Kayla Kelly

Kayla Kelly (they/them) is a DC-based grassroots organizer originally from Hartford, Connecticut. In the fall semester of their freshman year of college, Kayla had founded Heal Da Homies, a multi-racial, mutual aid organization based in DC. The organization was created to meet the needs of marginalized communities that are victims of systemic racism and intergenerational oppression due to food insecurity, housing, and gentrification. Heal Da Homies, in its two years of operation, has performed direct action to benefit DC residents, which included the following: organizing low-cost flea markets to clothe low-income residents, routinely distributing meals and groceries to encampments and residents, registering residents to acquire governmental benefits, and providing accessible political education to the public. Taking on a holistic approach in acquiring racial and class liberation, the organization has been involved in providing clinical care, hosting drug overdose trainings, self-defense classes, drafting policy proposals based on the needs of the community, and being part of a community emergency response network. They’ve organized numerous on-campus protests, formulated a partnership with the American University Antiracist Research & Policy, and recently presented their work in empowering Black D.C. residents  to members of the United Nations at the UN Permanent Forum of People of African Descent roundtable.