09/28/2026
We are thankful for our dedicated and committed board members at Kifani Kids. This week, we are spotlighting Kimberly Kelly!
Kimberly Marie Kelly serves as an Instructional Coach Supervisor with Porter-Leath’s Teacher Excellence Program in Memphis, TN, where she provides impactful coaching and leadership to educators across the early childhood sector. Through her work with the Early Childhood Services Division, she supports the growth and development of early childhood professionals by promoting research-based practices that strengthen quality improvement and advance best practices in early childhood education. Her work helps bridge the achievement gap for children from low socio-economic backgrounds, placing them on a path to success in school and life. Kimberly inspires educators to lead with purpose and make lasting impacts in their classrooms and communities.
Her career milestones include her impactful contributions at Mississippi State University’s Partners for Quality Childcare and Early Years Network, where she helped develop high-quality early care and education centers across Mississippi. Kimberly’s efforts in these roles exemplify her dedication to improving the quality of education and care provided to young children. Kimberly’s educational background underscores her dedication to professional growth and excellence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from Mississippi University for Women and a Master’s in Education Management from Strayer University. She furthered her expertise by earning a Certificate in Early Education Leadership (CEEL) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Additionally, she holds endorsements from AIMHITN (Infant Mental Health of Tennessee) as an Infant Family Associate IMH-E® and an Infant and Early Childhood Family Associate IECMH-E®.
She also founded Divine Leaders Network to create a platform for nurturing leadership skills, instilling confidence, and fostering growth. Her vision is cultivating a community where individuals unlock their full potential and become catalysts for positive change. As a passionate advocate, trainer, coach, instructor, author, and education/leadership consultant, Kimberly focuses on building strong relationships with students, educators, leaders, and families, and communities, positioning herself as a transformative leader in the field.
Guided by her faith, Kimberly lives a spiritually enriched life, inspired by her favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Through her leadership and unwavering dedication, Kimberly continues to inspire educators, uplift communities, and make a lasting impact on early childhood education. Her mission-driven approach ensures her legacy as a transformative leader in education and empowerment.
