This week our prayer focus is: Kimberly Elise

Kimberly was born as Kimberly Elise Trammel in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the daughter of Erma Jean, an elementary school teacher, and Marvin Trammel, who owns an executive search firm.  She has three siblings. Kimberly studied film and acting at the University of Minnesota and earned a BA in Mass Communications. Elise's maternal descent is of the Songhai people in Mali.

For as far back as Kimberly can remember, she wanted to become an actress, and she even wrote a letter to the local newspaper's "Fix-It" column at the age of ten asking for information on how to achieve her goal.  Kimberly had already been doing stage work before the fateful letter was penned, so it was obvious to all who knew her that she was ready and capable to put in the effort needed to become a true star.

She began acting in Minneapolis professionally around the age of 20, and though she studied communications at the University of Minnesota, the prospect of becoming an actress full-time was always at the forefront of her intentions. Her dreams became a reality when a short film she had directed served as her entrance into the American Film Institute, and the experience of moving to Los Angeles and studying at the prestigious and fiercely competitive school gave Kimberly all the confidence needed to make a name for herself in Hollywood.

Shortly after making her debut in the television series In the House, Kimberly made the leap to feature films as a down-on-her-luck young mother who participates in a robbery in Set It Off.

Though Kimberly did make quite an impression with her feature debut, the film was only a moderate success, and it wasn't until receiving critical acclaim and a Cable Ace award that her career truly took off. Her remarkable performance in Beloved followed shortly thereafter. In 2000, Kimberly stepped into the lead for the made-for-television feature The Loretta Claiborne Story, playing the mentally and physically disabled athlete who made a name for herself by overcoming tremendous odds and becoming a competitor in the Special Olympics. The film provided an excellent showcase for the versatile young actress, with roles in Bait and Bojangles quickly following.

By the time she appeared in John Q as a financially strained mother whose husband's insurance won't cover their son's heart transplant, Kimberly had been singled out by many critics to be one of Hollywood's brightest young stars, and her strong performance in the film opposite Denzel Washington only helped to strengthen that sentiment.

In 2004, she would once again appear with Washington -- an actor for whom she has publicly voiced great admiration -- in the cautiously anticipated but warmly received remake The Manchurian Candidate.

Kimberly was married to Maurice Oldham from 1989 until 2005; they have two children, Ajableu Oldham and Butterfly Oldham.

There isn't any information I could find on whether Kimberly even believes in God, let alone has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In that she has worked with some Christian actors, including Tyler Perry, it is likely she has heard the good news.  One of our own chapter members, Joel, may be speaking with her about helping him with a project and this may provide another opportunity for input into her life!  Please keep Kimberly in your prayers this week with the request that she be lovingly confronted with her need for Jesus Christ.

--Heidi