Today we’d like to introduce you to Yolanda Kelly.
Hi Yolanda , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Starkville, Mississippi, in a family deeply rooted in service and community. My family were active participants in the civil rights movement, and their passion for advocacy was instilled in me from an early age. That legacy guided my academic and professional journey, leading me to earn a degree in Criminal Justice and African American Studies from the University of Mississippi. A few years after graduation, I moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, to serve as a homeless case manager for veterans during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. That experience was transformative and a driving factor in who I am today. It depended on my understanding of advocacy for myself and for the communities I served. At a time when the world felt more isolated than ever, I witnessed the power of human connection and the importance of building community. I learned that when we work to improve the lives of our neighbors, we improve our own lives as well. When budget cuts led to a program wide layoff, I did what I learned to do best – pivot. In 2022, I relocated to Memphis to accept a role as Outreach Manager at the Overton Park Shell. Today, I lead the Shell on Wheels community outreach program, continuing my commitment to service. I am passionate about creating thriving, healthy communities through community outreach. By utilizing my love for music and previous work experience I aim to use performing arts as a tool to connect and bring resources to communities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road but I will say it has been very enjoyable. After graduating from college it was extremely hard for me to find a job. It took about 2 years and my job search completely diminished my confidence when entering the job force. I ended up waitressing and bartending at a local restaurant for a while but now I realize the skills I gained while waitressing are the same skills used when serving communities. It also was not been easy leading a community outreach program in a place I had just moved to but Memphis is the kind of city that accepts you with open arms. I was able to intern here for a summer in college and knew I wanted to come back at some point so once I had the opportunity I completely immersed myself into all aspects of the community.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the Outreach Manager at Overton Park Shell, where I lead Shell on Wheels, a community outreach program dedicated to bringing OPS’s mission to life: building community through music and education and finding common ground in a diverse audience, all directly in people’s backyards. The cornerstone of Shell on Wheels is the Shell on Wheels stage. It is a half-scale replica of the Overton Park Shell that allows us to bring a fully turnkey performing arts experience—complete with integrated sound, lighting, and power—directly to wherever people are. Because of this, I am able to use the Shell on Wheels community outreach program to activate public spaces, both indoors and outdoors, to engage communities.
By fostering relationships with nonprofit organizations, creatives, lawmakers, and community stakeholders, Shell on Wheels has held 91 events and counting, reached over 27,000 people, worked with over 100 creatives, and served 24 zip codes throughout Shelby County. This was never a career path I had envisioned for myself, but I recognize the power of using creativity and the arts as a tool for community engagement and revitalization. Living and working in a city rich in culture and history is a privilege I deeply cherish. Every day, I am inspired by the people I meet, the stories they share, and the art they create. This work has been the highlight of my career. I have been able to assist with programming events like 5 Fridays of Jazz in partnership with the Memphis Library Foundation at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library and Laser Live in partnership with the Pink Palace Museum of Science and History and WYXR, as well as countless community events throughout the city like Douglass Juneteenth and South City Heritage Fest. The Shell on Wheels stage has been seen at Mempho Music Festival, on the plaza of the FedExForum for Grizzlies Pre-Game Plaza Parties, and at numerous fundraising, community, and private events. During my time with Shell on Wheels, I am most proud of our partnership with the Shelby County Department of Corrections where we took the Shell on Wheels stage behind the walls to host the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for a night of reflection and rehabilitation through music for incarcerated individuals and their familes. This event truly fulfilled our mission of making the arts accessible to every Memphian, no matter where they are.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned along my journey is the importance of community and collaboration. When I first started at the Shell a lot of people asked me how I would lead this community outreach program on my own and my answer was always I’m not. Collaboration and strategic partnership has and always will be key.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://overtonparkshell.org/shellonwheels
- Instagram: @shellonwheels901
