D'Atra Hicks Began singing at the tender age of four in New Bethel Way of the Cross Church of Christ where the late Bishop James H. Hicks was the founding pastor and is now under the pastoralship of Elder Percy Hicks. D'Atra got her first level of training in singing in the church choirs and soon became the soloist for the church. Ms. Hicks then went on to expand vocally in the High School of Music and Art in New York City. While attending the high school, she learned about the longest running off-Broadway show, Mama, I Want to Sing. As she viewed the play, she was totally blown away by it and went to audition. She got the part and began to travel on tour with the play, in which she was with for seven years. She went on to play the leading role of Doris Winter; the ministers headstrong teenage daughter, who sings her way out of the church choir and into big-time pop stardom. This role caught the eye of Bruce Lunval, President of Capital Records, who immediately signed her during intermission. Soon after, D'Atra released her self-titled debut album, and her first single Sweet Talk went to number four on the billboard charts, including sell-out tours in Japan for her album and Mama, I Want to Sing. A Good Man Is Hard to find was the next stepping-stone in her career, and she has also starred in Gospel Stage plays across the Country such as TD Jakes-Behind Closed Doors, Tyler Perry’s®, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion and she also starred in The Maintenance Man. D’Atra has also appeared on Bishop TD Jakes The Storm is Over Now music project singing The Storm Is Over. She understudied for the Tony Award nominated and Grammy Award winning Smokey Joe's Café which was one of the best Broadway productions of its time. She moved up into the leading role and went to London to star in the show. She has her own one-woman show that has toured to Morocco, North Africa. She has also performed in Italy, and her TV credits consist of a variety of shows such as Showtime at the Apollo, Regis and Kathy Lee, The Morning Show, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and more. During 2003-05 D'Atra produced and directed her own stage play production entitled “Crazy Love” Written by TJ Hemphill. D’Atra also just starred in the current running stage play My Sweet Potato Pie in which she co-wrote and arranged the theme song My Sweet Potato Pie and was also apart of the creative team. She can currently be seen in Tyler Perry’s® new hit Stage Play “What’s Done in the Dark.” D’Atra is a woman of versatility. In addition to her vocal and acting abilities, she is also a producer and director. She is the President and CEO of her own Production Company, “Diamond Productions”. D’Atra celebrates her most recent accomplishment as Vice President of The Urban Roundup Group, LLC. Which is a full service Network, Resource and Marketing Company. D’Atra is thankful to God for her accomplishments and she really thanks Him for her beautiful Daughter Diamond. L