Born and raised in South Bronx, New York, Wright studied Comparative Literature at Vassar College.
She is known for her role as Phyllis Brooks on Buddies, as well as her recurring roles on 24 as Patty Brooks, NYPD Blue as Officer Maya Anderson, on True Blood as Deputy Kenya Jones, and as Crystal on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.
She also starred in the television series "Living Single" (Fox, 1993–1998), "Beverly Hills 90210" (1990–2000), and "Burke's Law" (CBS, 1994–95).
Wright authored a book titled Butterfly Rising,[8] which was released on August 5, 2012.
[2] Wright adapted the book to a screenplay, producing and directing a movie version of Butterfly Rising.