Tamisha A Tyler

Theologian. Artist. Lover of People.

Tamisha A Tyler, PhD, MDiv (she/her) currently serves as Visiting Professor of Theology and Culture, and Theopoetics at Bethany Theological Seminary. A dynamic speaker and facilitator, she hosts workshops and discussion around diversity, community and art. She also works with several arts organizations and projects including Level Ground and Grunewald Guild, and teaches in the areas of Theopoetics, science fiction, theology, and womanist thought. When not working, she enjoys good food and good friends, karaoke, and travel.

Theologian.

Photo provided by Forum for Theological Exploration

Tamisha began her theological journey long before seminary. Growing up one of six in a single parent household, Tamisha would often engage in meaningful conversations with her mother, and contributes a lot of her theological questions to those experiences. As a young undergraduate student, Tamisha had a quest for knowledge, specifically around African American Culture and Literature. As she spent years serving in the church and working on her studies, she would eventually find the space to bring these two aspects of her life into conversation. Graduating with a B.A. in Black Studies and an MDiv in Worship, Theology, and the Arts, these two degrees served as foundational in her PhD journey. Tamisha’s dissertation focused on the religious themes in the work of literary genius Octavia Butler. An up and coming leader in Theology and Arts, Tamisha holds fellowships from the Cultura Institute, and is currently a PostDoc Fellow with the Louisville Institute.

“I never understood
The rhythm of things
A breath
A heartbeat
A resonance deep within
We are resurrected
Into its chambers
”

— Run, Tamisha A. Tyler

Artist.

“I’ve been writing all my life, writing is my first language.” Since elementary school, writing became an creative outlet for Tamisha. An avid reader, she would find herself lost in story. It wasn’t long before she was working to create them herself, settling on poetry as her form of expression. Tamisha’s poetry is filled with story; offering depticitions from her own life, or created to be used as metaphor. Often seen as clear, deep, and piercing to the core, her poems have been shared widely and published in CIVA and FULLER Magazines. In addition to poetry, Tamisha is also a worship leader and liturgist, with over a decade of experience in church and arts organizations. From 2016-2017 she lead the Subversive Liturgy Project as Head Liturgist, a year long project engaging liturgy as protest. She has also been a principle artist for Listen: Los Angeles, a multimedia show centering black artists and their reflections on a Post-2016 America. Known for her quick wit and charm, Tamisha has been interviewed for several podcasts, and co-hosted podcast “Why We’re Friends'“ alongside Alexander Richard. You can find her poetry and other thoughts under the BLOG section.

“Step through the threshold
Dance with those who’ve come before
Return remembered
”

— Untitled Haiku, Tamisha A. Tyler

Lover of People.

When asked why she always adds “lover of people” to her resume and bio, Tamisha responds in saying, “I want others to know that no matter what I do, loving people will always be at the center of it. Most folk can just respond by saying ‘duh!’ but I use it as a way to remind myself of who I’m doing this work for. I’m doing it for people. For my parents and siblings and family, for young women of color navigating spaces that weren’t built for them, and for those who want to make the world beautiful and just. That’s who I’m doing this for.” In doing this work, Tamisha partners with several organizations engaged in the arts and justice. Some of those organizations include Level Ground, an arts organization that seeks to inspire empathy through art, and New Story Festival held in Austin, TX. Tamisha also serves as faculty at Grunewald Guild, teaching writing and poetry courses. Her most popular course is entitled, “Writing and Telling your Cultural Story.” To invite Tamisha to join in this work via speaking, facilitating, offering a workshop or consultation, visit the CONTACT section.

“I want others to know that no matter what I do, loving people will always be at the center of it. I’m doing it for people. For my parents and siblings and family, for young women of color navigating spaces that weren’t built for them, and for those who want to make the world beautiful and just. That’s who I’m doing this for.”

— Tamisha A. Tyler