Telana “TJ” Washington is a Richmond, VA-based lighting designer. She was born in Queens, New York, and hopes to take her work back home. She earned her B.F.A in Lighting Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and has experience in theatrical and live entertainment design. She prides herself on her inclusive, diversity-focused lighting design, having taken the time to educate herself on lighting skin tones of all shades. She blends her artistic eye and technical experience to create striking and thoughtful designs.

Her biggest dream is to become the first Black female lighting designer to win a Tony Award, and her favorite color is purple.