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Episode Description: In this episode, Ekemini and Christina are sitting at the table with Dr. Terence Lester.  Dr. Terence Lester is a storyteller, public scholar, speaker, community activist, and author who is the Founder and Executive Director of Love Beyond Walls, a nonprofit organization focused on raising poverty and homelessness awareness and community mobilization.

At the age of sixteen, Terence was a high-school dropout and a member of a gang. A rebellious teen, he lived on the streets and even attempted to take his own life. At twenty, he was arrested.

In jail, he met a man who talked to him about life decisions. It was the first time he had ever heard the good news. By the start of the following year, he was submitting to a call to share his testimony to change the lives of others.

Three ideals drive Terence: (1) anyone can make a difference, (2) we don’t live forever, (3), and it’s worth dedicating one’s life to ensuring no one feels invisible. He’s known for nationwide campaigns that bring awareness to homelessness, poverty, and economic inequality. His awareness campaigns have been featured on MLK50, CNN, Good Morning America, Essence Magazine and TEDx.  These campaigns have been viewed by millions of people worldwide. Terence’s approach combines storytelling and digital media to help illustrate social justice issues with practical strategies to solve these ailments. He holds an A.A. in Media Production (2005), a B.A. in Pastoral Leadership (2008), a Master of Education in Counseling (2010), a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (2012), and a Ph.D. from Union Institute and University with a concentration in Public Policy and Social Change (2023).

He also has a children’s book coming out with IVP Kids that he co-authored with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Zion Lester, which deals with homelessness, belonging, inclusion, and encouraging children to serve others with empathy and compassion. Terence is happily married to his best friend, Cecilia Lester, and they have two amazing children, Zion Joy and Terence II.

Follow Terence on social media: @imterencelester 

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