About CMT
Tessie McCoy was born in Sumter, SC and began writing at the age of 13 after the unexpected loss of her mother, using poetry as a way to cope with her grief. After more than a decade of writing in silence, she finally began sharing her gifts with the world. She has performed in South Carolina’s Def Poetry Slam as well as at various venues across the east and west coasts.
After years of running from her voice, Tessie found the courage to embrace her calling, confront past traumas, and begin the path to true healing. Out of that healing journey came True Opportunities of Greatness, a movement and creative platform rooted in the belief that her voice (and every voice) matters.
In 2018 she released her first book of poetry, Wilderness. Her second collection, I Used to Wanna Be Somebody, is set to be released in Fall 2025.
In addition to poetry, Tessie is a screenwriter and filmmaker with multiple TV and film scripts under her belt. Her debut short film, Cracks in the Foundation, screened at festivals across the country and earned awards including Best Direction and Best Original Screenwriting.
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The 2023 Black Love YOU Retreat was a reminder: community is where we find our power. Here’s what I discovered…
BEHIND THIS MIC IS MY HOME AND I LOVE THIS PLACE DEARLY
