Today we’d like to introduce you to Tekia Gee.
Hi Tekia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am an actress, writer, mentor, and entrepreneur. Born and raised in Dallas, Tx. Right at Parkland Hospital. I had a combination of family that helped my mother raise me. So huge shout out to my village, my aunties, uncles and grandparents. No way I would of made it without all of you. I grew up mostly in North Dallas, even though I lived all over the metroplex. With the unique name W’Tekia (WA-Tee-kAH) I definitely always stood out, even if I didn’t want to. I always felt I was different and just always I felt I had purpose. I was the middle child of 3, and always seemed to be the glue between my siblings(mother’s side). I very much looked up to my big brother, so I was bit of a tomboy and a free spirit. I followed my brother around and he hated it. But he taugh me to be tough, to be a fighter and stand up for myself. So this characteristic has stayed with me all through my life. Including my silly and entertaining side, I probably owe those traits of my personality to my mother and even Father. We did struggle. So, naturally my mother did not have much money for extracurricular activities. This did not stop me from trying though. I would join the choir, sports, and stage plays. I stayed active throughout school and actually became good at basketball and theatre arts. I got my first leading part in a stage play in 5th grade. I remember the stage director telling me “if you can learn all these lines over the weekend, I will give you the part”. Baby, I learned all those lines. It was just a little Christmas play at school, but you never forget stuff like that. Once I reached high school, I tried going to modeling and casting calls locally. I convinced my grandpa to take me to Kim Dawson agency once when I was 16. But it always ended being a money issue, so a lot of those ventures lead nowhere. I attended 3 high schools, Thomas Jefferson, Lake Highland, and graduated at Naaman Forrest High School. I enjoyed movies and books. Discovering my love for books, I imagined being in these stories or becoming these characters I would read about. I think this is the main reason I wanted to be an actor. I watched Halle Berry, Angela Basset, even Lucille Ball from the I Love Lucy Show. Jason Weaver, Klya Pratt, and Orlando Brown, (just name a few)were the kid actors I aspired to be like. These were amazing actors to me. My favorite actors are Jamie Foxx, just for his versatility and his multiple talents. Then of course the G.O.A.T Denzel Washington, because he is just so damn good.
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?
We moved a lot when I was younger, so this meant I could be a new person every time I had to go to a new school. But it also meant it was hard to have friends because I would be new. However, this pushed me to try to be the best. Especially when I was trying to make friends. I had a tough childhood growing up with a single mother. But she did her best to provide for us. This is one of the reasons becoming an actress seemed so unlikely because I didn’t really have the resources or really anyone to help me. And to have such an odd dream. An actor?!? I didn’t know no one coming out of the inter-cities (hood) of Dallas becoming an actor. So, it really wasn’t anyone to aspire to be like. So, sports, church, and being around my paw paw and granny helped me to stay out of the way of many things that were easy to fall victim to. I’m an 80s baby, so I’ve seen a lot, including family members getting addicted to drugs. I did end up living with my grandmother Alice who had a big heart and tried her best to invest in stuff we wanted to do. Between her and my mother, that is where most of my strength comes from. My granny made sure I knew God. So, prayer and faith got me through the tough times. Now I have my own family. So my husband and I lean on each other and push one another to keep going no matter how hard it gets.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an active actor in Dallas that was blessed with my first leading in a movie called HEAVY. I worked with skilled actors like DeAndre Bonds of the series Snowfall and Jamal Woolard of The Notorious B.I.G. I was blessed to trained with acting coach Theresa Bell of T. Bell Acting Studios, and also Director and coach Troy Rowland. What I believe what sets me apart from other is my present and energy on set. My scene partners say I make them step up they game when they do a scene with me. I have been told I am very coachable, take good direction, and an all-around natural actor. I have been described as a leader great attitude and have a charismatic way about me. But most all, my SMILE. You usually see my smile before you see me LOL. I am always smiling and laughing. Also, I am a naturally curvy woman. Woman have reached out to me just thank me for looking like them (full-figured)-thick) and being talented. Some of my movie credits include Heavier (part 2 of Heavy comes out this fall) A True Christmas, Beneath the Scar, Smears TV (released in May 2023) King of Dallas, and A Miracle Christmas to name a few. I did get blessed with the opportunity as the leading lady in the stage play called A Few Good Men as LT Commander Joanne Galloway. The play opened at the Garland Civic Center in January 2023. Directed By Aaron C. Butler. First of it’s kind to be done with a black director and black leading woman. Some upcoming films to lookout for that I will be in: Queen’s Trip by Kendra Rainey-King and Creep by Demarcus Bailey. I am most proud that my 3 sons get to see their mom live her dreams. I have actually had one of my sons in a movie with me, and that was an unbelievable feeling. My son got to see his mom in action. My sons are my greatest accomplishment in life. I am teaching them that it’s never too late for anything in life and do whatever you love with your heart.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
This a crazy world we live in. So my love for acting is very therapeutic and has helped heal me from a lot of chldhood trauma. I was blessed to join an organazation called OGU who are very involved in helping in the community of Dallas and fight against senseless violence. I love working with children and mentoring. I have coached both cheer and basketball. I pray to have a school or program one day for kids out of my neighborhood that have the same dreams as me as I did as a child. But I will be their resource, and they will not have to worry about money. I want to teach preforming arts and I see myself directing one day. I am a very proud black woman. Proud of who I am. I believe in standing for something and standing on that. So I do my best to be some type of example. I am in no way perfect. So I have life lessons everyday. It is so much more to learn and so much work I beleive God wants me to do. Thank you so much for this honor and interest of some of my story.
