Birth name: Pronounce {TAN-ra} Tanyra D. Shiver, remember as a young girl, when her mother introduced her to the world of books through her local library in Joliet, IL. Looking back it seems that the spirits of the past who lived in the library and media centers called her name. As a young adult, she give a lot of credit to her teachers all now retired from 'Booker T. Washington High School and The High School For Enginerring and Professions;  {Dr. Miller} from Sam Houston State University; {Dr. James Ward} Dean of the Communication Department of Texas Southern University.

In 1993, Tj Baker graduated college with honors in her major area of study and was the first Black student to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from Texas Southern University. One of Tj's proudest accomplishments was continuing to earn good grades while managing an epilepsy related disability that affected her ability to process thoughts and write, Tj never quit. Her hard work and perseverance paid off and will continue to provide dividends for the rest of her life. In 1990, Tj also pledge `Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc at Sam Houston State.

In 1995, Tj self-published her first book “The Slumber Party for Black Girls Who Love Poetry Too.” In 2001, her second book was published. It was a short novel called “The Teachings of Miss Ellie Ruth,” about a young black girl coming of age during World War II. “The Teachings of Miss Ellie Ruth” is currently available through all online book retailers. I've been an educator for 28 years... PreK - 12th grade and ESL/ Adult Learning. If and when, I do retire, leave the classroom and transition, upon being an motivational speaker, but still being closely tied to education. I’ve already started. I was recently honored as the first Black author to speak at a Fort Bend Independent School in Houston, Texas. 220 students heard me speak. After the presentation the students hugged and thanked me. After that, I immediately knew what I wanted to do next in my career. A lover of children, Tj co-wrote a book with her young son, “Home Is Where You Catch Fallen Leaves.” Tj's current projects include several children’s books that she hopes to publish soon.