Early Life and Education

Shalita Grant was born on August 28, 1988, in Baltimore, Maryland, and was raised in Petersburg, Virginia. She attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where she excelled in theater and was honored as a YoungArts Winner in Theater as well as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. At 17, she earned a scholarship to attend the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama. She graduated in 2010.

Breakthrough Role on NCIS: New Orleans

Grant made her first appearance as Sonja Percy in the debut season of NCIS: New Orleans in 2014. Initially cast in a recurring role as a former ATF agent turned NCIS special agent, her performance impressed producers and audiences alike. As a result, she was promoted to series regular at the beginning of the show's second season, solidifying her status as a key character within the ensemble cast.

Mercy Street and Dramatic Range

In 2016, Grant expanded her dramatic repertoire by playing Aurelia Johnson in PBS's Civil War-era miniseries Mercy Street. Her character, a formerly enslaved woman seeking autonomy amid the chaos of war, showcased Grant's ability to bring depth and humanity to historical roles. Her performance was praised for its emotional intensity and authenticity.

Additional Television Work

Beyond her regular series roles, Grant has made guest appearances on a variety of television shows. Her guest star credits include acclaimed series such as The Good Wife (2009), Bones (2005), Melissa & Joey (2010), and Battle Creek (2015). These performances illustrated her versatility across genres, from procedural dramas to lighthearted sitcoms.