Tanika Brown McKelvy was born and raised in Fresno, California. She stepped on the stage for the first time at age five and was immediately smitten. She attended Roosevelt School of the Arts (fka Roosevelt Performing Arts Magnet) and performed on stages throughout Fresno and Los Angeles, California as a young adult. She has since appeared professionally in film, television and theatre in both Los Angeles and New York City.

Growing up as a theater "brat" she learned various technical aspects of the theater such as; stage management, house management, and running lights and sound. The hands on approach eventually led her to likewise wonder what went on behind the scenes in film and piqued her curiosity toward what it takes to produce film and television. It was this interest that motivated her to switch colleges and majors. She eventually graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California with a Bachelor of Science in Management and formed her production company, Brown Girl Productions, shortly thereafter.

Ms. Brown McKelvy has had the pleasure of producing both film and theater and most recently a series slated for release on the web. In addition to being an actor and producer, Tanika recently completed her first screenplay, Organ Donor, adding "writer" to her growing Curriculum Vitae.

Acting however is still her first love. She recently starred in two films shot in New York, Beauty for Ashes and Urn. This is in addition to her film credits for The Good Neighbor Policy and television credits, House MD, Las Vegas, and George Lopez.

The Black Box Office report noted her as a "new stand out talent" during the 2009 Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. Tanika continues to work very hard, on both coasts, to remain worthy of that compliment.

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Tanika Brown McKelvy

Actress

Producer

Production Department

Self