Keys was born in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem, in New York City. Keys graduated from the Professional Performing Arts School, a prestigious high school in Manhattan, as valedictorian at the age of sixteen. Since late 2006, Keys worked on her third studio album, As I Am. During the early 2000s, Keys made small cameos in such television series as Charmed and American Dreams. Besides being a musician, Keys is also an active philanthropist. Keys is an honorary member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.