SHARING THE ACCOMPLIHMENTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN NORTHERN NEVADA HISTORY
START YOUR HISTORY SEARCH FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN NORTHERN NEVADA
Sheryl "Jimi" Bufkin
Born Jimmie Sheryl Harrison in Forth Worth, Texas, this author/poet has been writing poetry since the third grade. Jimi has resided in the Reno area for over 41 years. She has two daughters and three grandsons.
Jimi’s poetry writing started with letters to God. She never shared her poetry with others until Connie Davis-Myles, a friend, let her read “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings”, by Maya Angelou. She was so inspired that she compiled a collection of her works and decided to publish her own book by the age of thirty. At the age of 56 she has now published her fifth book.
Jimi’s love affair with words and the color purple has made her one of Reno’s recognizable poets. She has recited in schools in Washoe County, the Veteran’s Hospital, University of Nevada, Reno, as well as for private banquets and community organizations. She has also taught poetry workshops.
She writes about homelessness, love not found, loneliness and love for her fellow human beings. She hopes to leave a legacy with her poetry.
She donates all her publications to local libraries, she wants everyone to be able to savor the message of her work. She writes on a regular basis. She feels it is an outlet for stress. Her way of giving back something to the world, is devoting her life to the future, young people.
The highlight of her life was opening for Maya Angelou in 1994 at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada for a crowd of over 32 hundred people.
