Xen Martin, whose full name is often given as Xen Whaheed Martin, is the eldest son of Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin. He was born on August 8, 2001. He grew up in Los Angeles, California, around a Hollywood family but has kept a largely private life. At 25 years old in 2026, Xen is a college student with interests in zoology, animal studies, and animal conservation.

 He was diagnosed with autism as a toddler and later became connected with autism awareness work. His path includes a 2020 high school graduation, greater independence, and long-term career goals involving animals. His public story also connects with Colored My Mind, Spectrum Shield, IDD Safe, and his Zoologist Network videos on YouTube.

Early Life and Family Background

Birth, Childhood, and Upbringing

Xen Martin was born on August 8, 2001, in Los Angeles. He is an American with African-American heritage and grew up as the firstborn child in a celebrity household. His childhood unfolded around the entertainment industry, though his parents generally kept family routines separate from Hollywood events.

That private upbringing gave Xen room to build personal independence away from typical celebrity expectations. Public appearances remained only one part of his childhood.

Parents: Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin

Tisha Campbell built her acting career from the 1980s onward. Her film work was established by 1986, while House Party arrived in 1990. She later became widely known as Gina Waters on Martin.

Her credits also include School Daze and Boomerang. During the 2000s, My Wife and Kids paired her with Damon Wayans. She later appeared in Uncoupled with Neil Patrick Harris and worked on projects including LA’s Finest.

Duane Martin moved from professional basketball ambitions into acting. His career included an NBA connection before he became known for White Men Can’t Jump and Above the Rim. He later appeared in All of Us and The Inkwell. Tisha and Duane married in 1996.

Brother: Ezekiel Czar Martin

Xen has one younger brother, Ezekiel Czar Martin, often called Zeke. Ezekiel was born on September 8, 2009, creating an eight-year age gap between the brothers.

Their sibling bond has appeared in family photos and social media clips. Some family moments have involved comic books, dolphins, and playful discussions of Black culture. Tisha’s Sounds of Blackness posts included humor around references such as the Good Times theme.

Ezekiel’s school progress has also been discussed publicly. By 2023, Tisha was speaking proudly about her sons’ development. Their family has appeared in outlets including ESSENCE and People, as well as programs such as The Real and The Jennifer Hudson Show.

Parents’ Separation, Divorce, and Co-Parenting

Tisha Campbell filed for divorce from Duane Martin in February 2018 after a marriage that began in 1996. Court proceedings included disputes over property, shared finances, spousal support, and abuse allegations. The divorce became final in December 2020.

The former couple share Xen and Ezekiel. Their arrangements involved custody and costs connected with their younger son’s education and healthcare. By 2020, the family had entered a new co-parenting period after the divorce settlement.

Autism Diagnosis and Early Development

Early Signs and Diagnosis Timeline

Concerns about Xen’s development surfaced at about 18 months old. Tisha Campbell later explained that this was when autism was first brought to her attention. His official diagnosis came by 23 months.

Early signs involved speech, communication, social cues, and developmental patterns. His family consulted doctors as they worked through developmental screenings and an autism diagnosis. Autism spectrum disorder can affect communication and sensory responses differently in each person, so Xen’s progress followed an individual path.

Speech Therapy, Early Intervention, and Developmental Progress

Early intervention became a major part of Xen’s childhood. His support included speech therapy, while his family worked on communication skills and social interaction. Tisha has also remained connected with the Los Angeles Speech and Language Therapy Center.

Over time, Xen moved from limited speech toward holding conversations. Everyday skills and greater independence became part of that developmental progress. His story has often been connected with the value of early support rather than the idea that autistic people need to be “fixed.”

Education, Independence, and Academic Development

School Years and Mainstream Education

Xen attended mainstream school settings and learned alongside neurotypical peers. His education placed emphasis on communication, classroom participation, and independence rather than separating academic goals from his developmental needs.

By his later school years, public speaking and stronger communication had become part of his progress. Tisha also spoke publicly about his grades and ability to manage increasingly independent responsibilities.

High School Graduation and Academic Milestones

Xen graduated from high school in 2020. Both parents celebrated the milestone, and his graduation marked his move toward college.

