Shelene Thomas was born June 7, 1969 in the South Bronx and like most children loved to draw and create. Shelene often drew and sang to escape harsh times. Completely attracted by anything musical, she found herself in a couple of community plays as a child. Shelene‘s favorite instrument is a drum so as a child she would pass the time by playing an Indian drum mrdunga. When Shelene was 16, she would sing in the gym at afterschool program and someone asked her to record. Shelene was also very much into writing poetry so the first time she recorded was something that she wrote. At the age of 21, Shelene Thomas was written into a play called Rasta at the VICTORIA 5 theatre next door to the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Shelene is somewhat shy so it was a bit of a challenge when music became a huge part of her life. In the 90s house and club music was very popular. Shelene Thomas made the billboard magazine with a song called “CHANGES.” She later recorded with artist such as Whitney Houston on ‘One Wish’ Jennifer Lopez, ‘Im Real’, My Love Don’t Cost A Thing’ Stephanie Mills, ‘Latin Lover’, Tyrese, ‘Promises’, Celine Dion, Santana, Musiq Soulchild, Nas ‘Oochie Wally’ Darnell Jones Heavy D. Chub Rock, Monifa with “YOU” and more. Shelene is still singing and never stops creating both visually and vocally with 2 small murals at the Rev Arthur Mackey Sr. Park in Roosevelt NY.
Shelene has been encouraged throughout the years to sell her works so she sold a few here and there. People often told her she should do something with her drawings and paintings so she finally found the courage. Shelene very modestly grabbed the offer to display at the Roosevelt Public library. The fist display showcased all woman with multiple ethnicities, young and old. The second was more various.
Shelene Thomas has had the opportunity to guide and teach art and vocals.
“It is a very noble and wonderful feeling to work with good people filled with desire and the need to have a bit of fun.”
Shelene Thomas has also displayed at the Uniondale Public library in Long Island and also at the Joy Setta and Julius Pierce African-American museum in Hempstead New York.
One of Shelene Thomas’s major focuses is on depression and hypersensitivity and suicide. Shelene Thomas is a true believer in deprogramming the mind and reprogramming with positive affirmations so that one’s talents can shine with its best fluidity and capacity.
Forever learning and always humble
SHELENE THOMAS