Tamearra Dyson is a second generation Bay Area native with roots tracing back to Louisiana. Growing up as the youngest of three children in a single-parent household, she experienced firsthand the hardships of food insecurity and the impact of limited financial resources on a family. Due to these circumstances, she found herself in an abusive environment when left with her father. Despite these challenges, Tamearra was driven to succeed and forge her own path. She garnered an impressive reputation at Marin General Hospital, where she dedicated nearly ten years to the surgery center’s Endoscopy unit. Her exceptional work ethic and dedication earned her respect and commendation of the physicians she closely worked with. They wholeheartedly supported her pursuit of nursing school, providing glowing letters of recommendation. Balancing the responsibilities of a single mother, day shifts, school, and being on call for emergencies during the weekend. Tamearra made the courageous decision to chase her long-held dream of becoming a successful entrepreneur. This meant leaving behind the security she had worked tirelessly to build, in order to embark on her journey with Souley Vegan. 

The work she’s done in building Souley Vegan, despite having no prior restaurant experience, got it recognized by USA Today as one of the top ten soul food restaurants in the country, underscoring the widespread acclaim for Tamearra’s cuisine. She has been featured on multiple Food Network shows, showcasing the broad appeal of her culinary creations. She made history by becoming the first vegan chef to defeat Bobby Flay, earning not only a victory but also Bobby’s profound respect and admiration. Tamearra was recognized for entrepreneurship by Black Enterprise Magazine, a testament to her entrepreneurial prowess and impact on the industry. She has been invited to speak at numerous colleges, events, and organizations, including Twitter and Tesla. She mentors girls who aspire to succeed beyond their community circumstances.