Patterson was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. Her mother was 16 years old when she was born. She graduated from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and later began performing in off-Broadway productions. She made her big-screen debut in a supporting role in the 2010 romantic comedy-drama "Why Did I Get Married Too?". In 2012, she made her Broadway debut in the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of "Wit," starring Cynthia Nixon. She later appeared in off-Broadway productions of "The Luck of the Irish," "Significant Other," and "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark." In 2017, she appeared in August Wilson's play "Jitney."

In 2015, Patterson appeared in the biographical drama "Straight Outta Compton," directed by F. Gary Gray. On television, she appeared in guest roles in the series "The Good Wife," "Blue Bloods," "Elementary," and "Instinct." From 2017 to 2018, she was a series regular on the E! drama series "The Arrangement." In 2020, she played Josephine Baker in an episode of the HBO series "Lovecraft Country." In 2021, Patterson starred in the Disney+ comedy-adventure series "Turner & Hooch." The series was canceled after one season. In 2023, Patterson played civil rights leader Coretta Scott King in the biographical drama "Rustin," directed by George C. Wolfe. Later in 2023, she was cast alongside Carrie Preston in the CBS comedy-drama series "Elsbeth."