Carole ‘Ife’ Kilgore Keene met fellow author and classmate William ‘Damani’ Keene within 48 hours after arriving on Howard University’s campus as a freshman. And after fifty-three years of a happy marriage, not only do they still love each other, they especially like each other. Their motto is: “Never stop honeymooning!”

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Ife was born in Knoxville, TN and raised in Camden, NJ, where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School before heading to Howard University shortly thereafter. After receiving a BA degree in Sociology, she made a drastic career change to the information technology field – a profession dominated by men in the seventies. Graduating number two from a computer programming training program, she was immediately hired by the Space Division of General Electric (GE). After leaving GE, Ife’s 20+ years of professional achievements were rewarded by repeated promotions, including Director of Business Development and Senior Vice President.

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A twice-published author, Ife continues to spend her time writing and enjoying her beautiful surroundings in the Republic of Panamá, where she and Damani have resided for the past 15+ years.

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Ife and Damani are the proud parents of three wonderful children, Khalid V. Keene, Dr. Kweli K. Carson and Malik I. Keene. They are also delighted grandparents and great-grandparents.