Originally published 8/30/2024
Drea Kelly, a name synonymous with resilience and empowerment, is set to take center stage in St. Louis this Saturday, August 31st, with her upcoming event, “Dance and Dialogue with Drea Kelly.” Hosted by Jpek Creative Works at the Zack Theatre, this event promises to be an inspiring evening filled with movement, conversation, and transformation.
As a renowned dancer and choreographer, entrepreneur, actress, motivational speaker, and reality TV star, Drea has carved out a unique space for herself in the entertainment industry. But her journey hasn’t been without its share of challenges. Transforming the heartache and trauma of her past, particularly the marital abuse she endured from her ex-husband, celebrity singer R. Kelly, Drea has become a relentless crusader for women, using her platform to be “a voice for the voiceless.”
When asked how she found her passion for dance, Drea’s response was heartfelt: “Dance chose me. The TV show ‘Soul Train’ was on, and my dad said that when I was a baby, I had a bottle in my mouth and started dancing slightly. When the commercials came on, I was like ‘more, more,’ and I started doing that before I even learned how to walk. My mom was a dancer, her sister was a dancer, my grandmother was a dancer, so I just kind of feel that it was in my DNA. It’s my happy place, my sacred place. It’s my gift that is a ministry that I use to empower women. It’s like air; I can’t imagine my life without dance.”
“Dance and Dialogue with Drea Kelly” will feature excerpts from the acclaimed play “Respect My Shoes,” written by Joel P.E. King and Phoenix Bell. Drea explained that the event is not just about dance but also about exploring the multifaceted emotions and experiences of women. “It’s an evolution,” she said, “You get to go on this journey about women and see how many emotions we deal with, from hormonal to life. We deal with some deep subjects, and this will also give males a perspective on how to understand and support women better.”
For Drea, dance is a holistic experience, intertwining mind, body, and spirit. She believes that true beauty shines from within, often hidden beneath layers of trauma and pain. Through dance, she helps women rediscover their inner light and reclaim their power.
Reflecting on her journey, Drea emphasized the importance of empowerment through her two mantras that she created: “I know that it’s bigger than me, and I know other women’s destinies are attached to my journey. I have to finish my journey for them to know what it looks like to get on the other side.” She added, “I have cracks, but I’m not broken. Your past pain is not a justification for your present misery.”In the end, Drea Kelly’s mission is clear: “I don’t live my life for me; I live it because I know I was born for others.” Her upcoming event in St. Louis is set to be a powerful reminder of the strength, beauty, and resilience that lies within every woman. To get tickets to this powerful monumental event, go to https://jpek.org
#Empowerment #Healing #StLouis
