Today we’d like to introduce you to Tee Two Times.
Hi Tee, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always tell people that NONE of what I do currently was ever in the original plan. When I was 8 years old I wanted to be a lawyer. By the time I graduated from high school I was convinced I’d be a pharmacist. I did end up getting a degree in Chemistry from Howard University but on my way out of there I picked up the radio and I haven’t let it go!
I had always enjoyed listening to the radio but after college, I loved the feeling of being on the radio station and making the magic happen. My first radio show was called “The Pregame” it started in 2014 on our school’s station WHBC. I then interned at one of Washington, DC’s premiere radio stations with the legendary Frank Ski at WHUR.
After returning to Detroit, I called my local station so many times that I won tickets to a Wiz Khalifa concert but I just wanted to be on air. After winning those tickets with Big Greg, I was able to connect and intern with Bijou Star and later DJ Angel Baby. They taught me so much, including how to DJ and I am so grateful for that!
I learned a lot about the technical aspects of media when I attended Specs Howard School of Media Arts but there’s a finesse to the art of radio that you have to learn “on the job”. It took a few years but I finally developed it and I landed my show on Hot 107.5 in 2018. Since then it’s been quite the journey and my experiences in radio have colored other areas of my life. Not only was I inspired to become a professional DJ, but I’ve also explored entrepreneurship in other areas.
My company, Not Your Auntie’s Vegan Baked Goods was an idea I got while sitting at the radio station. I started it in 2020 after my first year of following a plant-based diet and have since shipped cookies to cities all over the country! My radio career has emboldened me to pursue all of my passions wholeheartedly.
Recently produced my very own YouTube cooking show called Time Two EET! (pronounced “Time To Eat”). The show’s title is a play on my name, Tee Two Times, and on it, I interview recording artists and community leaders while we cook a plant-based meal together. It’s been really fun to do and it’s equally fun to watch!
I’m so grateful for how God has blessed me in this industry in the past 8 years. I have met and interviewed music industry giants like Tank & Nipsey Hussle and even newcomers who have had great success like Jack Harlow and EST Gee.
My skills have allowed for me to DJ alongside organizations like the NAACP, FootLocker, Fashion Nova, and more. I have even been able to perform in cities like Washington, DC, San Diego, CA, and event Punta Cana, DR! I’m proud of where I am and I know that this is still just the beginning for me!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I can’t say this has been a smooth journey in the slightest! In addition to the fact that it took FIVE different applications after interning with a company for over 4 years to even get my first part-time chance on-air, I lost my mother right before that opportunity presented itself. Experiencing such a devastating loss at the very beginning of my career pushed me in ways I hadn’t imagined.
I initially faced a lot of pushback from most of my family when I decided to pursue radio instead of pharmacy. My mother was the only one who was in my corner about that decision from the very beginning even if it meant living miles and miles apart while she secretly battled being sick. I work so hard now to simply honor her memory with my success.
Another challenge everyone in this industry faces is the industry itself. If you know, you know! It’s taught me to always be on the lookout for the next opportunity and to make the most of my network and my brand. I am grateful for the ability to do just that! I wouldn’t trade my experiences for the world.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a person who thrives at the intersection of music, food, and connection. Everything I do at this point lends itself to that: my job, my youtube show, my social media, and my business. As a radio personality, I do my best to engage, encourage and inspire over 100,000 people each time I crack the mic.
In my 5 years as a DJ, I’ve had the pleasure of performing at family events, corporate events, conventions, clubs, arenas, festivals, and on the radio. When I’m not playing music, I love being able to help create good energy in a room with my words. Helping people celebrate their moments both big and small is my professional (and personal) specialty.
I also really enjoy food! I started a vegan diet in 2019 after my mother passed away. I was happy to be taking control of my health in a way that worked for me but I was hard-pressed to find vegan desserts that I thought tasted good. So, I started making them myself and Not Your Auntie’s Vegan Baked Goods was born. I’m so happy to have created something that I like and that everybody else can enjoy too!
Business is growing and I’m creating new flavors in my head all the time. Not only do I share what I bake physically, but I also share what I’m cooking online! People stop me on the street to tell me that they enjoy my Instagram food tutorials and many others enjoy my YouTube cooking show, Time Two EET! I can’t wait to see where God takes me on this part of my journey.
I’m a multitasker and It’s the best kind of busy, but if I’m known for anything at all, it’s the fact that I bring great energy with me wherever I go. I know that I’m a light in this world. It’s a humbling feeling and it’s not a job I take lightly. People who know me understand that it doesn’t matter if I’m at a party, sharing some food, or simply baking cookies, I do everything with a love that people can feel and I take such great pride in that.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
When I think about it, my ability to pivot has been the most important factor in my success. When something isn’t working, I can make the necessary shifts to get back on track. I haven’t been afraid to try something new thus far and I don’t plan on starting today. Each turning point has brought me closer and closer to my God-given purpose and that is a blessing all by itself, any successes I have are extra. Pursuing and carrying out my purpose is my main goal.
Contact Info:
- Website: linktr.ee/TeeTwoTimes
- Instagram: instagram.com/imtwotimes
- Facebook: facebook.com/imtwotimes
- Twitter: twitter.com/imtwotimes
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOEH6NEHarB2zEdS7TEZs2Q
Image Credits
Jimmy Goldfinger, Armon, and Sensei Woods
