Meet Tamara Faith: Published Author, Actress, Spoken Word Artist and Motivational Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamara Faith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamara, how do you think about risk?
I think risks themselves are necessary. I take a risk to go after my dreams but I also take the risk to bet on myself daily. I have to believe constantly in a drive that is deep within myself that creates my reality. I think risks can be nerve wracking but it’s that very feeling that I need to propel myself into the unknown and, there are so many good things in the unknown. In the realms of my life/career taking risks hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had to move multiple times after college, follow a dream no in my family understood and risk looking foolish to those that knew more than I did. I lost money, time, sleep, sometimes I lost out on opportunities to hang out with friends but I always had to put things into perspective. If I didn’t hone in on the risk I could take now, this moment may not come around again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a woman of action so I do a lot. I keep busy by Acting, creating films and I am a newly Published Author and Speaker. I love to give it my all, challenge my world by going against the grain and I love to encourage those to do the same. My drive is both gentle and infectious! I am most proud about how I didn’t give up and how much digging that needed to be done in order to get everything on the inside of me out. My first film“Hope Secured”, created alongside fellow creators Eric Bailey Jr. and Justin Little, is based on a poem that I wrote and wanted to bring to life set to release 2021. My debut book, Sweet Not Stupid available now on Amazon, is based on the poetry that I have written in my writing program with my now Author Coach Nikkie Pryce. In the process of all that keeps me busy, I’ve learned to be gentle, be patient but also be willing to face the ugly parts of myself I thought I was already healed from. I learned that I had a tendency of being too hard on myself thinking everything had to be perfect or that I had to handle things on my own when that’s not the case at all. I can call on others to help me with what I don’t know, and that’s ok. I learned that I just really care about what I am giving to the world and what’s more important is the release itself. I want the world to know that I have had low moments but that didn’t stop me. I have been broken and I have been dismissed, and even when I followed suit and almost dismissed myself, others believed in me who never gave up on me. I want people to know that I am not self-made but rather a product of my community and my faith.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

Oh that’s a good one! I love being outdoors and taking advantage of the artsy things that my city has to offer. I love hikes and sight seeing so I would take them to Runyon Canyon, Malibu, or even the abandoned LA Zoo to get some fresh air. When we got hungry we have a lot to choose from. I would take them to any of the following; Burbank for Porto’s, Mel’s Fish Shack for some good ‘ol comfort fish fry, Dulan’s for Soul food in South LA, Salsa and Beer or Sweet Blessings in the Valley and Diddy Reese in Westwood for Dessert! One of these nights we’re definitely on the town so we would be go to Adults Only or Tiki No where they have fire drinks! They also have a buy one get one free at Jalapeno Pete’s on Tuesdays for Taco Tuesdays so we are definitely going there! In addition I would love to take them to the lights at LACMA, Museum of illusions, The Broad, The Museum of Dream Space and MOCA in downtown. Many of these places have cool rooms to see and many interesting facts about the artists that put said rooms together. I have a variety of different friends who are creative and also athletic so they are more than welcome to come hang with us at any of these places to have fun. We can even just go at a friends house just to kick it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to first give a shout out to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Thank you for guiding me and loving me through my pain. Without you, nothing is impossible. In addition, I’d like to continue my shout out with my loving and supportive parents Tracey V and Theresa Gilmore. Your prayers are everything and I really thank you for constantly encouraging me as I go through this life trying to find my place in the world. I would like to also shout out Samantha Liu and the University Student Union for putting on Espressions for poets and entertainers to share their craft just as I have during my undergrad. I also want to shout out my most recent mentor and writing coach Nikkie Pryce who has pushed me and seen me through writing and publishing my very first book that you all now can enjoy today! Shout out to Eric Bailey Jr, Justin Little and Ericka Atwell, my fellow producers of my very first short film. Shout out to Catherine Saunders for her Black Owned business The Shae Parlor, Actress and Athlete Kristen Horde and Hostesses Ashley Caprice, CEO of the Go Girl Podcast and Producer and Filmmaker Jasmine Hester! Thank you to my friends and family who has seen me through so many rough emotional times and for encouraging me when I was at my lowest. This smile that I wear through the pain is a reminder that we don’t have to wear a frown while we work and that brighter days are on the way!

Website: www.Tamarafaith@gmail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelyladytam_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovelyladytam

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9i-HvtOAmPD6JVHQOExnYA

Image Credits
Roman Higgins