I am an actress, educator, and graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where I received my master’s in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology. I am passionate about early childhood education and creatively bridging the achievement gap for low-income students through the Hairiette of Harlem Educational System, which includes books, educational curricula, and podcasts for school and home.

Tanya Wright, Ed.M

Tanya Wright, Ed.M

“I got the idea for the Hairiette of Harlem while I was walking my 12-year-old Labrador, Macarena! The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the massive inequities in education, especially as they relate to low-income children. I had an instinct for how I might be helpful, but I needed to back up my hunch with science and research. I applied to Harvard and was accepted!”

— Tanya Wright

Hairiette of Harlem won the Harvard Innovative Venture in Education (HIVE) award for the most promising early-stage venture.

Harvard Innovation Lab

I was also an Education Entrepreneurship Fellow (‘22) while at Harvard. Hairiette of Harlem was incubated in the Harvard Innovation Lab.

My professional background

I am a two-time SAG Award-winning actress (Best Ensemble) for my portrayal of Crystal Burset in Orange is the New Black and spent 7 seasons as Deputy Kenya Jones on HBO’s True Blood.

A graduate of the George School and Vassar College (Literature Major), I am the recipient of SOBRO’s “Most Innovative Business” Award. A two-time Launchbox Entrepreneurial Micro-Grant recipient, I am a Kauffman Fast Trac Entrepreneur, a Mark Taper Playwriting Fellow, and a semi-finalist in the Academy of Motion Pictures (the Oscars) prestigious Nicholl’s Screenwriting Competition. 

I have worked with some of the most prolific, successful content creators in the history of the medium via her work as an actor on shows such as “24,” “ER,” “The Good Wife” and “Madame Secretary.”

Inspiring. Fun. Poignant.

I was born to a 15-year-old mother in the South Bronx. The eldest of four children, I was a creative child whose first acting gig in elementary school was the play The Little Birch Tree, in which I starred as—wait for it—the Birch Tree! My job was to stand on stage for 45 minutes without ever uttering a single line. Since then, I have spoken at several events at elementary schools, colleges, corporations, and organizations.

Tanya Wright Talks Penn State

Tanya Talks

Speaking Engagements

  • Harvard Kennedy School (Women in Power Conference)

  • Harvard Business School

  • Harvard Club of Boston (Entrepreneurs Roundtable)

  • Harvard Graduate School of Education (Learning Design, Innovation and Technology)

  • (2 times) Speaker, Digital Hollywood: Women in Media Developing Film, A Golden Age in Hollywood

  • Keynote Speaker, Dress for Success

  • Keynote Speaker, Global Entrepreneurship Week/Penn State

  • Keynote Speaker, Muhlenberg College, “Failure Fest” for Entrepreneurs

  • The New School (taught her BLOOM worship to act, write, and direct MFA’s)

  • Kings and Queens (Gifted young men and women of color)

  • Graham Elementary School

  • Pennington Elementary School

  • Essence Music Festival

  • Talks could include a screening of Tanya’s directorial debut, New Hope

Review

“Tanya was amazing! The students had a great conversation with her that was inspiring. It was great for them to be reminded that theater is a business, too. In addition, she encouraged them to look at failure differently. Her perspective on failure is refreshing and offers hope.”

— K. Jones, Muhlenberg College