About Pastor Ylawnda Peebles
Ylawnda Peebles has dedicated her life to Faith, Family and Community. She is the ebullient wife of 28 years to her best friend, Joel R. Peebles, Sr., Senior Pastor of the City of Praise Family Ministries. She is honored to have four brilliant children—Joel, Jr., Janay (Thaddeus), Jordan and Jeremiah, and one grandson, little Prince, Joel R. Peebles, III.
Pastor Ylawnda is a graduate of Bowie State University, where she graduated with high honors, earning the Magna Cum Laude Award, a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Wilbur Henry Waters School of Divinity, Doctorate of Divinity from River Bible Institute, and a Doctorate in Humane Letters from Breakthrough Bible College. Early in her career, she found her calling as a Servant Leader.
In 1999, she adopted a female group home, providing mentoring, warmwinter coats, school supplies, trips to classical theaters and counsel. In 2003, she founded the Heart to Heart Literacy Program, a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit charitable organization designed to inspire literacy in school-aged children. She also wrote and published a children’s book entitled, “God Made Me Just the Way I Am”, which is now in its 3rd printing. She later established Heartfelt Inc., a community-based organization designed to teach adult literacy.
From 2004-2008, Pastor Ylawnda founded and directed the “Blessed By You” Afterschool Program, which trained students between the ages of 9 – 16 in etiquette, interview skills and career education. Pastor Ylawnda also co-hosts many ministry affairs such as, “The Marry Me Again Experience,” “Touching the Hearts of People” telecast aired on the Impact Network; and the Word of The Day aired on both Praise 104.1 and 105.1 WAVA stations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.
In 2012, she was ordained Co-Pastor of the City of Praise Family Ministries to officially stand beside her husband, then went on to receive First Lady of the Year Award in 2012, 2014 and 2017 from Radio One, 104.1. In 2015, Pastor Ylawnda became a member of the illustrious Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., wherein she upholds the mission to provide “service to all mankind,” and was awarded Soror of the Year in 2018. In 2015, during the 27th Annual Bowie State University National Alumni Association, Inc., Scholarship Gala, Pastor Ylawnda, alongside her husband, received the Promise Keeper Award in the philanthropy category for their generosity to their alma mater.
In 2018, Pastor Ylawnda was awarded the Inaugural “Champion of Women” Catalyst Award from Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Prince George’s County Chapter. She was awarded this exceptional award for her inspirational activities worldwide for Women’s Empowerment. In 2018, she served as Bowie State University’s Founders Day Convocation Speaker, where she gave a powerful and inspirational keynote address to the student leaders, scholars and campus community. It was during that convocation that Pastor Peebles pledged to establish a $10,000 Peebles Family Endowed Scholarship Fund at Bowie State University.
Pastor Ylawnda is committed to the health and welfare for all, but has a passion for mental health awareness, support and treatment. To that end, she lends her voice and energy to promoting and raising funds for mental health awareness for all. For three consecutive years beginning 2017, Pastor Ylawnda was the number one fundraiser for the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) in Prince George’s County, and two of those years she was the number one NAMI fundraiser in the country and number three in the country.
Beginning in 2018 to the present, she teaches, trains and facilitates the Gratitude Journey, a transformational experience designed to encourage men and women to recognize and heal from past pains. Further, she committed her personal time to organizing and leading the Transformation Squad, a health initiative aimed at eradicating the unhealthy practices women adapt during their busy schedules as wives, mothers and professionals.
In 2019, she was the first ever to receive the Coretta Scott King Award from the Prince George’s County Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She is honored to serve with her City of Praise Family, in the church as well as the community, knowing, “An empty life only focuses on personal achievement. True happiness is trusting in God, loving your family and making a substantial impact on one’s community.” ~Pastor Ylawnda Peebles.
A Woman of Worship, Wisdom, Service and Elegance “An empty life only focuses on personal achievement. True happiness is trusting in God, loving your family and making a substantial impact on one’s community.” ~Pastor Ylawnda Peebles.