Shay Leonia
Shay Leonia (she/her) is the Communications Manager for the American Humanist Association, where hosting and producing the podcast How to Humanist and running AHA’s Creator Program are among the work she does to get humanist ideas in front of people who might not know there’s a home for them. She also facilitates workshops and conversations built on the conviction that humanism belongs to everyone, not just the people who already have the vocabulary for it.
Shay came to humanism through her Jewish mother, whose lifelong instinct for warmth and generosity toward strangers Shay didn’t recognize as Humanism until years later — a story she tells in full in the debut episode of How to Humanist.
Raised in a household of professional musicians and inevitably becoming one herself, Shay balances her work at AHA with an ongoing music career, including her work as a wedding singer. A graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (NYC), she’s sung alongside Janelle Monáe on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, performed for VH1’s RuPaul’s Drag Race, and recorded with legends like The Pharcyde, Treach of Naughty by Nature, Monifah and more.
Outside of her work, Shay is a vocal advocate for women’s sexual liberation, a free Palestine, and believing Black women. She remains a firm believer in humor as a remedy for just about everything else. Possibly thanks to her lifelong proximity to New York City, her “make ’em laugh” approach has followed her to Philadelphia, where she now resides, Jersey accent fully intact.
Meet the Staff: Shay Leonia
What is your educational and work background?
For college, I was set on going to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy to study musical theater — and go (and graduate), I did. The only thing is that back then, the college part wasn’t up and running yet — just the conservatory — so part of my soon-term plans is to return for my BFA. I hope to get that ball rolling ASAP.
As far as work, I’ve never been one to have just one job, especially not as a musician. Even while waitressing for far more years than I wanted to, I took on side quests like teaching songwriting classes to sixth graders in the South Bronx, leading songwriting workshops for college students in Brooklyn, singing at weddings, and eventually starting my own company.
I initially launched my business to help other indie musicians with their marketing, branding, and admin. The name, 44th Minute Media, was in homage to my mom — which felt fitting, because she didn’t get enough time with us to pursue her own dreams. Every time I got to help someone pursue theirs, it felt extra special. I eventually branched out to supporting small business owners and then nonprofit leaders and consultants as well.
I also spent a few years at a nonprofit working in the Black mental and maternal health space during the pandemilovato. I was the Director of Operations, but I also led planning for their annual event, including sponsorship outreach and tapping into my awesome network to help make it a success.
Being a wedding singer is still one of my favorite jobs. There’s just something incomparable about spending time with people on their special day, singing my heart out to music that gets everyone dancing, and jamming with heavy-duty players on the bandstand.
How did you first learn about humanism?
Honestly, I only just learned about it through encountering the AHA! I’m genuinely shocked I hadn’t come across it before, but as they say, better late than never.
Did you grow up in a traditional religious faith? How did it impact you?
I grew up Jewish, and now identify as Jew-ish.
My great-grandparents on both sides were the last generation in my family to be Orthodox and keep kosher. My mom always aspired to “be a better Jew.” I even still have one of her books, To Be a Jew, on my bookshelf.
When she got sick, my father converted to Jews for Jesus. He came home and told me — I was just a child — that I was going to burn in hell. As my mom’s illness progressed, he tried to use her echolalia (a symptom of FTD) to convert her behind our backs. I think all of that disrespect led my siblings and me to either subconsciously or intentionally want to strengthen our ties to Judaism.
It wasn’t until several years ago that I began to unlearn the propaganda that came with my religious upbringing and realized how much I no longer aligned with — especially in light of the atrocities being committed in our name against Palestinians. Discovering Humanism helped me understand that everything I cherished about being Jewish — critical thinking, empathy, humility, social justice — were also Humanist philosophies.
As someone exploring Humanism for the first time, I appreciate how much flexibility of thought it allows, especially when it doesn’t require you to impose one’s personal beliefs. I’m learning to value that more and more — especially as someone who still misses their mom and isn’t quite ready to let go of the idea that she might be guiding some of the remarkable things happening in my life. It’s comforting to feel protected by someone who isn’t here anymore, even though I know she would have wanted to be.
What interested you most about working for the American Humanist Association?
I was self-employed for nearly two years and knew I didn’t want to settle just anywhere. I was looking for a workplace that would “match my freak,” as the kids say on TikTok. That meant somewhere that welcomed fresh ideas, was brave enough to challenge norms (lots of George Wendts), took care of their staff, and had a sense of humor. AHA matched all that and more — I knew I had to be here.
What book has influenced you the most?
Most recently, The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates. His writing is so vivid and textured, it lingers long after the page. The way he illustrated his angst and complicated feelings during his travels was deeply affecting — honest, unflinching, and hard to shake.
Then there’s Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, another cherished author of mine. How I wish I could one day encounter Mr. Sedaris picking up litter on the street.
And of course, the one that kicked it all off — Oh, the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss.
If you could have dinner with any three people in the world (living or dead), who would they be and why?
- George Michael — Not only was he a genius, but he had a great sense of humor and was philanthropic with zero desire for recognition. We’d totally be besties.
- Queen Latifah — I’ve always wanted to be friends with her in real life. We’re both from Jersey, she’s also a genius, and I feel like we’d talk way past closing time. Then we’d order another basket of garlic bread.
- My mom — Honestly, if I could have dinner with her even just once more, everyone else could go home. Nothing would top that.