We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamika Cloyd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamika below.

Tamika, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I knew I wanted to pursue modeling when I needed to get out of a mental and almost physical abusive relationship. Most women don’t know how to get out of these relationships. When you have a door open for opportunity to get out you take it! I fell in love with the rehearsals so much that I practiced everyday. When I finally hit the runway it begin to be my peace. I had tunnel vision it was me and the runway  no thoughts of anything else.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Tamika Cloyd began her modeling career in September 2012. She has always wanted to model but never knew how to get started. She would always watch model shows and wonder to herself how she can get into modeling when she is not as small as the models she sees. In 2008 Tamika met Plus Model Nina Taylor, which truly inspired her to get started in modeling, and an old friend, Model Monica Parks, pushed her to attend a model casting call for Glynn Jackson’s Golden Scissor Awards Hair Blitz Show in September of 2012. She was blessed to say that she was chosen for this show. Tamika was so determined that she would represent the plus size divas of the DMV by practicing her runway walk daily. Since this day she has been presented with so many opportunities to sleigh the runway for many plus size designers. She is currently the Brand Ambassador for Jbri Designs. Tamika has done shows for Golden Scissors Awards, Sister 4 Sister Possibiliteas, The Black Bride Bridal Brunch, Virtuous Women Bridal, Bridal Expo’s, The National Council of Negro Women founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, Critique Boutique Grand Opening Show, Delta Shows, Maryland Fashion Week, Baltimore Fashion Week, Bold Curves, Curves Rock, Raw Artistry Awards, 7th Annual Sanata Int’l Magazine Premiere for Nafy’s Braiding, District of Curves, Taste of the Runway, Lord and Taylor, Stomp the Runway for Autisms Show, Autoimmune Metrostyles Show, Pearlina Designs, National Curves Day and many more. She has even been in magazines for Beyond Curves Magazine. Full Bloom Magazine, Queen Size Magazine.

As a runway/print model Tamika provides the services of being a fashion model who showcases clothing and fashion accessories on a runway, stage, or news segment platform.

Some of the problems Tamika has solved on and off the runway is taking her time walking on the runway to give other models time to get dressed behind stage if they walked in a previous segment before hers. Help other models get dressed when she is not walking in a segment. Give advice to models on good poses to best display the garment that they are wearing. Being flexible to change outfits at the last minute. Always be prepared to model for other designers on short notice. As a brand ambassador for Jbri designs, Tamika has attended model fittings when the designer was unable to attend and selected models on the designer’s behalf.

What sets her apart from others is her smile, personality and unique walk on the runway.

She is most proud of all of her accomplishments in the modeling industry. Within her first few months of modeling she had the opportunity to be on a news segment which promoted the 2012 Glynn Jackson Golden Scissor Awards show which lead to many more doors being opened.

She is so grateful for all of the organizations and agencies that have opened the doors for plus size models. These wonderful opportunities have allowed plus designers to create amazing clothing lines for models to display on the runway while building the confidence of the plus community as they sit in the audience at runway shows. It sends the statement to always embrace your curves and never be ashamed of it.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Tamika’s main goal in this industry is to work with a wonderful company that will give her opportunities to inspiring young women by showing them how to be confident in thier walk and letting them know that they may not be a society’s ideal model but they are still beautiful and can accomplish their dreams in this industry.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a model is loving what she does and being comfortable and confident in the designers clothes on the runway. On that runway it is always her in her zone. All the stress from the week is left right there on that runway. To her the runway is her peace.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamika.cloyd
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamika.cloyd2l

Image Credits

For Green dress- designer- @eetique_fashions

Photographer- @kls.imagephots

Rosegold dress- designer- Jbri Designs

Photographer- @kls.imagephots

Blue dress: designer- @justdorneisha

Photographer- Oluwaseun Asade- @awesomeafrican1

Grey Coat dress: designer- Jbri designs- Photographer- picsbynigel.com

Here and there pic – Rick Logan- @rlstudios1207

Storm and Junk yard pic Designer- Jon Marc – Photographer- Tony Lee Facebook @Tony.Johnson