1979–2007: Early years and career beginnings

Brown was born in Eden, North Carolina.^[8][12] Raised in Stoneville, she grew up in Eden.^[10] She began studying fashion design at Miami International University of Art & Design, but dropped out at age 19 and moved to Laguna Niguel, California.^[13] After struggling financially, she returned to North Carolina, this time moving to Greensboro, where she lived for five years.^[13][12][14]

In 2002, Brown got a job as the co-host of a local late-night show, where she interviewed celebrities who performed at Greensboro Coliseum Complex.^[13] In 2004, with husband in tow, she moved back to Los Angeles where she tried stand-up comedy.^[8] After failing to land as a TV actress, Brown spent five years working at a Macy's in Century City.^[15][8] Six months after the move to California, Brown began traveling between North Carolina and Los Angeles to care for her mother who had developed ALS.^[13]

2008–2016: Acting and performance hiatus

Brown had spent three years taking care of her mother.^[10] Following her mother's death in 2007,^[16] Brown began her career acting small roles in several indie films and direct-to-video films.^[13][17] Brown subsequently developed chronic pain and fatigue and could not work for a year.^[13] Brown was introduced to veganism after her daughter had suggested adopting it to help with her recovery.^[13][18]

Social media breakthrough

In late 2017, Brown was running out of disability insurance funds, which led to her becoming an Uber driver in October 2017,^[10] in order to make ends meet as a "struggling"^[19] part-time actress.^[16] Her video review from December 2017 of a Whole Foods Market vegan BLT sandwich went viral, after which the company hired her as a brand ambassador to travel the country.^[10][16] In early March 2020, she created a TikTok account on which she began sharing vegan recipes, cooking tips, family moments, and encouraging advice, amassing 2 million followers in the space of five weeks.^[8][9] Brown had also been broadcasting live cooking shows and product reviews on Facebook live since early 2018.^[20][21]

TV and publishing

In late April 2020, Brown was signed to Creative Artists Agency.^[22] In late June 2020, she began hosting All Love on Ellen Digital Network.^[21][23] In 2021, Brown hosted the YouTube Original children's show Tab Time.^[24] The same year, she launched a hair care line named "Donna's Recipe" after her name for her afro,^[25] and she published her first book, Feeding the Soul (because it's my business): Finding Our Way to Joy, Love and Freedom, which became No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list.^[26] In 2022, she launched a clothing collection with Target Corporation^[27] and appeared on Good Morning America.^[28]

In 2022, William Morrow published Brown's debut cookbook Cooking from the Spirit: Easy, Delicious, and Joyful Plant-Based Inspirations.^[29] VegNews listed it as one of the "Top 100 Vegan Cookbooks of All Time" in 2024.^[30] It was featured on NPR^[31] and Good Morning America.^[32] Essence magazine reported Brown went on a two-week book tour that ended with a final appearance at the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles.^[33] Journalist Avery Yale Kamila listed Cooking from the Spirit on her list of the best vegan cookbooks of 2022.^[34] DeAnna Taylor of Ebony magazine listed the book on her list of 7 cookbooks to leave Thanksgiving guests wanting more.^[35] Oprah Daily listed the book as number 8 on its 2022 list of "16 Books to Gift Your Favorite Bibliophiles."^[36] In 2023, USA Today listed the book's peach cobbler recipe on a list of egg-free recipes to try as egg prices rise.^[37]

In 2022, the Food Network hired Tabitha Brown to host and executive produce the network’s first plant-based cooking competition series, It's CompliPlated.^[38] The show premiered August 11^th at 10 p.m.^[39] After the show debuted, it was moved from its primetime spot to a daytime slot.^[40]

Brown's YouTube show Tab Time was nominated for two categories in the inaugural Children's and Family Emmy Awards, Outstanding Preschool Series and Outstanding Host.^[41] The following year, Brown was once again nominated for the Outstanding Host category and later won.^[42]

Film

As Writer

As Actress

Television

Psychic on The Conner Sept 22nd, 2021