Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Davis.
Tammy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, My name is Tamara “Tammy” Davis, I was born and raised in Gary, IN. I graduated from Emerson School of the Visual & Performing Arts High School; I was a vocal major and participated in musical theater. I graduated high school with honors and a member of the National Thespian Society. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta, GA to pursue a higher education at Clark Atlanta University which is an HBCU in Atlanta, Ga. I knew that I wanted to live in Atlanta ever since I was a little girl. I was blessed to be exposed to major events such as the Bonner Brothers Hair Show, travel and work behind the scenes at big entertainment events. Some of my first entertainment experiences was gained growing up in Gary, IN. As a teenager, I was able to be a youth worker for the City of Gary at the annual Independence Day celebration held each year. This event was a highlight for the city every summer. We would have big name acts come in town and perform on stage at Marquette Park. I remember being mesmerized by the bright lights and seeing celebrities up close and personal. I was able to see acts like Charlie Wilson and the Gap Band, Ron Isley & The Isley Brothers, and Naughty By Nature, just to name a few.
After graduating from high school, I knew I wanted to work in Entertainment and that’s just what I did. While attending Clark Atlanta University in my Junior year, I was granted an internship at the number 1 Hip Hop radio station in Atlanta at that time, Hot 107.9. This radio station was owned by a black woman, media mogul Cathy Hughes. I gained so much experience and insight working in research, marketing and being a part of the Bomb Squad street team. From live radio remotes to backstage concert action, I was fortunate to experience the entertainment industry from the inside out. You truly had to be there to understand the exposure, the culture, the energy, and the magnitude of the experiences I was able to witness and be a part of. Being immersed in those environments allowed me to gain a firsthand understanding of what happens behind the scenes and how the many elements of entertainment come together to create the experiences audiences ultimately see and remember.
I can look back and say that I played a part in the grass roots marketing for many Atlanta artists such as T.I., Young Jeezy, Ludacris and so many more. I remembered in my freshman year of college I was asked what my five-year plan looked like, at that time I stated that I wanted to own my own record label. Fast forward to today, I have relocated back home to be close to family and utilize many of my entertainment experiences and background with my current position as the Ticketing Operations Supervisor for Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. Although I do not own a record label, I did get to start my first entertainment company in Atlanta, GA, Diva 4 Life Entertainment. My Big Sister, LaShawnda Davis was a managing partner, together, we made an impact in the Atlanta entertainment scene by promoting plus-size inclusive events. Our first event was at Bar One Atlanta, Bar One was one of the hottest hangout spots in the ATL owned by the former Real Housewives of Atlanta star, Peter Thomas. I knew Peter’s business partner, Carlo Wilkes as well, so I am forever grateful of them taking a chance on the company, our ideas and events. In addition to owning an entertainment company, I have also made a name for myself as a plus size model, actress, influencer and confidence coach. I have been featured in music videos as a principal talent for artist Nick Cannon featuring Akon, and Kandi Burruss from the group Xscape and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. I have done some background acting and was featured in the movie Horrible Bosses with Jamie Foxx. I have been blessed to model & walk the runway for fashion brands like Ashley Stewart, Torrid and Addition Elle. In 2014, I took a leap of faith and ventured out to start my brand, Curves In The Streets. My desire and drive to advocate for size diversity in mainstream media and red-carpet events have helped me create my own lane in the entertainment, fashion and beauty industries. Curves In The Streets is a lifestyle brand and now company that promotes confidence through beauty, fashion and entertainment. Since 2014, I have had the pleasure of being a brand ambassador, influencer, PR pro, media personality, radio host, author, songwriter, singer, producer, fashion designer, and event coordinator all under the Curves In The Streets umbrella. I am a creative and I love creating and making opportunities happen. I have built a platform to share and display diversity, talent and confidence. My latest body of work that I am most proud of is the creation of the Confidence Calendar. I published my first calendar in 2021, right after the Covid pandemic. What started off as notes of encouragement to myself to stray away from depression led to the creation of the Confidence Calendar. I am going into my 7th year of creating the calendar and each year it gets bigger and better. The Confidence Calendar has cultivated a dedicated community and loyal supporters that look forward to the release each year. I truly believe that my team and I have created something truly special with the Confidence Calendar. This is a passion project that I get to share and work on with my amazing mom, Ms. Shirley Davis, my Sis, LaShawnda Davis and my nephew, Chris Davis. We are building a family legacy. From creating the yearly theme, monthly titles, notes and affirmations, the photo shoots and working with an amazing team of advisors. This is how I build my confidence and I get to share it with the world. Creating the Confidence Calendar has led me to get my certification as a Confidence Coach. I live by the words published in the confidence calendar. The featured notes of encouragement and motivation all play a part into building one’s confidence. I believe creating this calendar and building my confidence has also led me to working my dream job. To be working in entertainment for a major and respected brand like, Hard Rock does not get any better. I play a role in assisting in bringing some of the best live entertainment experiences to Northwest Indiana, especially in the city I was born and raised in Gary, IN. To be the first black woman to have an entertainment leadership role in the city I was born and raised in will forever be an accomplishment that I hold dear to my heart. Home is where I got my first start in entertainment. I’m just trying to do my part, and I hope to continue to blaze a trail for anyone that has a dream. It’s never too late to pursue your goals and dreams. My personal motto is to “Always rock your confidence, it looks good on you”.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. I have always been plus-sized since I was child. There was not a lot of representation of people that looked like me in mainstream media when I was growing up. Also, even though I have always had a supportive family, great teachers, and role models from school. I didn’t have many experiences nor trainings on “how” to build my confidence. What do you do when you’re in a room full of talented people that are better than you. How do you stand out amongst a crowd and not feel intimidated. Even as a model, I have attended numerous casting calls where I’m competing against other beautiful women. I have faced many rejections and have been told, I’m not good enough, I don’t have the right look, I’m too fat, not big enough. I have had my share of let downs and rejection. However, this all led me into having a determination to be the change that I wish to see and to build my confidence and create my own lane.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the creative force behind the brand, Curves In The Streets. Curves In The Streets is a lifestyle brand that promotes confidence through beauty, fashion and entertainment. Through CITS, I have had the opportunity to work as a Brand Ambassador, influencer, model, actor, event producer, author and Confidence Coach. I am most proud of my creation of the Confidence Calendar. What started as notes of encouragement to get myself out of depression is now an annual calendar that is distributed worldwide. The Confidence Calendar features monthly declarations, inspirational and motivational notes along with affirmations to encourage and boost one’s confidence. Since the creation of the Confidence Calendar, I have become a certified Confidence Coach. We also have merchandise that coincides with the calendar. The creation of the Confidence Calendar has set me apart from others, it’s our consistency. As a female and minority owned publication we are going into year 7 of creating the Confidence Calendar and it gets bigger and better each year. I feel that a person can never stop building their confidence as long as there is breath in your body.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Networking has played an intricate role in my growth and development. I feel many people still don’t know how to network, socialize and connect with other like-minded people. A piece of advice that I always try to share with others is don’t be afraid to step outside of the box. That box is your comfort zone. I despise the saying, “only support those who support you.”
Some of my biggest blessings and building relationships that have helped and supported my business have come from supporting people that I do not know. If I see or meet a person that is doing something dope, I will support regardless of if I know them or not.
Pricing:
- Confidence Calendar is $12
- Royal Confidence merchandise start at $25 and up
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.curvesinthestreets.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvesinthestreets
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curvesinthestreets
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/citstammydavis/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Curvesinthestreets
