What’s the First Thing You’d Do If You Won the Lottery?

Lakeisha Okafor
May 7
2 min read

A TikTok Conversation With Black Women That Turned Into a Reflection on Wealth, Freedom, and Legacy

I recently asked a question on TikTok: What’s the first thing you’d do if you won the lottery? I didn’t expect the flood of responses I received, especially from many Black women. The answers were full of soul, wisdom, and strategy. Some were quiet, some bold, but nearly all were rooted in one thing: freedom.

The question may have been hypothetical, but the dreams were real. So I’m bringing this conversation to the blog.

My Answer: Legacy Moves, Not Luxury

If I won the lottery, only a small circle would know—my husband, kids, sister, mom, niece, and brother-in-law. I’d make sure they were set for life, but I wouldn’t let money change how we live. We’d stay in our home. No big flex, no new circle.

But behind the scenes? I’d be building.

I’d invest in real estate—especially in Newark, NJ, and Baltimore, MD. I’d focus on Black and Brown communities and use my resources to pour into the people. I’m talking about real help: food, clothing, education, and funding for the next generation of entrepreneurs.

And here’s the part I’ve been sitting with deeply: we don’t just need more CEOs—we need more tradespeople. I’d use my winnings to support Black men and women becoming electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and teachers. These careers build communities. They’re the backbone. And they deserve just as much shine and support as tech startups and influencers.

Oh—and yes, I’d finally get that SUV. My Ford Explorer is over 20 years old, and she’s done her job. 😂

What the Women on TikTok Said

Here are some of the beautiful responses I received from the women who joined the conversation:

@snaxzgirl: “Move in silence. Not saying another word.”
@tiffanygrant: “Disappearing.”
@slossyshouse: “Getting an attorney first.”
@jazz: “Move to Canada or Thailand. Pay off all debt. Buy land.”
@scent.collective: “Buying my forever home.”
@nesialarae: “Buying a beach house.”
@byday: “Moving to a bigger house in my city and traveling.”
@mesh: “Opening multiple businesses and investing.”
@rompinaround: “The one thing I’m NOT doing is telling anybody!”

The patterns were clear: rest, peace, protection, ownership, and independence. These women weren’t just chasing a dream—they were chasing security and control over their lives, and they deserve it.

What This Teaches Me About Black Women and Wealth

These responses weren’t wild or flashy. They were strategic, grounded, and intentional. They came from women who know what it means to stretch a dollar, carry a household, and dream big while staying grounded.

What moved me most was how many women wanted to build, not just for themselves, but for others. From starting businesses to securing land, from vanishing for peace to giving back, a deep sense of responsibility shows up when we dream.

We don’t just want to win. We want us to win.

So let me turn the question back to you. Not just what would you do if you won the lottery, but—

What would you build if you had the means?

Whose life would you quietly change?

What part of your community would you strengthen?