Ashley KeShawn Grayson (born 2 October) is the newest face on the self-publishing scene with her novel School of Black Love.

Ashley was born in Baltimore, Maryland, as Ashley K. Butler. In 1994, she along with her two younger brothers were placed in the Baltimore County Foster System. After being adopted in 1999, Ashley’s life began to change. Once being tested for Special Education in the 4th grade, by the time Ashley reached the 6th grade she was placed in the school’s Gifted and Talented program. Ashley soared to the top of her class, becoming Class President, President of 100 Strong Female Role Models, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho’s Rhoer Club, Baltimore County’s Talent Search and many other programs. In 2001, Ashley represented Baltimore County as its Foster Child of the Year. Ashley has also received honorary mention from the NAACP ACT-SO poetry competition.

Ashley graduated from Woodlawn High School in 2003; after which she enrolled at Morgan State University, where she studied Communications with a concentration in Radio Production. Though an honor student, Ashley was most known for her spoken word performances where she picked up the stage name Charisma. Ashley could also be heard on the school’s student run radio station WMUR with her daytime show Charisma’s Collection.

In 2006, Ashley began developing the company, 21-Inc, which was developed to help promote education, financial enrichment and positive social interests. The company included a one issue magazine and a limited edition tee shirt. ?By the time Ashley prepared for graduation she was a member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and the National Honor’s Society. She has proudly interned for ABC 2 News, Radio One’s 95.9 and 92.3 FM and TV One. Ashley has also been a proud member of Ameri-Corps where she served as a Student Tutor for Baltimore County Public Schools.

Today, Ashley Charisma is a journalist, a poet, a producer and is also an informed and passionate speaker on various community-related topics. She has written for Radio One’s magazine The Frequency, TV One’s The Daily Obama and is a writer for bmorenews.com.