Around that period, Tisha said he had earned strong grades and stayed on the dean’s list. She also described his acceptance to his dream college as a major step toward the future he wanted.

Independence, Work Ethic, and Early Jobs

Independence became one of Xen’s clearest goals as he entered adulthood. In 2020, Tisha said he was holding down two jobs while preparing for college.

He later obtained a driver’s license and continued developing greater self-reliance. His work ethic connected closely with his wish to build a career around animals rather than depend on family financial support.

College, Zoology, and Career Goals

College and Animal Studies

Moorpark College was identified as Xen’s planned college when he graduated from high school. His academic direction centered on zoology and animal science, reflecting an interest he had developed years earlier.

By March 2025, Tisha described Xen as a college student studying toward a future in animal studies. His higher-education plans also include advanced academic work rather than stopping with an undergraduate path.

Zoology Professor and Doctorate Aspirations

Xen’s long-term career goal is to become a professor in a field connected with animals. Tisha said in 2025 that he planned to earn a doctorate.

That goal connects zoology, animal studies, and his long-standing interest in animal conservation. A PhD remains part of his stated career plan rather than a degree he has already completed.

Zoo Work, Rescue Animals, and Hands-On Experience

Xen’s interest in animals extends beyond classroom study. His earlier career plans focused on becoming an animal conservationist, and animal-related work has remained central to his professional direction.

Zoo visits also played a role in his early educational videos. They gave him a way to connect wildlife knowledge with hands-on learning and public communication.

Autism Advocacy and Public Impact

Colored My Mind and Autism Awareness

Tisha Campbell co-founded Colored My Mind with four other mothers of autistic children. In 2011, the group developed advocacy work aimed at helping families understand autism and find useful resources.

The organization produced the short documentary Colored My Mind. Its work gave added attention to delayed diagnosis and healthcare gaps affecting Black and Hispanic communities. The film later received recognition at the American Pavilion at Cannes.

Tisha also created the children’s book My Brother Doesn’t Want to Play around a sibling’s perspective on autism. Colored My Mind later expanded its work around family resources, early intervention, healthcare access, and public policy. HarperCollins credits the organization with congressional advocacy related to autism legislation and funding for communities of color.

Spectrum Shield and IDD Safe

Spectrum Shield grew from work involving Tisha’s brother, retired police lieutenant Stan Campbell. The program trains autistic young adults in safer interactions with law enforcement while teaching officers about autism-related behaviors.

Training covers police encounters, de-escalation, communication, and personal safety. Xen participated in Spectrum Shield and later discussed how the training helped him respond with greater confidence.

Stan Campbell later became co-founder and president of IDD Safe. The organization works with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities and provides safety education for encounters with police.

2026 Updates and What Xen Martin Is Doing Now

Xen Martin at Age 25

Xen Martin turned 25 on August 8, 2026. His most recently documented path centers on college, animal studies, growing independence, and plans for advanced education.

His public profile remains closely tied to family support, autism advocacy, animals, and long-term career goals.

Current Education, Career Status, and Employment

The latest strong public update described Xen as a college student. His studies are aimed at becoming a professor of animal studies, with a doctorate as his goal.

His earlier experience included two jobs and a growing level of independence. Zoology, animal science, conservation, and animal-related professional experience remain the clearest themes in his career direction.

Tisha Campbell’s The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love

Tisha Campbell’s memoir The A Word: A Mother’s Journey Through Autism and Love is scheduled for September 15, 2026. Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins, is publishing the book.

The memoir centers on motherhood and Xen’s autism journey. It covers his childhood, diagnosis, therapies, schools, family experiences, and social misconceptions about autism. It also continues Tisha’s long-running advocacy around acceptance and family support.

Xen and Tisha Campbell at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival

Xen joined Tisha Campbell at the 2026 ESSENCE Festival of Culture in July 2026. Their public appearance focused on The A Word and the family experience behind the memoir.

Xen took part in the discussion rather than appearing only as the subject of his mother’s story. The conversation addressed autism, advocacy, acceptance, and lessons from their mother-son relationship.

YouTube, Social Media, and Public Appearances

Zoologist Network YouTube Channel

Xen began posting YouTube material in 2016. His Zoologist Network videos mixed animal facts with his interest in wildlife and popular entertainment.

