Born in Holly Springs, Mississippi,[2][3] Davis attended Spelman College in Atlanta and majored in music.

She left the college one credit short of graduation, because she was not allowed to perform religious music during her senior recital.

[5] Davis' acting career began in 1988 with a supporting role in the Spike Lee comedy film School Daze.

Her early television credits include appearances on Living Single, Married... with Children, Kenan & Kel, and The PJ's.

[7] Davis married her longtime boyfriend Kerry Patton on January 11, 2017; prior to their marriage, the two had been dating since 2007.