The aftermath of George Floyd’s tragic death on May 25 and the global wave of protests ignited by the Black Lives Matter movement have brought profound changes and difficult conversations to the home of Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, along with her husband, recently shared the emotional impact these events have had on their family, especially their children.

During a heartfelt appearance on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” Kandi Burruss opened up about the raw, honest discussions she’s had with her children, Riley Burruss, 17, and her young son Ace.

As a mother, Kandi has been forced to confront the realities of racial injustice and police brutality, and help her children navigate their feelings and confusion.

Kandi revealed that Riley, her teenage daughter, has taken a bold stand in response to the ongoing protests and unrest. Riley started her own movement within her friend group, monitoring which of her non-Black friends were showing support or concern for the Black Lives Matter movement and the fight against police brutality.

Riley attends a school where the majority of students are white, and she made the decision to unfollow any friend who did not acknowledge or speak out about the issues facing the Black community.

Kandi described Riley’s actions: “She was like, ‘I’m unfollowing every single friend or person that is non-Black who’s not speaking up about this, who’s not showing that they are an ally with our community.’ She was serious about it. If she didn’t see some type of statement or show that you care, she wasn’t following you.” For Kandi, seeing her daughter take such a strong, principled stance was both inspiring and a reminder of the weight young people now carry.

But the challenges have been even more poignant with her little boy Ace. Kandi shared the heartbreak of explaining to Ace, who had previously idolized police officers and dressed as one for career day, that sometimes those in uniform can also be the bad guys.

“He was so confused,” Kandi said, her voice filled with emotion. “I’m still working on explaining to him the horrific acts of the police. We must have honest conversations with our children and prepare them.”

Todd Tucker, Kandi’s husband, echoed her sentiments, describing his own struggle with the painful reality of having these conversations with their son.

“I haven’t been very vocal lately as my heart has been hurting,” Todd admitted. “My son was a police officer for his career day last year. We were watching the news and he asked me, ‘Are police the bad guys?’ with a puzzled look. He was so confused and I’m still working on explaining to him the horrific acts of the police.”

The couple emphasized that families everywhere are grappling with these serious discussions, trying to prepare their children for a world that can be frightening and unjust. The emotional toll is evident, as Kandi and Todd navigate their own feelings while supporting their children through confusion, fear, and a growing awareness of social injustice.

Their story is a reflection of the wider struggle faced by countless families in America. The pain and confusion experienced by children, the need for honest conversations, and the importance of standing up for justice are now a part of daily life. Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker’s openness serves as a powerful reminder that change begins at home, and that even the smallest acts—like Riley’s refusal to stay silent—can inspire hope and progress in the fight for equality.