Shaleka Smith was born and raised on the Northside of Chicago. Where she currently lives and is raising her daughter. She has worked in a healthcare setting for twelve years. Shaleka serves at her home church faithfully and is a preacher of the Gospel. Shaleka believes that the key to life management is finding community. Though there are moments that we must endure alone, we need to have people around us that have empathy for the trauma and triumphs life brings. Community is imperative not just for bad times but more importantly for good times. Shaleka enjoys share good laughs with those around her. “If you ain’t laughing, you ain’t living.” Though “Grief, I Didn’t Sign Up for This” is Shaleka’s inaugural book, she is determined that there are many more.