Topics included animals such as dolphins, gorillas, spiders, felines, and birds. He also showed an interest in Marvel, DC, comics, and visits connected with places such as Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The channel remains an early example of Xen combining zoology with creative content.

Instagram and Social Media Presence

Xen has appeared on Instagram through family posts and his own online activity. The handle @xenthemarvellegend has been linked with him in biographical coverage.

His social media presence remains limited compared with his parents. Most public material centers on family appearances, animal interests, education, and occasional videos rather than constant celebrity posting.

Red Carpet Events and Other Public Appearances

Xen has appeared with family members at public events and in social media posts. Earlier appearances included Hollywood and red carpet settings, while his 2020 high school graduation became another widely shared family milestone.

His July 2026 ESSENCE Festival appearance stands out because he spoke publicly about a project centered on his own life experience.

Hobbies, Interests, and Personal Life

Animals, Comics, Movies, Sports, and Outdoor Interests

Animals have remained Xen’s most consistent public interest. His Zoologist Network material covered wildlife and animal facts while also showing his interest in comics.

Marvel and DC were part of that creative side. Movies, games, sports, and nature-based activities have also appeared around his public life, while animal conservation remains connected with his academic direction.

Music and Creative Interests

Xen has also explored music and singing. A March 2025 social media video involving Tisha and Ezekiel showed the family joking about his musician aspirations.

His creative interests have included singing and performance alongside his stronger academic focus on animals. These activities remain personal interests rather than an established music career.

What Is Publicly Known and What Remains Unverified

Girlfriend and Relationship Status

Xen Martin keeps his romantic life private. No confirmed current girlfriend or public relationship status forms a meaningful part of his public profile, and his Instagram activity centers more on family and personal interests.

Net Worth and Income Claims

Xen Martin’s personal net worth is not publicly confirmed. Figures such as $1 million, $1 million to $3 million, and $5 million are not backed by disclosed earnings, salary records, or verified personal financial information.

Height, Weight, Religion, and Other Profile Claims

Profile pages have attached figures such as 5 feet 5 inches, 164 cm, 58 kg, and 128 lbs to Xen. These measurements have not been established through a reliable public biography.

Christianity has also appeared in profile summaries, sometimes alongside references to church, Easter, Christmas, and Jesus Christ. Xen is American and comes from an African-American family, but private religious practice should not be treated as established without a direct statement.

Conclusion

Xen Martin’s public life reaches well beyond being the son of Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin. His path includes an early autism diagnosis, a 2020 high school graduation, college, growing independence, and serious goals in zoology and animal studies. His experience has also influenced advocacy through Colored My Mind, Spectrum Shield, and IDD Safe. 

At 25 in 2026, his current direction remains centered on education, animal science, and a future academic career. The A Word adds a new first-hand chapter to that story through Tisha’s account of motherhood, autism, family support, and advocacy.

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FAQs

Who is Xen Martin?

Xen Martin is the eldest son of actress Tisha Campbell and actor Duane Martin, a 25-year-old college student whose interests include zoology, animal conservation, and autism advocacy.

How old is Xen Martin?

Xen Martin was born on August 8, 2001, and turned 25 years old on August 8, 2026.

Does Xen Martin have autism?

Yes. Xen Martin is autistic; developmental concerns appeared around 18 months old, and his family later supported his progress through early intervention and speech therapy.

Who are Xen Martin’s parents?

Xen Martin’s parents are actress and singer Tisha Campbell and actor Duane Martin, who married in 1996, separated in 2018, and finalized their divorce in 2020.

Does Xen Martin have siblings?

Yes. Xen Martin has one younger brother, Ezekiel Czar Martin, also known as Zeke, who was born on September 8, 2009.

What college does Xen Martin attend?

Xen Martin planned to attend Moorpark College after high school and was still described as a college student pursuing animal studies in 2025.

What does Xen Martin do now?

As of 2026, Xen Martin is focused on college, animal studies, independence, and his goal of earning a doctorate and becoming a professor.

What is Xen Martin’s net worth?

Xen Martin’s net worth has not been publicly confirmed, so estimates such as $1 million, $1 million to $3 million, or $5 million should not be treated as verified.