Tamara Johnson

Tamara Johnson

Comedy found me when I was a little girl sitting beside my grandmother and watching Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy. I remember how her big personality, physical comedy, and over-the-top antics made me feel, and I knew I wanted to give other people that same kind of joy. She was the first comedian I truly saw myself in, and that was the moment I realized making people laugh was more than something I enjoyed; it was something I was meant to do.

Tamara Johnson

I officially began to recognize my gift in middle and high school. Most people probably thought I was simply the class clown, but I was actually testing my ability to make people laugh and discovering whether I truly had what I believed was inside of me. The classroom, the cafeteria, backyard barbecues, the yard at PVAMU, meetings, and everyday conversations all became my first stages. I continued developing that gift through college and well into adulthood. Long before I ever performed professionally, I had spent more than 20 years studying comedy, observing timing, learning how to read people, and understanding what made a moment funny. By the time I finally stepped onto an actual stage, I already knew I could do it. I still needed to build my confidence as a performer, but the gift itself had been practiced, tested, and proven for years.

Tamara Johnson

I would describe my comedy style as bold, energetic, personable, and highly relatable. I have a big personality and a loud, charismatic delivery, but my comedy still feels warm and familiar. I tell stories in a way that makes audiences feel like they already know me, as though I am their sister, auntie, cousin, or longtime friend telling them something hilarious at the family gathering. My goal is not only to make people laugh, but to make them feel seen, comfortable, and included in the experience.

Tamara Johnson

When I host an event, people can expect energy, professionalism, quick wit, and genuine connection. I do more than introduce speakers and keep the program moving; I read the room, engage the audience, handle unexpected moments with confidence, and make every guest feel like they are part of the experience. Whether the event calls for laughter, elegance, inspiration, or all three, I know how to set the tone, maintain the momentum, and make sure the audience and the people being celebrated feel seen. When Tam I Am is on the stage, you can trust that the event is in capable hands and there will never be a dull moment.

Tamara Johnson

I wear many hats, so being active does not always look like standing on a comedy stage and telling jokes. Everything I do is connected to my gift of bringing people together, creating meaningful experiences, and bringing joy into every room I enter. For me, this gift is bigger than entertainment; it is a ministry. I believe it is more important to be a good steward of my gift than to stay busy simply for the sake of being seen. I am not interested in chasing every stage, opportunity, or room just to say that I am active. I would rather be intentional and serve in spaces that are aligned with who I am, what I carry, and the people I am called to reach.

Tamara Johnson

I believe the comedy industry is still male-dominated and there are real gaps in access, visibility, pay, and opportunity for women. At the same time, women are being heard more, creating their own platforms, and moving the culture forward in ways that cannot be ignored. Personally, I have never allowed the imbalance to become my main focus. My responsibility is to seek God first, continue developing my gift, sow faithfully, and be prepared when the right doors open. I trust God to place me in the rooms meant for me, but I also understand that faith does not replace the work; it gives purpose and direction to the work I am already doing.

Tamara Johnson

NWNJ Active Co. is a confidence-centered activewear and shapewear brand created to help women feel supported, strong, and comfortable in their bodies. The brand began from my own journey and my desire to create pieces that are functional, flattering, and made for real women with real bodies. Although it is separate from comedy, it still reflects the heart of everything I do; helping people feel seen, encouraging them to show up confidently, and reminding them that they do not have to shrink themselves to belong. It was was birthed from my own journey of learning to feel confident and comfortable in my body through every stage of change. I wanted to create activewear and shapewear for real women with real bodies—pieces that provide support without making women feel like they have to hide or become someone else. What began as a desire to solve a personal need grew into a brand designed to help women move confidently, embrace their strength, and show up fully in every area of their lives.

Tamara Johnson

My proudest career achievement is not one title, performance, or opportunity; it is the tenacity that has allowed me to keep going while balancing so many different roles. I have built businesses, served others, raised a family, worked a full-time career, and continued developing my gifts without giving up on myself. I am most proud that, even when the journey has been difficult or slower than I expected, I have continued to show up, adapt, and move forward.

Tamara Johnson

My pre-show ritual begins with prayer because I want to be spiritually grounded and sensitive to what the room needs. I scan my notes, but I also study the audience—their ages, backgrounds, energy, and even the size of the crowd; so I can decide how to connect with them. I love creating fresh material in the moment based on what I see, because my goal is to bring a room full of strangers together and make them feel like they have known one another for years.

Tamara Johnson

What’s next for me is expanding into acting and eventually producing my own reality television show. It may be a long-term goal, but I do not see it as a distant dream; I see it as the next chapter I am actively preparing for. I believe everything I am doing now, from comedy and hosting to storytelling and producing my own content, is building the foundation for it, and I know it is going to happen.