Kimberley Anne Minnifield Burke is a native of Roanoke, Alabama. She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio after her mother remarried when she was nine. Kimberley attended Lincoln Heights Elementary School and by the age of twelve was gang raped by three boys from her neighborhood. During her childhood she was continuously raped and physically abused. Kimberley began singing in the studio and performing in local bands as a teenager in hopes of escaping the hellish lifestyle she was living. By the age of sixteen she was a teenage unwed mother. By nineteen she was married. By the age of twenty-one Kimberley was diagnosed with Rapid Cycling Bipolar which is a hereditary disorder that affects the mood swings. While traveling and performing as a vocalist Kim began to write songs which ultimately lead to writing short stories and journal entries...After a fifteen year marriage to the guitar player of The Deele she began to play the guitar on her own. Kimberley developed the stage name “Shalon” as a way of creating an alter ego for her stage persona. After completing the Early Child Care Education program at The Atlanta Technical college in 2004 she was introduced to crack cocaine and became an addict for six years. During the years while addicted to crack Kimberley compiled writings from her experience that lead to the book “White Magic ~ Black Tragic”...the diary of a mad crackhead. During the six years of her addiction she became homeless and lived in her car. She also experienced domestic violence and was beaten with an electric cord while being threatened with a knife.... She learned to take from the trials in her life and turn challenges into victories by motivating others to make change in their lives as well. Some of the hobbies Kimberley enjoys most include reading, photography, singing, writing, sewing, making jewelry, making craft items, refl exology and herbal remedies. Kimberley generally walk a mile each morning, meditate daily and practice yoga postures. Kimberley welcomes the opportunity to appear at public events, popular stores, libraries, and colleges, to speak about her struggle to recover from addiction, and offer her book for sale. Kim says, “There’s no shame in my game... I want to talk to ANYONE who’s willing to LISTEN to what I have to say.” If you would like to schedule a speaking engagement, booksigning event, or media interview with Ms. Burke, please contact her directly by email at kim@kimberleyburke.com or by phone at 334) 863-2268.