Tamara N. Houston is a published author, an entertainment producer, and the founder of heritage development enterprise ICON MANN. She is currently the Managing Partner of a mobile design and educational installation, the Pavilion of the African Diaspora (PoAD), which she curated alongside the luxury designer Ini Archibong.

Houston founded ICON MANN in 2014 to positively transform the dialogue and imaging of Black males within the African Diaspora through original produced content and exclusive invite-only engagement. ICON MANN cultivates a global network among the most prominent Black men to create an influencer and lifestyle pipeline in the fields of business, entertainment, politics, education, the arts, media, and technology.

Houston’s early professional work gave her insight into the power of media and the need for new perspectives. She started her career in fashion on Seventh Avenue with famed American designer Betsy Johnson before working at the William Morris Agency. After this, Houston served as Director of Film and Television for Sanctuary Music Group, where she was responsible for the company’s music crossover portfolio of multi-platinum-selling international artists.

Houston Executive Produced the documentary Versailles 73: American Runway Revolution, 28 Men of Change, A Salute to Sidney Poitier, and Associate Produced the Spike Lee-presented feature American Skin. She is also a published author. Her debut novel, Waiting For Jules, was published by Atria/Simon & Schuster.

Houston is a well-known advocate for art patronage around Black-led art and design projects. Her philanthropic appointments include serving as Arts Board Advisor to City College Center for the Arts (New York), Global Advisor to Nile Rodgers’ We Are Family Foundation, and Co-Chair of the Jenesse Center’s Achievement Circle. Previous appointments include LA Board Member of College Track, founded by Laurene Powell Jobs, and BAFTA (US) Ambassador.