly ran to a house for help after believing Jenkins, who was driving in his car, was chasing after her. The house that Bishop ran towards in search of help, per the viral video belonged to Jenkins and his family. When Jenkins pulled into his driveway and asked the woman if she was looking for somebody, Bishop asked him if he was the owner of the house. When Jenkins said yes, she said, “I don’t believe that,” and proceeded to run down the street with her kids, screaming for help.

The video of the encounter went viral online, triggering a wave of backlash against the Ohio woman who was labeled as a racist. In the wake of the outrage, the Ohio woman, Michelle Bishop took to Facebook and defended herself against the allegations.

Bishop said she was inundated with messages asking her to apologize to Jenkins for the ‘racist remark.” Bishop said her Facebook is public before noting:

"I will not apologize for making any sort of racist remark. I’m the furthest thing from a racist.”

However, she added:

“I will however apologize that my expression could ever come across in such a way that somebody could think that about myself and my family.”

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Ohio woman denies racially profiling black real estate developer Mike Jenkins

In response to the viral clip online accusing the Ohio woman of racially profiling the black real estate agent, the woman shared a clip explaining her side of the encounter.

The Ohio woman, Michelle Bishop, explained that on the night of November 19, she was out jogging with her two young kids in the back of her neighborhood which is under construction. Bishop said it was dark and there were not many lights out there. She said when she was turning around she saw headlights following behind her and her woman's intuition kicked in as the car was slowly driving up on her tail.

Bishop revealed at the time her only thought was to get her children off the street so she ran to the first home she spotted on the sidewalk, noting:

“Women have been taught that if you feel unsafe and see a car approaching, go to the closest house that is nearby and pretend that it is yours.”

Bishop revealed as she was walking up to the house she heard the man in the car say

“Can I help you with something” noting “It wasn't super friendly and I get it.”

Bishop said she ignored the question and proceeded to walk up to the house, prompting the man in the car to ask:

“Are you looking for someone?”

Bishop supposedly said no and rang the doorbell of the house seeking help. When nobody responded, Bishop allegedly asked the man “Is this your home?”

She reminded the viewers, “Remember it’s dark, the street is not lit well.”

The man reportedly said yes and she replied “I don't believe that it is.” She added “And he said this is my house and I said I don't think it is”

Bishop defended her response stating:

“At that point the only reason I said that was because truly the awkward encounter of slowing up behind me, talking to us multiple times. I’m in a frantic state and It’s late at night. I’ve got my kids, and my two babies and the lady at the door is not answering. There are no other homes that are well-established. There’s construction. It’s a corner house and I’m thinking my radar is like this is not a house.”

Bishop said she then abandoned the stroller and ran with her kids down the neighborhood, seeking help before she was let inside a neighbor’s home. Bishop reportedly called the police stating she was being followed, prompting the neighbor to ask if it was a Black man. The neighbor revealed a black family lived in the house.

The Ohio woman claimed she told the neighbor she did not believe the man in the car was Black and recalled stating it was a white man.

“I said I don't think it’s a black man. And when my husband got there he asked me again, "Are you sure it’s not a black guy because a black family lives there? I said no.”

Bishop said when they went back to Jenkins's house to get the stroller, she was informed by his wife that the man in the car was the owner of the home. She recalled apologizing to the family.

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Ohio real estate agent Mike Jenkins responded to the viral video on his Instagram account writing in part:

“Looking back at the video, I’m proud of myself—not just for the success I’ve achieved, but for the growth I’ve experienced. I’m proud that even in the hardest moments, I was able to handle the situation with grace and not spaz out when it could have been so easy to lose control. That’s the growth I’ve worked for, and it shows me how far I’ve come.”

The Ohio woman maintained she was unaware of Jenkins' race during the encounter due to the poorly lit street. She denied the assertion that she had racially profiled the real estate developer.