Born in Chicago, Terra began dancing and reciting scenes from her favorite movies at the age of nine. Her outgoing spirit kept her busy performing for family members, on street corners, and wherever she could find an audience. By high school, she was playing basketball for the school, active in dance and theater, and preparing for a career in acting. "I've always wanted to perform for an audience, whether it was dancing, sports or acting. I come from long line of freethinking people-it's in my blood. My "spiritual family" of mentors and godparents also played a big role in encouraging me to develop my talents and begin a career. I never had inhibitions about pursing a career in entertainment. I was ready to take on the world," says Terra. New York was Terra's first stop after college. There honed her acting skills and became fluent in four languages: Latin, Spanish, Thai, and Armenian. She also studied various dialects, dance styles, and trained in Karate, and Tae Kwan Do-eventually earning a Black Belt. Before long she landed a national Target commercial and soon after a recurring role on the hit sitcom, Moesha. Her career drew more attention when she was cast as the lead in the critically acclaimed Project Green Light, but it was her role on the popular television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer that stole viewers' hearts. They were captured by her cute smile, tight body, and kick-ass martial arts skills. Terra has built an impressive resume that includes and a steady parade of roles in independent films, including The Awakening, Killer Zombies, The Parkers, Strong Medicine, and the lead in Endangered Species, which recently was honored as the Best Documentary at the 2006 Houston Black Film Festival. Terra played opposite Academy Award Winner Forrest Whitaker in the hit F/X hit The Shield just last year and has had a number of roles in other television series. She will soon appear in the Biggie Smalls biopic, Notorious and been cast for the forthcoming thriller, Night Wedding.
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