Biography
Born and raised in Georgetown, SC. Attended Choppee High School. Wrote the lyrics to the new alma mater. Graduated Valedictorian. Earned a BA in Mathematics from Fisk University with a 3.33 average. When I entered Fisks, I said to myself, "I will take a B because I am not going to speak in class. They are not going to laugh at me....You get what you say. Incidently, when I was in the 6th grade, I said to myself, I am going to be a movies star so I can make a lot of money and help feed hungry children. In spite of detours, I seem to be on my way. It’s a much longer journey than I expected. I Worked in Corporate for 18 years. Designing and developing computer systems; worked 7 years as an Office Manager for a small company.
My first acting role was in 1st grade. Enjoyed every opportunity to act during school. At Fisk University, my extracurricular activity was the theater. I worked in or on every production that was held while I was there.
My motto is ,"Take what you got and make what you want. I was extremely shy and nervous and uncomfortable talking to people, but I loved being on stage acting. I decided to figure out a way to become an actor. Along the way, I joined Mary Kay to begin preparing to replace my corporate income. I thought I would do temp work along with Mary Kay.
Anyway, time passed and I was accepted for training with The Harlem Theatre Company. A few months later, I booked my first paying role. I played a 68 year old woman who just came out of a mental hospital and only sang. It was in a a stage play called Gifts. Then I did some background work in some movies. In 2006, I quit my last job and got new headshots because I decided to pursue acting as a career full out. I was tired of burning out. It was time to sink or swim.
That has resulted in many TV and internet commercials. Some of my commercials clients included Pepsi, Burlington, Kohler Walk-in Baths, Brother Sewing Machines, AARP, PBS, Medicare Advantage, Crunch Gym, WeCare Max, BET, GA Power, WebMD, Wyndham Hotel, LG, Verizon, Macy's, NYC DOH, Quest Protein Muffins. OrthoCarolina.
Since 1996, I have played women over 65, or as I like to say, Grandma. I have also done several film and TV projects. I can be seen in Kingdom Business season 1 on BET+. in 2021, I picked up and moved to Atlanta on August 7th for 4 months. While there, I booked the role of MAYE on Kingdom Business. Earlier that year, I shot the leading role of Grandma in the indy film Third Week by Jordi Torrent from Duende Productions. And I have gotten to work with such great people with great personalities in Third Week, RIFF RAFF, 12 Days of Christmas Eve, Godfather of Harlem and the Equalizer. When I reflect back over my life, I am glad I never gave up. I cried a lot of tears, but right now, I am having my best years. I haven’t burned out since corporate work.
After I decided to pursue acting full out, I also ended up publishing a book of poetry because I felt compelled. From that I created a one woman show with songs and poetry, including a song that I wrote. I also started a company that helped others publish their books. Before I closed the business in 2020, I published a cook book, an autobiography, a novel and an anthology of 5 stage plays for for clients.
Now, life is about me and what I want. What I want is to make people smile. That was my very first dream. I find that being an actor provides that opportunity.
