American designer Khala Whitney has described classism as her first culture shock after moving to Nigeria from the United States, saying wealth, family background and social connections influence how people relate to one another. Speaking on the MOSTBOOKED Podcast, Whitney shared her observations in an episode discussed in a report published on October 12, 2026.

“When I moved to Nigeria from the US, my first culture shock was the classism. In the States, being African American connects you with other African Americans. Here, it’s more about how much money you have, who your family is and who you know,” Whitney said.

Her observation highlights perceived differences in how social identity and belonging operate in the two countries, particularly the role of economic status and family connections in shaping social relationships.

Classism refers to prejudice or discrimination based on socioeconomic status. It can influence access to opportunities, social acceptance and professional networks, often determining how individuals are perceived and treated within a community.

In Nigeria, wealth and family background can influence social standing, while personal connections may provide access to opportunities in business, employment and other areas of life. These factors can shape interactions in professional and social settings, where an individual’s family name, financial position or network may affect how others respond to them.

Whitney’s comments also draw attention to the relationship between race, class and belonging for African Americans who relocate to Nigeria. Moving to a country with historical, cultural and ancestral connections to Africa can offer a sense of reconnection, but it may also introduce unfamiliar social expectations.

While shared racial identity can foster a sense of community among African Americans in the United States, Whitney suggests that wealth, family background and personal relationships carry considerable weight in her experience of Nigeria. Her remarks point to the possibility that people who expect a shared racial identity to create an immediate sense of belonging may encounter other social distinctions after relocating.

However, her assessment represents a personal experience rather than a universal account of how Nigerians form social relationships. Experiences of class and belonging can differ according to individual circumstances, location and community. Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups, economic circumstances and social environments also mean that relationships cannot be understood through a single explanation.

The comments nevertheless raise questions about the influence of economic inequality on social interactions and the opportunities available to people from different backgrounds. Where access to professional networks and social spaces depends heavily on financial resources or family connections, people without those advantages may face additional barriers.

Whitney’s observation adds the perspective of an American designer navigating a different social environment, highlighting how expectations about identity and belonging can change when people move between countries.