by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Brenda Kelly might be one of the most cultured people in town. By day, she’s the executive council assistant to City Council member Gwen Yates. At every other moment of the day, she’s a mother and grandmother, jazz singer, poet and traveler. In fact, Kelly may be the only person in City Hall who has visited every state in the country.
Kelly was engaged to William Brown, a professor at the University of North Florida and internationally-renowned opera singer. Unfortunately, Brown passed away before the two were married. However, he did make a good promise to Kelly.
“He promised to take me to all 50 states,” said Kelly.
They began in 1997 with a visit to New York and wrapped up the list a few years later in Hawaii.
“In the hotel he had tropical plants and balloons all over the place for me,” said Kelly. “When he performed in New Haven, Conn., he had me picked up in a limo. I had never ridden in a limo except for a funeral.”
The nationwide tour also included a stop at a carnival in Iowa. Kelly said the two spotted the carnival, Brown did a (dangerous) U-turn and they spent the day doing the carnival thing.
“There wasn’t another black person in sight,” said Kelly. “By the time we left, everyone was telling us good-bye and waving to us.”
Kelly’s relationship with Yates goes well-beyond the boss-employee level. In fact, Yates won’t let Kelly tell anybody she works “for” her. Yates is four months from having to step down due to term limits and Kelly is looking out for her future.
“It’s been a great, great ride and we are great friends,” said Kelly, who worked for State Rep. Terry Fields for two years and Fresh Ministries for three years before joining Yates. “She is a great stateswoman and a great mentor.”
Kelly said she’d like to stay on with one of the new members of City Council — the primary election is March 20 and there will be at least 10 new members of Council. A couple have expressed interest in having Kelly as their ECA. If not, Kelly has plenty on her to-do list.
“I like challenges and the city is changing and becoming more diverse,” she said. “A lot is happening now that wasn’t going on 10 years ago. I am going to pursue my music. It’s something I have always loved.”