We were lucky to catch up with Tyra Morrison recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Tyra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

This is such a great question because I vividly remember that feeling.

The first dollar I made from my creative work came from a commercial I booked all the way back in 2012. I was still in Louisiana at the time, signed with a small local agency, and somehow landed a spot in a commercial for Campus Federal—a regional bank.

Now listen, I wasn’t the star or anything. I was cast as “Jogger.” No lines. Just vibes. But I had about three glorious seconds of screen time—and baby, you could not tell me I wasn’t on my way to the Oscars. I don’t even remember how much I got paid, but I do remember how it made me feel. That commercial ran for years. YEARS. And every time I saw it, something inside me would light up. I remember thinking: “Okay…this is it. I want to keep doing this.” That was the spark. The confirmation that Acting could actually be my career.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey y’all! I’m Tyra Morrison — an actress, pastry chef, storyteller, podcast host, and the creative behind the food blog Tyra’s Table.

I’m most notably known for playing the role of Young Amelia on the hit Netflix original sitcom Family Reunion, starring Tia Mowry and Loretta Devine. That role was such a special moment in my journey—one of those “wow, I really do this” kind of milestones, and it just so happened to be my first audition ever here in Los Angeles. Booking that role was definitely a sign from God that I should pursue acting further.

My journey into the creative world started long before I ever booked a job or pressed record. I’ve always been a performer at heart. Growing up, I would write, direct, and star in holiday plays for my family—those living room productions were my first stage. I always knew I loved to act, but it wasn’t until 2008 that I got my first real taste of it in school. That year, my middle school introduced its very first drama class, and I was lucky enough to be part of it. That single opportunity lit the match.

I was blessed enough to be part of the first drama class ever offered at my middle school back in 2008. Before then, theater wasn’t even an option. I was one of the lucky ones who got to experience it, and that class completely opened my eyes. From there, I went on to star in musicals and plays all through high school, and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre with a concentration in Performance and Directing from Northwestern State University in Louisiana.
After graduating—early, by the way—I decided to take a little side quest and go to culinary school in Philly. I’ve always loved food and creativity, and it felt like the perfect detour before jumping into the next chapter. In 2017, right after finishing culinary school, I launched my YouTube channel—not for fame or clout, but as a vehicle to get myself seen, to sharpen my skills, and to get closer to the dream: becoming a working actress in Los Angeles.

In 2018, I decided there was nothing more for me where I was. I packed up everything, moved to LA, and I haven’t looked back since.
My work lives at the intersection of performance, voice, and storytelling. As an actress, I bring characters to life through nuance and presence. As a host and digital creator, I bring warmth, curiosity, and a whole lot of personality to the screen. My podcast, Affirmations for Black Girls, is a love letter to women navigating life’s many seasons—it’s vulnerable, affirming, and grounded in real-life experience. And my food blog, Tyra’s Table, is where I let my creativity run wild in the kitchen—it’s equal parts comfort, experimentation, fellowship, and celebration.

What sets me apart is that I do it all from a place of authenticity. I don’t do anything that doesn’t feel good to me or fill me with joy. Whether I’m in front of the camera, in the kitchen, or behind a mic, I’m always asking: How can I make someone feel something today? I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built all of this brick by brick—no shortcuts, no gimmicks. Just God, passion, intention, and a lot of late nights.

If you’re just meeting me for the first time, I want you to know this: everything I create is rooted in joy and honesty. My work is an invitation—to sit at the table, to be seen, and to feel something real.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

In college, I was taught that you had to wait to be cast, wait to be hired, wait for someone to give you a shot. That was the traditional mindset: audition, hope, wait. Again and again. And even though I listened—because, I mean, my teachers were the professionals—I remember thinking… this can’t be the only way.

It never really sat right with me. Especially since I’ve always created my own art in one way or another.

The real shift happened after I graduated from culinary school and launched my YouTube channel in 2017. That was the first time I said, “I’m not waiting anymore.” I didn’t need someone to pick me—I could pick myself. I could act, host, create—right now. I had a camera, a story to tell, and a dream I wasn’t willing to sit on any longer.

Yes, we have way more opportunity now with social media and digital platforms—but the truth is, we never needed to wait for permission in the first place. We just weren’t always told that.

Starting my channel wasn’t just about building a portfolio—it was about reclaiming my power. And I’ve carried that lesson with me ever since. For me, as an actress, the name of the game is creating the roles you want to be cast in. Let the casting directors catch up with you.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Of course. The heart of my creative journey has always been about impact—real, emotional impact. I want people to feel something when they experience me and my work. Whether it’s a laugh, a sigh of relief, a spark of inspiration, or just that quiet, comforting feeling of being seen—I live to create moments that matter.

There’s a quote by Maya Angelou that I live by: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” That’s everything to me. That’s the mission.

I’ve always been deeply drawn to fellowship connection. That’s why I also love to host and cook for my friends. And, that’s why I started Tyra’s Table. Bringing people together over food is one of the most sacred, human things we can do. It’s not just about feeding the body—it’s about nourishing the soul. Those moments of laughter around the table, trying something new, being in community—that is storytelling too.

And in my acting, the goal is the same. I want people—especially little Black girls—to feel seen. I want them to see a piece of themselves in the characters I bring to life. I want them to know that they’re not too much, not too quiet, not too quirky or bold or soft or weird. They’re enough, just as they are.

I want my work to say: “You belong here. You matter. I see you.” Because at the end of the day, that’s what we’re all really looking for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tyrathecreative.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tyrathecreative
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/tyrathecreative
• Other: Food Blog: Tyra’s Table – www.tyrastable.com

  Affirmations For Black Girls Podcast: https://redcircle.com/shows/affirmations-for-black-girls

Image Credits

Koury Angelo