Shanelle Gabriel is a dynamic force—a poet, singer, communications consultant, keynote speaker, and lupus advocate hailing from Brooklyn, NY. Internationally touring, she has graced stages alongside cultural icons such as Jill Scott, Nas, Nikki Giovanni, Diane von Fürstenberg, and more. From Carnegie Hall to the Vatican, and on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, her powerful voice has resonated with audiences around the globe.

Shanelle has also partnered with leading brands and organizations—crafting poetic and artistic messaging for the NFL Draft, Pandora, Hershey, and others. One of her most unique talents is her ability to distill the essence of an event into a vibrant, closing poem—an unforgettable finale she’s created for Fast Company’s International Innovation Festival, the Girl Scouts of Greater NY, and numerous other conferences and events.

As a keynote speaker, she weaves her spoken word into inspiring and relatable conversations on resilience, leadership, communication, and thriving while living with a chronic illness. With over 18 years of experience as an educator and communications specialist, she leads transformative trainings that foster connection, unity, and authentic engagement within teams and organizations.

Diagnosed with lupus in 2004, Shanelle has become a powerful voice for awareness and change. She has spoken at national lupus events, collaborated with the National Institutes of Health, and been featured in USA Today for her advocacy around clinical trial diversity. She currently serves on the Lupus Voices Council for the National Lupus Accelerating Breakthroughs Consortium and regularly lectures at hospitals, universities, and pharmaceutical companies on healthcare equity and amplifying the patient voice.

Shanelle has released three albums, all available on major streaming platforms.and hosts the Better Together: Living with Lupus web series averaging 40K views each episode on BlackDoctor.org’s platforms.

A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Shanelle remains dedicated to empowering her community through creativity, education, and advocacy.