Meet akili
Akili Kelly, AIA is a licensed architect, urban planner, and co-founder of The Kelly Factory, a family-owned firm based in Jackson, Mississippi. He is licensed to practice architecture in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, bringing a multi-state perspective to his work across the Gulf South.
Raised in the construction industry through his father's company, Akili developed an early, hands-on understanding of how buildings come together, from concept to completion. That foundation still shapes his approach today, blending practical construction knowledge with thoughtful design.
Akili holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Southern University and A&M College and a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning from Jackson State University. His professional work spans historic preservation, zoning and land use, and project management across both public and private sectors, allowing him to lead projects from early concept through construction.
Through his work, Akili is committed to creating spaces that are functional, contextually grounded, and reflective of the communities they serve.
Connect with Akili on LinkedIn for his full professional background.
Meet ASHLEE
Ashlee Kelly, Ph.D. is an urban planner, urbanist, and community advocate, and the co-founder and principal of The Kelly Factory, a family-owned architecture and urban planning firm based in Jackson, Mississippi. Her work is community-driven and culturally rooted, grounded in a deep love for neighborhoods and the cities they build.
Shaped by her New Orleans roots and a deep curiosity about how communities reinvent themselves, Ashlee approaches planning as both a technical discipline and a relational one, always centered on improving quality of life for all residents. Before co-founding The Kelly Factory, she spent several years inside city government, focused on environmental planning, minority business development, and writing policy.
Dr. Kelly holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration, a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, and a Bachelor of Political Science, all from Jackson State University. At The Kelly Factory, her work spans participatory design, community engagement, feasibility studies, and proposal writing, allowing her to lead planning processes from early visioning through implementation. She is a member of the American Planning Association, serves as Board President of the Jackson Association of Neighborhoods, and as City Cohort Lead for Civic Nation's Change Collective.
Through her work, Ashlee is committed to elevating underrepresented voices and reimagining community power.
Connect with Ashlee on LinkedIn for her full professional background.