Xosha Roquemore ( ; born December 11, 1984) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Jo Ann in Precious and Tamra in The Mindy Project.
Early life and education Roquemore was born in in Los Angeles. She has stated that her father learned of the existence of the Xhosa people of South Africa while directing a play about Shaka Zulu and "liked the look of [the name], but switched the h and o to make it easier [to pronounce]."
Roquemore began acting when she joined The Amazing Grace Conservatory, in ninth grade. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York City and graduated from the Tisch program at New York University.
Career Roquemore starred in her first major film as Jo Ann in Precious. In 2013, she was cast in a recurring role on Kirstie, based on her work in the series pilot. Her role, however, was recast after she was added as a series regular to The Mindy Project after a three-episode guest star stint.
Personal life Roquemore was in a relationship with actor LaKeith Stanfield in August 2015. In March 2017, the couple announced Roquemore's pregnancy. Roquemore and Stanfield broke up after the birth of their daughter.
Roquemore's father was director Cliff Roquemore. Menage, The Stage Play, at Onstage411.com; published 2019; retrieved December 30, 2025; "Rokki Roquemore (...) son of the late, great Writer/Director Cliff Roquemore (...) Sister, Actress Xosha Roquemore, is in hit film (...)
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2008 Shades of Brooklyn Vol. 1 Allison Short 2009 Precious Jo Ann Rivers Wash Over Me Racine Buchanan 2011 Identical Mark's Receptionist I Can Smoke? Shirley Short 2012 Price Check Donna 2013 Let Clay Be Clay TaDenise G.B.F. Caprice Winters The Butler Foxy 2014 Human Code: Emotions/Society Herself Short Patton Oswalt Confronts His Haters Herself Short 2016 9 Rides Hipster Woman 2017 All Nighter Megan The Disaster Artist Actress #3 2018 Mississippi Requiem Young Tabitha Brian Banks Kennisha Rice A Rose for Emily Young Tabitha Short 2021 Space Jam: A New Legacy Shanice James 2022 Who Invited Charlie? Emma 2023 First Time Female Director Star Family Switch Carrie 2025 Captain America: Brave New World Leila Taylor
Television Year Title Role Notes 2008 Viralcom Showgirl #1 Episode: "You Got Yourself 30 Seconds" 2010 Nurse Jackie City Island Clerk Episode: "Comfort Food" 10 Things I Hate About You Baby Episode: "Don't Trust Me" Law & Order: Criminal Intent Trina Smith Episode: "Inhumane Society" My Boys Tracee Episode: "The NTO" Playing With Guns Cinnamon Television film 2011 Rescue Me Jayne 2 episodes 2012 Southland Drea Episode: "Community" 2013 Kirstie Tanya Episode: "Pilot" Dumb Girls Alex Television film 2013–2017 The Mindy Project Nurse Tamra Webb Recurring cast (season 1), main cast (season 2–6); 81 episodes 2018 Roseanne Geena Williams-Conner Episode: "Go Cubs" I'm Dying Up Here Dawn Lima Recurring cast (season 2) 2019 First Wives Club Marcelle West Recurring cast (season 1) 2019–2020 Black Monday Connie Guest (season 1), recurring cast (season 2) 2019–2022 Sherman's Showcase Gladys Knight 2 episodes 2020 Cherish the Day Gently James Main cast Big Mouth Voice, episode: "A Very Special 9/11 Episode" 2021 Colin in Black & White Erica Episode: "Cornrows" Let's Get Merried Emma Television film 2022 Atlanta Xosha Episode: "Tarrare" 2023 Bob's Burgers Crazy Nails Teen Voice, episode: "These Boots Are Made for Stalking"2024The Sex Lives of College GirlsProfessor PhillipsEpisode: "Four to a Suite"2025–presentOh My God... Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable CircumstancesLadiVoice, Main cast2025–presentForeverShellyNetflix series
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