Lamison began her career as an actor, performing in various theaters in Washington, D.C., and New York City.[7][8] Her film and television credits include producing and starring in the feature film "Last Life," and serving as a writer and supervising producer for the television series "Monogamy,".[9]
Lamison's first screenplay, "The Jar By The Door," was a Sundance Finalist and won the Gordon Parks Indie Film Award. She has received several fellowships and awards, including the ABC/Walt Disney Screenwriting Fellowship, the CBS Director’s Initiative, and the Guy Hanks and Marvin Miller Fellowship.[10][11]
In 2006, Lamison founded the Make A Film Foundation (MAFF),[12][13] a nonprofit organization that grants film wishes to children with serious or life-threatening medical conditions by teaming them with noted actors, writers, and directors to create short film legacies.[14][15] MAFF has produced over 100 short films through its Short Narrative Program and Vidz 4 Kidz Short Documentary Program.[16][17]
In 2024, Lamison wrote and directed the coming-of-age short drama film Superman Doesn't Steal. Released on January 10, 2024, the film quickly earned critical praise for its storytelling and emotional depth.[19][20]
Inspired by true events, the film explores themes of Black ownership and takes place during the tragic era of the 1970s Atlanta child murders.[21] It resonated deeply with audiences and made its way to several film festivals,[22] including the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Tallahassee Film Festival.[23]
In 2024, Superman Doesn't Steal received multiple nominations and won seven awards. It was also honored with the Outstanding Short Form award at the 56th NAACP Image Awards, held in 2025.[4]
Advocacy and leadership
Lamison served as the Executive Director of the Commercial Directors Diversity Program (CDDP), a diversity and inclusion program under the Directors Guild of America (DGA) and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers (AICP). She is also the Senior Vice President of Development & Production at PhilmCo, a company focused on art advocacy and commerce.[17]
Controversy
Allegations against Vincent Cirrincione
In February 2018, Tamika Lamison publicly accused Hollywood talent manager Vincent Cirrincione of sexual misconduct.[24] She alleged that in 1996, at the age of 27, she met Cirrincione at a Tony Awards dinner. He invited her to his hotel suite for an audition, during which he took a phone call from Halle Berry and put it on speakerphone.[25][26] Lamison claimed that while she was performing a poem, Cirrincione grabbed and kissed her, then propositioned her by stating he would represent her if she agreed to have sex with him whenever he wanted. She rejected his advances and left the suite.[27]
Lamison was among nine women, predominantly women of color, who accused Cirrincione of sexual harassment.[28][29] These allegations highlighted a pattern of behavior where Cirrincione allegedly exploited his position to proposition aspiring actresses. Following the public accusations, Cirrincione denied any non-consensual acts but acknowledged pursuing sexual relationships with clients. He subsequently closed his management company, Vincent Cirrincione Associates.[30][31]
Miss Black Virginia Pageant Concerns
In the early 1990s, Lamison, who held the title of Miss Black Virginia 1990, voiced concerns about the management of the pageant. She reported being frequently asked to solicit funds for the organization without transparency on how the money was used. Lamison also stated that two years after winning, she had not received the full prize money promised. She took action by sending numerous complaint letters to businesses, seeking accountability from the pageant organizers.[32]
Lamison has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Trailblazer Award from the Baron Jay Foundation. Her original pilot "B.E.E.S." was a finalist for the Producers Guild of America's Power of Diversity Workshop.
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