The Power of Communication: Jennifer & Sekou Kaalund’s Story of Lasting Love

In this episode of DOTTIE’s House, we sit down with Jennifer and Sekou Kaalund, who met in high school, started dating in college, and have built nearly 25 years of marriage rooted in communication and friendship.

Jennifer, a Ph.D. and professor of religious studies, was the primary breadwinner early on, while Sekou began a career that would take him from J.P. Morgan , where he founded Black Pathways , to his current role as an executive at U.S. Bank.

A pivotal turning point came in graduate school, when they both won a national competition and gained access to the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). The exposure to mentors and executives shaped not only their careers but also their vision for family and legacy. As Sekou says, “It’s hard to be what you cannot see,” and those examples expanded his sense of what was possible.

With three children , a son at Morehouse College and two daughters one in high school and one middle school, the Kaalund’s share how family retreats, intentional communication (they’ve never gone a single day without talking since they began dating), and the guidance of mentors have grounded their marriage and elevated their impact.

Their story is a testament to how love, mentorship, and intentionality can shape not only a marriage, but a legacy for generations.