Kimberly Clarice Aiken facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kimberly Aiken
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Kimberly Clarice Aiken
October 11, 1974 Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
|
| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupation | Image consultant and motivational speaker |
| Title | Miss Columbia 1993 Miss South Carolina 1993 Miss America 1994 |
| Predecessor | Leanza Cornett |
| Successor | Heather Whitestone |
| Spouse(s) |
Haven Cockerham
(m. 1998) |
| Children | 2 |
Kimberly Clarice Aiken Cockerham, born on October 11, 1974, is an American image consultant and motivational speaker. She is best known for being crowned Miss America in 1994.
Contents
Becoming Miss America
Miss South Carolina
Before becoming Miss America, Kimberly Aiken won the title of Miss Columbia. She then became Miss South Carolina in 1993. She was the first African American woman to win the Miss South Carolina title.
Miss America 1994
Kimberly Aiken was 18 years old when she won the Miss America title in 1994. She was the fifth African American woman to earn this honor. Even though she didn't win any early awards, she was chosen as one of the top 10 finalists.
During the live competition, she performed a powerful song called "Summertime" for the talent part. She also did very well in the swimsuit, evening gown, and interview sections. Kimberly used her platform to talk about the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.
After winning, Kimberly appeared on many television shows. People Magazine even named her one of the "Fifty Most Beautiful People in the World."
Education and Career
Kimberly Aiken studied at New York University. After graduating, she worked in accounting at Ernst & Young LLP, which is one of the biggest accounting firms. She also joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Today, Kimberly works as an image consultant. This means she helps people improve their professional appearance and how they present themselves. She is also a motivational speaker. For almost ten years, she has shared her experiences to inspire audiences. She talks about how she overcame challenges, including having brain surgery. She also writes a regular column for Pageantry Magazine.
Personal Life
Kimberly Aiken's parents are Valerie and Charles Aiken, from Columbia, South Carolina. She founded the HERO Foundation. In 1998, she married Haven Cockerham. They have two children together.
