We recently connected with Phyllis Kelly and have shared our conversation below.
Phyllis, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Managing (and being a great friend and Alpha Kappa Alpha-Soror to) Yolanda Denise King, first-born child of Rev. Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
We had multiple similar experiences with me also being a Daddy’s girl, racism encounters at an early age, and paths having initially crossed during college days, as I was assigned as an ambassador to Yolanda for my college’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority “Founder’s Day” event where she was the honorary guest speaker. Who would imagine that many years later our paths would cross again, this time relative to the entertainment industry, during an eerily reflective situation of Southern discomfort. Then, beyond those years, we embraced our final encounters, as she (via a dream from her Daddy) and Mother-Coretta Scott King chose me to manage her career (theatre, film, TV, and speaking engagements) during the last 13 years of her life.
Phyllis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My career has been multifaceted and quite dynamic. I have numerous years of highly acclaimed experiences as a Producer, Director, Narrator, International Storyteller, Actress, Dialogue Coach, Casting Executive, Marketing Advisor, Cancer Advocate, and Civil Rights Activist.
More recently, my career focus has been impelled to accentuate professional performances as a Narrator and Storyteller.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I truly enjoy the aspect of connecting with the audience; knowing when I quickly have them engaged in the story and characters that I perform. It’s especially rewarding to see the glow on their face and the gleam in their eyes as I manage to touch their lives, enlightening, and potentially effect personal change. I enjoy the ability to enable others to be free and transition with me into the world of my characters.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
After so many years of rewarding educational and professional entertainment industry growth, investment in furthering the entertainment careers of others, and continuing to conquer and fight medical challenges, I am finally evolving into personal priority on successful entertainment performances by me to express and share with the world, as my Mom recently requested (before her passing) that I focus on my God-given talents.
Contact Info:
- Other: [email protected]
