Tisha Campbell

Newark is home to its prestigious Arts High School, which has produced some famous talents. One of those stars is native-born actress Tisha Campbell. The actress was originally born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and later moved to Newark, NJ, where she attended the performing arts school. She has also spent some of her upbringing in nearby East Orange, New Jersey where she attended the Washington Academy of Music. Campbell’s acting career has made her a part of pop culture history. Her most notable work was playing the character of ‘Gina Waters-Payne’ in the hit television show ‘Martin’opposite of Martin Lawerence and Tichina Arnold between 1992-1997. But Campbell’s accolades don’t stop at Martin. Her official screen debut was in 1986 in the rock musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors. She went on to do other projects like Spike Lee’s iconic School Daze, House Party, and the 1992 classic Boomerang, among many other appearances through the nineties. By 2001, she had become a part of another memorable television staple, the ABC comedy series My Wife and Kids opposite Damon Wayans, where she would earn a NAACP award for her role. While the actress has enjoyed much success in her career, she continues to stay true to her Newark roots. She has visited her alma mater to speak to students and spark inspiration for the next generation of young talent. She also is the co-founder of Colored My Mind, a non-profit organization to raise awareness about childhood autism in communities of color.