Ingrid Centurion interviews, Tamara Johnson-Shealey shares her unconventional journey from the beauty industry into politics and the hard lessons she learned along the way. A longtime nail technician, Tamara spent years working in the beauty industry, where safety, sanitation, and professional standards are critical. She explains how the industry is highly regulated due to the risk of disease transmission and why maintaining its reputation and integrity has always mattered deeply to her.

Tamara’s entry into politics was not planned—it was driven by necessity. Feeling compelled to protect her peers and fight for working people, she stepped into the political arena in 2014. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she saw what she describes as government overreach threatening the livelihoods of small business owners, especially those in the beauty industry. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she saw what she describes as government overreach threatening the livelihoods of small business owners, especially those in the beauty industry. Feeling compelled to protect her peers and fight for working people, she stepped into the political arena.

She ran for political office in Georgia five times as a Democrat, on her fourth race she competed in a crowded race of 21 candidates. Despite earning over 100,000 votes, Tamara was not selected as the party’s chosen candidate. She speaks openly about her experience of feeling silenced by the party and how those campaigns exposed her to the realities of political systems, power, and gatekeeping.

Throughout the interview, Tamara reflects on how her background shaped her beliefs. As a descendant of enslaved people, she strongly believes in reparations and is actively working toward solutions that would allow families who can prove their lineage to receive compensation. She also expresses frustration with what she sees as widespread misuse and abuse of government funds, emphasizing the need for accountability and fairness.

While rooted in advocacy for reparations and small businesses, Tamara also identifies as an America First Democrat, underscoring her belief that government should prioritize its people, protect workers, and support honest entrepreneurship. Her story is one of resilience, civic engagement, and a willingness to challenge systems in order to fight for everyday Americans.