ABOUT
Dr. Kelly McKay Downing
Career Highlights
-
One of the original NYC Public Schools Parent Coordinators, helping bridge the gap between schools and families.
-
Former ELA teacher, literacy coach, college professor, and executive director. -
Interviewed President Bill Clinton in 2018 at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture as part of his student series book tour for The President is Missing (co-authored with James Patterson). -
Mentored by the late Dr. Lorraine Monroe, legendary educator and founding principal of Frederick Douglass Academy.
-
Led writing initiatives that boosted student performance by over 80%, and developed programs that support college and career readiness.
Credentials
DISSERTATION:
PERCEPTIONS OF MENTORING KINGS AND EFFECTS OF THE HOCHMAN METHOD ON HIGH SCHOOL BOYS OF COLOR
CONFERENCES:
-Philo 4 Thought Inc. Hellenic Mentoring Imitative: Promethean Fire: Mentoring Across Disciplines-5/6/23
-Long Island Philosophical Society’s Annual Conference- 4/1/2023
-St. John’s University, The School of Education, 10th Annual Leadership Symposium-3/11/2023
MEDIA/PRESS:
ABC7NY at SBI
CBS News: Harlem School’s Partnership with Non-Profit / https://youtu.be/EByG6hy-FMM
https://sunyrockland.edu/2023/01/13/rcc-and-ford-team-up-to-give-manhattan-high-school-an-opportunity/ https://patch.com/new-york/harlem/how-harlem-arts-nonprofit-continues-flourish-local-school
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
President, Board of Directors-219-229 West 144th Street HDFC Founder, Mentoring Kings, Inc.
Young Black Male Empowerment Association Steering Committee
Education
-
St. John’s University, New York, NY-Doctor of Philosophy/Literacy-2018-2023/ 2023-Outstanding Dissertation Award
-
College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY-Master of Education (SBL/SDL)/Certificate of Advanced Study, 2017
-
Fordham University, NY, NY— MST, Master of Science in Teaching/English, 2007
-
Manhattan School of Music, NY, NY— M.M, Master of Music, Jazz Voice, 2000
-
New York University, NY, NY— BA English/Music, Gallatin, 1998