Janay Reliford is a Kansas City native. She attained a master’s degree in social work administration from the University of Kansas in 2004. In 2006, Reliford founded Camp C.H.O.I.C.E (Children Having Opportunities in Creating Environment), Inc., with the mission of providing youth life enrichment experiences to benefit their present and future spiritual, educational & social wellbeing. Camp C.H.O.I.C.E has served hundreds of youth through themed camps focused on emergency preparedness, human rights, violence prevention and other critical issues.

In 2020, Reliford began volunteering with the KC Reparations Coalition (KCRC) and became chair in 2023. KCRC’s work led to the passing of a city resolution in support of HR40 in 2022, and the Mayor’s Commission on Reparations, seated in May of 2023. The same year, Camp C.H.O.I.C.E began offering African History Saturdays as educational enrichment to the public, 1st Saturdays, March-October, in response to attempts to defame and erase Black history.

Reliford is passionate about advocacy and has been honored with awards such as “Women of Courage” Mothers of Incarcerated sons and Daughters (2013), “Community Changer” The U Church (2014), “Community Leadership” (2023), “Community Impact” International Black Hat Society, “Charles Miller Black Liberation Award” Black United Front-KC (2024), and Black Women are Divine” Black Lives Matter Minnesota (2025). Reliford aspires to create a legacy of service others, especially her children and grandchildren, can be inspired to carry on.