T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh

T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh (born Crystal Walker; October 13, 1962) is an American actress and singer. In addition to her status as an original cast member of the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color (1990–1994), Keymáh is also known for her roles as Erica Lucas on the CBS sitcom Cosby (1996–2000), Tanya Baxter on the Disney Channel sitcom That's So Raven (2003–2005), and as the star and host on the Keymáh Network sketch variety show The Cool Crystal Show (2020–present).

Early life Born Crystal Walker on October 13, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, at Cook County Hospital, Keymáh was raised Catholic on the city's South Side. Her mother, Arlene Carter, a student at Chicago State University, died when Keymáh was two years old. Keymáh's father, William Walker Sr., was an Illinois State Police trooper. He is of Seminole Indian descent from Springfield, Illinois. Following Cosby, she appeared for three seasons on the Disney series That's So Raven as Raven's mother, Tanya Baxter. In season four, her character was written out of the plot so that Keymáh could care for her ailing grandmother. Keymáh co-wrote and costarred in a two-person stage show with music, called Sellout!?!, with fellow College alumnus Bryan C. Jones, who was also one of the many guests to appear in her hit variety show T'Keyah Live! On June 21, 2022, Entertainment Tonight announced that Keymáh would reprise her role as Tanya Baxter on the That's So Raven spin-off, Raven's Home.

The Cool Crystal Show characters

Nzinghi Anyemeechi Mbweli Aharanwa (Cooking with the Queen) Mrs. Dr. Eliza Madree Weaver (Read to Me) Jett Stand up T'Keyah (Standup Tragedy) Nylah The Sisters Dr. Melanie Milan (The Milan Medical Moment) Miss Louise and Miss Ethel ("Ladies on the Porch") Mr. Z and Mr. Washington ("Men on the Porch")

Some of My Best Friends Some of My Best Friends is a series of monologues in verse and prose embodied by a dozen diverse but somehow connected characters. In this humorous, tear jerking, thought-provoking theatrical production, Keymáh champions societal issues that are as relevant today as they were when the show debuted to sold out crowds at Chicago's South Shore Cultural Center in 1991. Overcoming obstacles, the devastation of AIDS, the search for love, race relations, and teen promiscuity are just some of the topics explored. The show was chiefly penned by Keymáh but includes pieces written by or in collaboration with Ali LeRoi, Harry Lennix, and poet Angela Jackson (And All These Roads Be Luminous: Poems Selected and New); and includes a dance choreographed by Maurice Hines. About her work in this show critics have said: "Keymáh is a Charismatic Actress... Chameleonic and Effervescent" – Los Angeles Times;"...Beyond Superlatives; She's Phenomenal!" – Earl Calloway, Chicago Defender; "Much More Than Comedy"- Lisa M. Pancia, New York Vignette; "...a Delightful, Multitalented Performer whose ability to create believable characters on stage is a Wonder to Behold"- Nat Colley, Los Angeles Reader; "Keymáh is Magnificent" – Linda Armstrong, Amsterdam News;"...Keymáh's Poignant, Detailed Portrayals are Never Less Than Magnificent"- Randy Trabitz, Los Angeles Weekly. The show garnered an AUDELCO Award nomination for Best Solo Performer, an NAACP Theatre Award nomination for Best Writing, and NAACP Theatre Awards for Best Performance and Best Play.

Personal life Keymáh is an avid gardener and a vegetarian, as well as an active, Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority. She was initiated into the Beta Alpha chapter at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. Keymáh's brother is former Commander of the DC US Army National Guard, current Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives, the Honorable Major General William J. Walker.

Keymáh self-published three books: Cycle of Love: 28 Days of Organization, Rejuvenation and Meditation for Inspired Self Care, an inspirational self-help book with recipes, exercises and meditations; Some of My Best Friends: A Collection of Characters, the book version of the stage show she performed for ten years; and Natural Woman / Natural Hair: A Hair Journey – Hairstyles and Hairstories from the Front with Simple, Step-by-Step Instructions on Taking Care of your Natural Hair, an instructional hair care manual with anecdotes about her experiences with Afro-textured hair. She also contributed essays to "The HBCU Experience Book," "Dining with the Ancestors: When Heroes Come to Dinner," and "The Burden: African Americans and the Enduring Impact of Slavery."

Legacy Musical artist Flyy Moon pays tribute to Keymáh's iconic "In Black World" performance piece, by including the opening lines in the intro of her 2021 debut song release, "Black." Associated Black Charities operates a donor-advised Keymáh Cultural Fund, which provides tickets to youth groups to attend theatrical performances and funds artistic groups that serve or comprise teens and children. There is a theater scholarship named for Keymáh at her alma mater, Florida A&M University. and medical scholarship named for her at Meharry Medical College.

Educator T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh served as a K–8 substitute teacher for the Chicago Board of Education for 4 years. She has presented her "Tools of the Trade" actors preparation workshops at theatre festivals and other events in the United States, and she has lectured abroad. In the fall of 2017, Keymáh served as Florida A&M University's first ever W.K. Kellogg Foundation Artist-in-Residence in the College of Social Sciences, Arts, and Humanities Theatre department. Her residency included directing Pearl Cleage's The Nacirema Society Requests Your Presence at a Celebration of Their First 100 Years, teaching an Acting for the Camera course, and providing industry workshops and mentoring students.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1985 The Miss Black America Pageant Contestant Miss Illinois and 1st runner up for Miss Black America 1995 Tales from the Hood Nurse Parchman Uncredited 1997 Jackie Brown Raynelle 1996 The Show Denise Everett Series regular - 8 episodes 1998 Pinky and the Brain Singer Voice, episode: "Inherit the Wheeze" 1999Pinky, Elmyra & the BrainNurse GlandVoice, episode: "Mr. Doctor" 2000 Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child Grandmother / Robber Girl Voice, episode: "The Snow Queen" 2000–2001 Batman Beyond Old Woman, Makeba, Dispatch Operator 3 episodes 2002–2003 Static Shock Allie Langford / Nails, Teen Girl #1 Voice, 2 episodes 2003–2005 That's So Raven Tanya Baxter Series regular - 50 episodes (Seasons 1–3) 2004 My Wife and Kids Realtor Episode: "Moving on Out" 2004–2005 Teen Titans Bumblebee Voice, 4 episodes 2005–2006 American Dragon: Jake Long Various Voice, 3 episodes 2007–2008 Jury Duty Herself 5 episodes 2013 Let's Stay Together Dr. Blair Riley 2 episodes 2016 Sharknado: The 4th Awakens Tech Terry @ Astro X Television film 2017 There's...Johnny! Roz Series Regular - 6 episodes 2018 Kidding Amika Episode: "Pusillanimous" 2020 Two Degrees T'Keyah Episode: "Dessert & Down From There" 2020-2021 The Cool Crystal Show Host / Various Series Regular - 7 episodes 2022 Raven's Home Tanya Baxter Episode: "Bridge Over Troubled Daughter"

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2006 Teen Titans Bumblebee