born in norfolk, virginia on may 1, 1936, kelley received a bachelor's degree from virginia state college in 1956. she went on to earn three more degrees; an m.a. in education from new york university, an m.a. in speech communication from purdue university, and a ph.d. in american studies from the university of maryland, college park. a lifelong educator, kelley has taught at coppin state university since 1973. she volunteered or served with a number of organizations, most prominently the democratic party, the national endowment for the humanities, and the baltimore urban league. kelley is a member of the union baptist church in baltimore.