Kelly Hurst

Kelly Hurst is a national organizer for Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training and program coordinator for Springfield Coalition on Dismantling Racism. She joins the Lodestar team as a Justice-Equity-Diversity-Inclusion master facilitator, and brings an unparalleled passion for her work. Her facilitation style invites courageous conversations, and her humor and willingness to dive into both institutional history and aspirational vision have made Kelly much-sought in both the public and private sector.

Dr. K approached Kelly in 2018 with the idea that JEDI facilitation and anti-racism work might be enhanced by the application of a trauma-informed and trauma-responsive lens. The two collaborated on the creation of a "trauma-informed container" which is now foundational for all the work in which they engage.

Kelly also serves as a clinical educator, education liaison and the Equity and Inclusion Strategist for Southern Illinois University’s School of Medicine. In this role she works to develop curricular experiences for medical students, resident physicians, and attending physicians around anti-racism and anti-racism strategies. Kelly is currently a doctoral candidate, pursuing her Ed.D in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt. She holds a BS in English Literature and Afro American Studies and M.Ed from Illinois State University. She spent her early career in public education, teaching and serving in leadership roles as guidance dean, literacy coach,10 years as an assistant principal, department chair, and working in faculty development and inter-school professional development and training.

In 2014, Kelly left education to expand the scope and scale of antiracism community work in Springfield, IL. An activist, speaker, writer and storyteller, Kelly’s life's work has focused on justice in education. She is Executive Director of Being Black at School, an advocacy non-profit she founded that works on education equity policies at the state and local level.

A proud south side Chicago native, Kelly has lived in Springfield, IL for 27 years. She and her spouse have six adult children and enjoy five grandchildren.