How Howard University Set Wendy Raquel Robinson on Path to Stardom

Wendy Raquel Robinson was born and raised in Los Angeles. But after growing up in South Central, she wanted to see what life had to offer on the East Coast.

In a new conversation with TV One interview series Uncensored, Robinson recalled experiencing culture shock when she moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Howard University. Still, the actress  she developed life-long connections at the HBCU.

“I had never been to the East Coast… and the humidity knocked me off my feet,” she shared in a clip from the episode, which premieres tonight.

The then-aspiring actress enrolled in the school’s drama department and met several future Hollywood stars.

“Those first couple of months were really, really difficult for me,” she said. While it was challenging being so far from home and dealing with a new environment, Robinson said she quickly adapted.

“I loved the Department of Drama. I was an acting major,” she explained. The program was tough and most of her classmates dropped out. But others, including Oscar-nominee Taraji P. Henson, found success and stardom.

“Coming in, I was surrounded by Anthony Anderson. Taraji was there, Paula Jai Parker (Hustle & Flow), Isaiah Washington (Grey’s Anatomy) — he was my scene partner,” she said. “Carl Payne (Martin and The Cosby Show), he was there at the height of The Cosby Show.”

Robinson said they all remain close friends, and that includes her former roommate Michelle Miller, who for years was an anchor at CBS News.

The actress said she will never forget the lessons and connections she took away from the school.

“Now cut to almost like, 20 years later, and we’re just walking in our purpose. It’s a beautiful thing,” she shared.

Robinson is best known for her role as fast-talking sports agent Tasha Mack on hit series, The Game. The sports comedy aired on UPN, and was later rebooted by both BET and Paramount+. Robinson win an NAACP Image Award for her performance on the show.

Robinson was also a series regular on The Steve Harvey Show, and had recurring roles on Insecure, Poppa’s House, The Chi and Disney Channel’s Descendants franchise. Earlier this year she had a role in the independent film Love the Skin You’re In.

You can hear more from actress Wendy Raquel Robinson tonight May 7 at 8PM/7C when the season finale of Uncensored airs on TV One.