Martin was raised in Newark, New Jersey, by parents who encouraged her love for music. As a child, she could be found competing in, and winning, many singing competitions, going on to appear in such children's programs as Big Blue Marble, Kids Are People Too and Captain Kangaroo. At age 15, she traveled to London to star as one of the three singers/narrators in the film version of Little Shop of Horrors. A graduate of the Arts High School in Newark, she then moved to Hollywood, where she became a star on the hit series, Rags to Riches.

Campbell-Martin later became a member of the American Film Institute and the Writer's Boot Camp where she honed her talents. She then produced the film short, A Luv Tale, about two women who fall in love with each other. The film would go on to win many awards including the Audience Choice Award at the Black Hollywood Film Festival.

Her first main movie role was as Chiffon, one of three girl group singers in the 1986 film Little Shop of Horrors with Rick Moranis. In 1992, she received a starring role in the hit comedy series Martin as Gina Waters, but left the show in its final season after filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against Martin Lawrence.

She has also appeared in many other movies, such as Boomerang, Another 48 Hrs., School Daze, Homeward Bound II, House Party, and House Party 2, and the farcial black comedy, Sprung. She also had a guest appearance on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Her more recent work was a starring role in the comedy My Wife and Kids as Janet Kyle. In 2003, Campbell-Martin received the NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series." In 2005, She has also continued her romp of guest appearances guest starring on her husband's sit com All of Us on several occasions as, of all things, his sister and a comedic nemesis of LisaRaye's character, Neacy.

Campbell-Martin is also an accomplished vocalist, leading Be Alone Tonight for Spike Lee's School Daze. She also put out an album, Tisha, in 1993 which featured the lukewarm singles "Push" and "Love Me Down". In 1997, She and long time friend, Tichina Arnold contributed their vocal prowess to the soundtrack for the movie, Sprung( best known for Jay-Z's hit, "Who Yah Wit") remaking the Emotions' hit, "Dont Ask My Neighbor". She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, former New York Knicks player, sports agent, and fellow actor Duane Martin, and their son, Xen. She is currently writing a cookbook, as well as a novel.