La Shanda Slay was born and raised on the south side of Chicago where she attended Richard J. Oglesby elementary school and Chicago Vocational Career Academy. At the age of three her parents noticed her passion for dance so they decided to enroll her at Fieldcrest school of Performing Arts. There her love and passion for dance continued to grow. By the age of twelve she became a teachers assistant and at sixteen a salaried dance instructor/choreographer.

Over the years La Shanda has trained and prepared dance students for state and national dance competitions. Now as the Dance Director La Shanda continues to be a role model and motivator to all Fieldcrest students in addition, she also is a choreographer for the Southland Scholarship Foundation annual cotillion.

Currently La Shanda holds an Associates Degree with a concentration in Child Development. She is continuing her studies at Roosevelt University majoring in Special Education. La Shanda is also an employee for Chicago Public Schools where she works with children who have special needs.