T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
Keymáh in July 2019
Born	Crystal Walker (1962-10-13) October 13, 1962 (age 62) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Education	Florida A&M University
Occupation	Actress singer
Years active	1982–present
Known for	In Living Color Cosby That's So Raven
Awards	2012 – TV Land Groundbreaking Show Award (In Living Color)

T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh (born Crystal Walker on October 13, 1962) is an American actress and singer. She is famous for being one of the first cast members on the Fox comedy show In Living Color (1990–1994). Keymáh also played Erica Lucas on the CBS show Cosby (1996–2000). Many know her as Tanya Baxter, Raven's mom, on the Disney Channel sitcom That's So Raven (2003–2005). More recently, she has been the star and host of The Cool Crystal Show (2020–present).

Early Life and Name Change

T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh was born Crystal Walker on October 13, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up on the South Side of the city. Her mother passed away when Keymáh was two years old. She was then raised by her grandparents.

From a young age, Keymáh loved to entertain. She started singing, dancing, and telling stories at age three. In elementary school, she wrote her first play and song. She graduated from the Academy of Our Lady in 1981. Later, she studied at Florida A&M University. In 1988, she changed her name to T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh. She felt her old last name, Walker, was linked to slavery. She wanted a name that connected to her African roots.

Keymáh's Acting Career

After college, Keymáh taught theater, dance, and mime. She also performed in many plays. She even produced and directed films.

Breaking Through on In Living Color

Keymáh was one of the original cast members of In Living Color. This was a popular sketch comedy show on Fox. She was on the show for five seasons. Keymáh played many different characters. One of her most famous was Cryssy from her own sketch, "In Black World." She also sang and danced on the show.

TV Roles After In Living Color

After In Living Color, Keymáh continued her TV career. She played Scotti Decker in On Our Own. She was also Denise Everett on The Show in 1996. She lent her voice to characters like Roz and Shavonne in Waynehead.

For four years, Keymáh was a regular on the show Cosby. She played Erica Lucas Hall, who was a flight attendant, lawyer, pastry chef, and teacher!

Becoming Raven's Mom

After Cosby, Keymáh joined the Disney Channel series That's So Raven. She played Tanya Baxter, Raven's mother, for three seasons. Her character left the show in season four. This allowed Keymáh to care for her grandmother. In 2022, it was announced that Keymáh would return as Tanya Baxter. She appeared on the That's So Raven spin-off, Raven's Home.

The Cool Crystal Show Characters

In Living Color Characters and Impressions

Keymáh was also known for her great impressions of famous people.

Stage Performances

Keymáh has performed several solo stage shows.

Don't Get Me Started!

In 2011, Keymáh debuted her solo show Don't Get Me Started!. In this show, she sang, did impressions, and talked about important topics.

T'Keyah Live!

T'Keyah Live! is a variety show that Keymáh created. She has performed it across the U.S. since 1999. Many guest performers have joined her, including Todd Bridges and Dawnn Lewis.

Some of My Best Friends

Some of My Best Friends is a play with monologues. It features different characters who are connected in some way. The show explores topics like overcoming challenges, finding love, and race relations. It first opened in Chicago in 1991 to sold-out audiences. Critics praised Keymáh's amazing ability to create believable characters. The show earned her several awards and nominations.

Personal Life and Books

Keymáh loves gardening and is a vegetarian. She is also an active member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Her brother, Major General William J. Walker, is a well-known figure.

Keymáh has written and published three books herself. These include Cycle of Love, a self-help book, and Some of My Best Friends: A Collection of Characters, which is based on her stage show. She also wrote Natural Woman / Natural Hair, a guide for natural hair care. She has also contributed essays to other books.

Legacy and Education Support

T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh has left a lasting impact. The musical artist Flyy Moon honored Keymáh's "In Black World" performance in her 2021 song "Black." There is a Keymáh Cultural Fund that helps young people attend theater shows. It also supports art groups for teens and children.

Keymáh has a theater scholarship named after her at her old university, Florida A&M University. There is also a medical scholarship in her name at Meharry Medical College.

Keymáh also worked as a substitute teacher for 4 years in Chicago. She has led workshops to help actors prepare for their careers. In 2017, she was an Artist-in-Residence at Florida A&M University. During this time, she directed a play, taught acting, and mentored students.

Film and Television Roles

Film

Television

Video games