Meet Kelsye Adams
Long Live GoGo Executive Director and Free DC Co-Founder
Kelsye Adams is a cultural strategist, advocate, and proud U Street Ambassador whose work embodies the TEDxUStreetSalon theme, “Remember. Reclaim. Rise. Strength is in Community” As Director of DC Vote, she leads efforts to secure full representation and self-governance for the residents of Washington, DC—advancing equity and civic power in the nation’s capital.
In a city that stands as both the symbol and the struggle of democracy, Kelsye Adams is the perfect voice to guide our conversation on leadership, legacy, and the enduring power of culture to shape change—right here on U Street, where history meets possibility.
Her Story
Advocacy is her artistry. Kelsye Adams is a force of nature—where culture meets resistance and rhythm powers revolution. Her journey into organizing ignited in 2016 as a finance intern for the Democratic Party of Virginia while attending VCU, quickly rising to become Finance Director for Governor Ralph Northam’s The Way Ahead PAC. But her path didn’t just lead to politics—it led to the pulse of a city. In 2019, Kelsye became Executive Director of Long Live GoGo, an entity that uses DC’s official music as the intersection of politics and culture, mass mobilizing residents through the power of sound. Under her leadership, Long Live GoGo has produced peaceful demonstrations powered by GoGo music, transforming the streets of DC into platforms for joy, protest, and political education. She curates community-led responses to injustice and cultivates a cultural movement rooted in rhythm.
Join us for an inspiring Fireside Chat with Kelsye Adams, Long Live GoGo Executive Director, Free DC Co-Founder, and Director of DC Vote, a fearless leader and cultural strategist who is redefining civic power and amplifying the fight for DC statehood. Known for her unapologetic voice and community-driven leadership, Kelsye reminds us that true progress begins when we stand together — remembering the legacy of those who came before us, reclaiming the power of our collective voice, and rising as one to create lasting change.
​
Through her work at the intersection of politics, equity, and empowerment, Kelsye exemplifies the strength found in community — and the unstoppable impact of unity in action. This conversation will challenge, enlighten, and inspire — a powerful reflection of what it means to Remember. Reclaim. Rise.