Prior to teaching at John Jay, Professor Kelly taught at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and Brooklyn College in the English and Africana Studies departments, respectively.  Professor Kelly works for Pace University full-time, where she is the External Relations Manager for the Office of Communications and External Relations, within the Lubin School of Business.  She also teaches a University Community course at Pace and serves as an advisor to freshmen students.  Professor Kelly also presents on topics ranging from diversity to the black presence in colonial New York.  Additionally, she has appeared in a short film, entitled Say It Loud, about race and privilege.  Professor Kelly’s research interests include Harlem Renaissance writers, African American Folklore, diversity, and African American (antebellum period) history.