Tamika Burgess is a writer whose work explores Black Latina identity, culture, and belonging. Born to parents who migrated from Panamá, she has always been drawn to storytelling that reflects both her personal experiences and the communities that shaped her. 

Tamika’s love for writing began early. As a child, she created detailed fiction stories that earned her top honors at her elementary school’s Young Writers Conference for three consecutive years. Though her path later led her into a career in advertising, the desire to write never left her.

After earning her Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Dominguez Hills and a Master of Strategic Communication from National University, Tamika spent six years in advertising before making a bold career shift that included moving to New York City.

The energy of New York reignited her creativity, as she fully pursued her passion for writing. What began as a picture book grew into Sincerely Sicily, her debut middle grade novel, which is loosely inspired by her life. During the ten years it took to shape the story, Tamika also created and produced Es Mi Cultura, a monthly newsletter that ran for five years and highlighted Black Latinas embracing both their African ancestry and Latina heritage. With over a thousand subscribers, it became a meaningful source of inspiration for young readers.

Today, Tamika writes middle grade novels that center identity, self-discovery, and culture. Her work has received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, been featured in various media outlets, and been included on multiple state reading lists. Her novel Danilo Was Here was named a Best Middle Grade Historical Fiction Book of 2025 by Kirkus.