Kelly Shay
Founder and Creative Director
Blessings! My name is Kelly Henriksen, also known as Kelly Shay. I have an extensive community and social services background with over two decades spent on enriching the lives of others. Since 2000, my career has been focused on the teaching of self-sufficiency skills, environmental sustainability, youth development, family and community engagement, artistic expressions, and mind/body wellness.
I began my career, right after high school, as a family advocate while also taking on consultant work empowering youth and immigrant families in South Minneapolis. I spent many years teaching and developing career-readiness training for youth and adults, where I even had the opportunity to meet Michelle and Barack Obama. I have served as a program coordinator, artist liaison, and been a founding leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within education and government systems. I walk my path humbly, with a natural love and faith in humanity, and have devoted this lifetime to creating equitable access, opportunities, and empowering experiences for others.
At the University of Minnesota where I studied art, psychology, dance and theatre arts I also became a mother while having the opportunity to study music production that led to my calling as a DJ. Seven years later, I completed my undergraduate degree in youth studies, family social science, and African American studies with a minor in theatre arts.
My background in event planning began in 2000 when a friend and I started an entertainment company which promoted and hosted DJ dance nights throughout the Twin Cities. My event planning experiences sprouted from this and also included booking performing artists and wellness practitioners for venues.
Through years in the nonprofit sector, independent contractual work, and government agencies, I have woven elements of the arts and wellness industries into everything I do. It is part of my fabric and divine purpose and what I see as a pathway to bringing us back to who we are.
