Keshia

Knight-Pulliam

Keshia Knight Pulliam is the youngest person to ever be nominated for an Emmy Award and decades after making her debut in entertainment continues to be among the most loved and respected actresses in the business.

Beginning her career in New York City across the bridge from her native New Jersey at 9 months old, Keshia appeared in a national print ad for Johnson & Johnson Baby products. She worked continuously on both the small and big screen having several commercials, television shows and even a feature film “The Last Dragon” on her resume before the age of 5 years old.

At 5 years old, Keshia was cast as the iconic Rudy Huxtable on the groundbreaking Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning television show “The Cosby Show”. Keshia received an Emmy nomination, won several NAACP Image Awards & Young Artist Awards, a People’s Choice Award and Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award for her work as Rudy. In addition during the 8 years run of “The Cosby Show”, Keshia starred in several TV movies, including, “The Little Match Girl”, “A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court” and “Polly”. Once “The Cosby Show” ended and after more than a decade in front of the camera Keshia decided to turn her focus toward education.

Keshia graduated with honors from Spelman College in 2001 with a B.A. in Sociology and a concentration in Film. While at Spelman her entrepreneurial spirit grew in addition to her love for political activism and philanthropy. As both a Bonner Scholar and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Keshia became very active as an advocate for underserved communities. 

Upon graduation from Spelman College, Keshia continued acting and returned to the big screen in “Beauty Shop”, alongside Queen Latifah. Keshia also starred in Tyler Perry’s award-winning show “House of Payne” as Miranda for 5 seasons. Keshia won 4 NAACP Image Awards for work as Miranda Payne.

In 2009, Keshia starred alongside Tyler Perry and Academy Award winner Viola Davis in “Madea Goes to Jail” as Candace. “Madea Goes to Jail” is Tyler Perry’s highest grossing movie to date earning over $90 million.

Recognizing her tremendous blessings spanning decades in the entertainment business, in 2010 Keshia started her non-profit The Kamp Kizzy Foundation. Using her background in sociology Keshia has created a free mentorship camp for youth ages 11-16 in her current home of Atlanta, GA. Kamp Kizzy attracts kids from around the country. To date Keshia has received countless awards and recognitions for her work in the community. This summer we are celebrating Kamp Kizzy’s 10 year anniversary.

In 2016, Keshia expanded her brand and launched her weekly podcast Kandidly Keshia and spice line Keshia’s Kitchen. Kandidly Keshia went on to air 100 plus episodes of candid conversation, current events and celebrity guests.

Additionally, Keshia and business partner Arian Simone have just launched The Fearless Fund. The Fearless Fund is a $5 million Venture Capital Fund investing in businesses founded by women of color. It is the first Venture Capital Fund for women of color by women of color.

After decades of work and tremendous success in entertainment, philanthropy and business Keshia has added her greatest achievement, becoming mom to Ella Grace in 2017. However, motherhood has not slowed Keshia down. Most recently Keshia has starred in several TV movies for Lifetime including, Radio Christmas, Pride and Prejudice Atlanta, The Set Up, and My Brother’s Keeper.