How Tabitha Brown created a safe space for children with Tab Time
May 08, 2026 [[read-time]] minute read
In the world of children’s television, there are entertainers, and then there are visionaries. Tabitha Brown is firmly the latter. With three historic Emmy wins for her YouTube series Tab Time, Tabitha has effectively bridged the gap between digital-first content and industry-recognized prestige.
Fresh off her win, she joins us to discuss the intentionality of her craft, the rerouting of her career and the quiet responsibility of being a safe space for the child in all of us.
Tab, congrats on winning three Emmys! What does this moment signify for you?
Tabitha: It is mind-blowing. I always had this dream of being "America’s Mom"—like Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show. I wanted to be a sitcom mom, and I never thought that just being myself would bring me success. For many years, I covered my true self because I didn’t think she was enough. I was always trying to fit into the Hollywood equation. The moment I let that go and decided to be who God created me to be—to just be Tab—that’s when life started to change.
As I said in my acceptance speech, being a safe place for children is a high achievement. It’s a special feeling to be rewarded for simply being myself and spreading love.
When did you first make the decision to start creating your own content rather than just auditioning?
Tabitha: I still audition; I still love acting. As my husband would say, I just got "rerouted." I had been very sick and was on disability for over a year. I wasn't well enough to do stand-up or audition, especially in the evenings when things got tough.
Then, I had a dream. I saw myself on a very small screen, but I was completely myself. I wasn’t covering my accent; my hair was in a short little afro instead of the long, straight hair I wore to try to fit in. I heard a voice say, "Start doing videos." My first thought was, "Oh no, honey, I’m a trained actress. We don’t do videos." But I remembered a prayer I made in the bathroom during my sickness: God, if you heal me, you can have me. So, despite being afraid that people wouldn't take me seriously as an actor, I started.
I started doing content in July 2017 and went viral on December 31, 2017, eating a TTLA sandwich from Whole Foods in my car. By January 4th, Whole Foods offered me a brand ambassadorship. That was the moment I realized, "Wait, people do this for a living?" It gave me flexibility and a new way of looking at life.
What was it like translating your organic personality into a scripted show format for kids?
Tabitha: Because I am who I am, all that changed was the content. I am still Tabitha Brown; I’m just "Ms. Tab." We make sure to slow it down so children understand and feel heard and seen. Honestly, I’m often speaking to the child inside of all of us adults too—the little person living inside us who was once hurt or joyful.
Why is creating a “safe space” so central to the show?
Tabitha: As a mom and as someone who was once a child, I know we can lose sight of patience. The world moves very fast. Parents might say, "Not right now" or "Be quiet." Creating a safe space means we can listen right now. Your feelings are valid, and they are yours. The world isn't always a nice place, so if we can create a space that feels joyful and happy, kids deserve that. It’s a privilege to be a person that people trust to do that.
What intentional design choices did you make to help children feel comfortable and emotionally secure while watching?
Tabitha: Color, color, color! I wanted Ms. Tab’s space to be vibrant. The kitchen and the craft area are full of color because color feels happy to kids. Another intentional choice—as small as it seems—was wearing the same dress every day. A constant makes us feel comfortable. It’s like Mr. Rogers and his cardigans; those little things go a long way.
You’ve had incredible guests. How do you choose them, and is there one interaction that stayed with you?
Tabitha: We create a wishlist and go from there. I’ve had so much fun with all of them, but Cynthia Erivo stands out. She’s a friend and an amazing talent. She wears these long nails, and we had an episode about how music makes us feel. She just started making music with her nails: it was pure improv, and we were blown away. To this day, when I want to feel happy, I’ll make a little music with my nails for a few minutes.
If a child only ever watches one episode of Tab Time, what is the one truth you hope they carry with them?
Tabitha: That you can feel multiple things at once. In the show, "Lovey the Little Heart" represents my emotions; when she turns into a rainbow, it means you can be happy but also a little bit sad or confused. Your feelings matter, and the biggest thing is taking time with yourself to figure out why you feel the way you do.