Since Kelly served as the 1989 Miss Black Iowa USA, she has had a successful and rewarding career as a corporate executive, news journalist, and civic volunteer.

After moving to Atlanta and becoming a journalist for CAU-TV, Kelly received her MBA in Finance from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta. Upon graduation Kelly opened the Atlanta offices of the management consulting firm The Innovations Group, working with stellar clients like The Atlanta Braves and the government for the Virgin Islands. Kelly's strong commitment to our youth resulted in her involvement with Arnold Swarzenegger’s Inner City Games Foundation of Greater Atlanta and The Junior Broadcast Apprenticeship Program of Atlanta. Kelly's accomplishments were noticed by Ebony Magazine, who recognized her as one of their "30 Leaders of the Future." 

Kelly currently lives in the Chicago Metropolitan Area and serves as an executive with Dominick's Foods, managing their Corporate Giving Program.