KENDYL JOI was born in Dallas, Texas, and graduated from Booker T. Washington Arts Magnet as a Theater Major. She then attained her B.F.A from the University of Minnesota-Guthrie Theater Acting Training Program where she was a member of the first graduating class. She spent time in London, England at the British Dramatic Academy of Arts and the Royal National Theater honing her craft on stage. She also spent time in Cape Town, South Africa, studying Dramatic Writing. She received graduating Honors from the Vancouver Film School in British Columbia and holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology from Pepperdine University. She is in the final defense stage for her Educational Doctoral degree (Ed.D) for Curriculum and Instruction for May 2026. Education has always been a great passion for Kendyl who models after her mother, Ora Watson, Ph.D. who has been prominent and influential in the field of education for years.
When Kendyl is not acting, she is either acting as a Theater Arts Director, developing and executing her own curriculum in high school, or working in early childhood education, helping young scholars in literacy, language/communication, and mathematics. Outside of education, you can find her styling many clients' natural hair with locs and braids, and creating homemade crochet creations. She loves using all of her gifts.
Throughout Kendyl’s career on stage, she’s managed to share an IVEY award for “best emotional impact theater” in Minneapolis for a show called Sez She, where she is one of the original cast members. She’s also been acknowledged as “Best New Face” in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. She has graced the screen in shows like Life, Miami Medical, and is most known for her role as Nefertiti in TVOne's sitcom Love That Girl. She's written, produced, and performed her own one-woman show called WAKE ME UP, where she also wrote, sang, and co-produced original music titled Wake Me Up, Drink My Consciousness, Hair Blues, and Lace Front for Kids. She's also written, produced, and directed plays called GREEN JUICE and WOMAN CLOTHED WITH THE SUN for students enrolled in her former arts school, CROWNS Academy of Arts and Education, and is now a revamped CROWNS Creations, Education, and Culture Enterprise. The future is bright for Kendyl Joi as an actress, artist, educator, and business owner. She's faith-driven and determined to be an example to all people, young and old, on and off screen.
Be sure to check out her books, COMING FORTH and WAKE ME UP. Stay tuned for her new book: THE ASSISNGMENT: 40 Days of Spiritual Rehabilitation (Winter 2026) and the launching of her CROWNS Education program starting summer 2026!
Dr. Kendyl Joi is on the way!