Shellone Grant was born and raised in Guyana, South America — a culturally rich Caribbean nation bordering Brazil and Venezuela, and situated just above Trinidad & Tobago. She has called New York home for several decades, but her memories of Guyana remain vivid.
For Grant, life in Guyana was vibrant and steeped in tradition, especially during celebrations like Mashramani, the country’s colorful carnival of parades, music, costume floats, and dance. “The musical landscape includes reggae, dancehall, soca, chutney, masquerade, Bomba, Tassa drumming, traditional folk dances, and calypso, which filled our streets with rhythm and joy,” Grant said
Growing up, Grant’s family played a big role in shaping her outlook. She enjoyed life with her parents, brother, sister, and extended family—uncles, aunts, cousins, and her grandmother, who lived to be 96 years old.
Grant emphasizes that her family’s love, cultural traditions, and community life gave her a deep appreciation for resilience, movement, and healing. These influences guide her as she uses dance to help others recover and celebrate life.
She is a proud wife, mother, and two-time Navy war veteran who served as a first responder during 9/11, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Middle East. One thing that might surprise others about Grant is that her passions extend beyond military and family roles: She has been a Zumba instructor since July 2013, since her struggle with PTSD from military service deeply influenced her belief in dance and movement therapy as powerful tools for mental health.
At age 2, Grant began dancing at the Guyana National School of Dance, performing at places such as the National Park, Umana Yana, Culture Center, Theatre Guild, and Sports Hall. Her teachers and dance mentors, including Linda Griffith, Phillip McClintock, and Vivienne Daniel, as well as veterans and family, have inspired her to use her talents to help others.
In addition, she also embraced authentic Caribbean dance styles growing up, which have deeply shaped her understanding of movement as a powerful healing tool.
After her military service, Grant used Zumba to heal and reconnect with herself. Through this, she became dedicated to helping others find hope, resilience, and emotional well-being through movement.
A profound act of kindness that shaped Grant’s life began with a tragic accident involving her uncle and his friend, who were both hospitalized with broken legs. During their recovery, the friend’s sister — a healthcare worker visiting from the United States—came to care for her brother and extended that same compassion to Grant’s uncle. She ensured he received the best treatment, offering unwavering support that eventually blossomed into a relationship. The two later married, and she returned to the U.S. with her new husband.
Thanks to this connection, the entire Reynolds family — children of Grant’s grandmother — were able to immigrate legally to the United States after years of patient waiting, eventually becoming citizens. This long process showed Grant firsthand the transformative power of kindness and perseverance.
Grant has also carried that spirit into her own life. One meaningful example was her involvement with “We Move To Give LLC” in 2023, after being invited to perform at a Juneteenth event on Pier 62 hosted by Friends of Waterfront Park Seattle. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “That experience demonstrated to me how movement can inspire joy, unity, and healing within communities.”
Since then, she has actively supported wellness initiatives, collaborating with organizations and using dance to foster connection and cultural pride. She currently hosts the annual “Bring the Beat to the World Live 24-hour Masterclass,” in partnership with We Move To Give LLC. According to Grant, the event promotes free fitness for all, centers mental health awareness, and has become a pinnacle platform for sharing her ongoing acts of kindness.
Another act of kindness she has been actively participating in is learning through the “Rock your Roots” course and movement led by Angel Kaba, who was born in Belgium with Congolese and Martinican roots. Kaba is now based in New York City, where she shapes the dance landscape and creates opportunities for diverse voices.
Describing Kaba’s impact on her teaching style for her dance classes, Grant explained, “Angel Kaba has profoundly influenced my approach to community acts of kindness, to be dedicated to artistic expression and cultural enrichment.”
Because of Kaba’s influence, Grant now organizes, leads, and participates in dance workshops and cultural events that promote authentic Afro’Dance styles in her community. These workshops welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, offering a space for self-expression, cultural pride, and connection.
“The individuals who have benefited the most are often veterans, seniors, women over 40 and youth, some facing emotional, physical, or mental health challenges. Many have shared that participating in these classes helped them reconnect with their bodies, reduce anxiety, and rediscover joy,” she continued.
On the impact of her work, Grant says she values being coachable and continually learning. She believes these qualities exemplify growth and resilience, which she hopes will inspire kindness within her community. She encourages everyone to remain open-minded, discover their full potential, and support one another’s development.
“The support and encouragement I received from my family, friends, and community — whether at Waterfront Park Seattle, the Seattle Zin community, or within my own circle — have reinforced my belief in collective strength. I draw inspiration from their kindness, which motivates me to give back through teaching, mentoring, and creating spaces where cultural pride and community connection can flourish,” she added.
Growing up in Guyana, Grant’s hobbies included dancing, especially in traditional Caribbean styles like Tassa drumming, calypso, soca, dancehall and chutney, which she says helped her stay connected to her heritage.
“During school breaks, I was an active participant in my community at the Edward Rupert Burrowes School of Art, where I enjoyed creating art from unlikely ingredients—such as Balata, Buckram, Tailor’s canvas, rice bags, concrete, and clay mixed with molasses. These creative experiments fostered my love for art and innovation,” she shared.
She became a Zumba instructor so that she could combine her love for dance with wellness and community engagement. Today, she travels across this country, Canada, and internationally. She focuses on building community, promoting authentic dance styles, including Polynesian dance, to preserve and showcase traditional forms.
Additionally, she stated, “I share dance styles, hosting events and workshops with prominent artists focused on preserving the most authentic expressions of these dances. I also cherish passing my skills along to my children, instilling in them the same love for dance and culture that shaped my life. My pursuits help me stay rooted in my heritage while fostering growth, expressing cultural pride, and strengthening community bonding through movement.”
Grant aims to leave a legacy of resilience and empowerment by inspiring younger generations to celebrate their heritage, pursue their passions, and use their talents to benefit their communities.
“Through my talents as a dance instructor, cultural advocate, and community mentor, I aim to inspire young people to be confident in their identity, celebrate their roots, to express themselves freely and confidently through movement, and to recognize that their stories and talents are powerful tools for positive change,” Grant said.
