Kay is the founder and president of the Asbury Park Museum which she established in 2018. The museum’s exhibits have been on display at the Asbury Park Public Library, Monmouth University’s Guggenheim Library, Princeton University, and the AP boardwalk. The museum’s year-round exhibits are on display at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel. Kay and her team look forward to its new space in Interfaith Neighbor’s Marmora Center scheduled for completion in 2027.

An Asbury Park native, with family roots that go back 110 years, she also serves as the Asbury Park Historical Society Board President. Kay was a contributor to the city’s ad hoc Historic Preservation Committee which presented recommendations for expanded Historic Preservation designations.

Kay has contributed to and has appeared in several documentaries including Asbury Park: Riots, Redemption, Rock & Roll, and the NJ PBS program Look Up with Darley, a series focused on the architecture, history, and culture of New Jersey communities.

With over two decades of management experience at AT&T and Cablevision Telecommunications in NY and NJ, Kay transitioned into education, accepting teaching assignments at AP High School. During this period, she launched the AP Blue Bishops Ambassadors program, an after-school employment readiness and entrepreneurial program for high school students.

Prior to her retirement from AT&T, she established the Asbury Galleria located on the boardwalk which continues to serve as an opportunity to provide employment and mentorship for local students for the past 21 years.

Kay is actively involved in various community organizations serving on the Youth Committee and as a Board Member of the Monmouth County Division of Workforce Development; Springwood Avenue Heritage Walk; AP High School’s 100th Anniversary Planning Committee; Greater Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce; NJ Pan African Chamber of Commerce Industries; Vestry Member of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church; Member of the Monmouth Shore Chapter of National Smart Set; and past member of the Monmouth County Cotillion Committee.

In 2016, Kay authored From Amistad to the White House: Teachable Moments from 1839 to Within My Lifetime.

Her achievements have been recognized by numerous organizations: M. Claire French Award for “Leadership in Historic Preservation” by the Monmouth County Clerk; NJ Chapter of Women With Vision Award; AP Chamber of Commerce Carousel Awards, “Spirit of Asbury Park”; AP School District Award for “Outstanding and Dedicated Work in the AP Community” and multiple AT&T “Consumer Circle of Excellence” Awards.

She holds an MBA from Clark Atlanta University, a BA from Upsala College, and varied teaching certificates.

Aside from her passion for Asbury Park and its youth, she is anchored by her husband Bill McKenna and her sisters Sharon Harris and Nancy Crooks

“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” -Theodore Roosevelt..