Rev. Gwenn Pierre is a native Houstonian and attended public schools in Houston. She is a proud 1967 graduate of Evan E. Worthing Senior High School, and she is an active member of Worthing’s Alumni Association. She obtained a B.A. Degree from Florida International University in Miami, Florida, and the Juris Doctorate Law Degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston. She also attended the College of San Mateo in San Mateo, California, Chapman University in Orange, California, Texas Southern University, and the Houston Graduate School of Theology. Rev. Pierre has worked for the Attorney General's Office of Texas, the National Bar Association, and the Howry & Simon Law Firm, both in Washington, D.C., Exxon Company's Law Department, Southwestern Bell, the Palo Alto Times, and NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. She has also worked for several national sales companies as their National Training Director. Rev. Pierre is a former Flight Attendant for Pan American Airlines, a former Radio Host for KFMK-FM Radio Station, a former “Miss Black Houston” and “Miss Black Texas”, a former model and actress, and most interestingly, believe it or not, she is also a former Women's Professional Football Player for the Texas Tornadoes in which she was a star running back, #20 jersey, nicknamed “Pee Wee Pierre”. Currently, Rev. Pierre, as an entrepreneur, runs her own motivational training company, Gwenn Pierre & Associates, which conducts seminars and workshops across the country and internationally. She has been a professional speaker and trainer on the national and international speaking circuit for four decades, serving as a keynote speaker, trainer, workshop facilitator, and consultant. She is also a Personal Trainer, Life Coach, and Senior Consultant with Ambit Energy. She promotes entrepreneurship and encourages young people to pursue their own businesses. Rev. Pierre's deepest commitment in life is a spiritual one. She loves the Lord with all of her heart. In ministry for 40 years, she is an Evangelist and an ordained minister with the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby, Senior Pastor, and Rev. William A. Lawson, Pastor Emeritus, where she teaches Sunday School and Discipleship Training classes, and helps to lead in the Women’s Ministry and the Singles’ Ministry. She also serves in the Ruth Circle Mission, the Evangelism Ministry, and the Fresh Start Ministry (serving new members). She has a strong commitment to help equip, exhort, empower, and encourage God’s people to live out their calling with joy and excellence. Rev. Pierre is the Founder & CES (Chief Executive Servant) of The Gwenn Pierre Royal Academy of Excellence, a roving academy, providing “Basic Training for Life”, with classes designed to develop “the whole person” - spirit, soul, and body. She is preparing to launch a new ministry, Christian Debs & Gents, to help train and prepare young people for responsible adulthood, lifelong service, and victorious Christian living - God’s Way. She is building strategic partnerships with churches, organizations, and businesses for optimum collaboration. One of Rev. Pierre's greatest passions is wellness. She specializes in Health, Fitness, and Wellness as a wellness advocate and teacher/coach. She shares how she overcame and triumphed over a life-threatening lung disease, sarcoidosis, which included her being blind, paralyzed, and in a wheelchair. Rev. Pierre is also a musician. One of her greatest joys is playing the harp. She is also a singer, songwriter, poet, dramatist, playwright, speechwriter, professional editor, and speech and drama instructor/coach. She teaches Character Building, Leadership Development, Goal Setting, Etiquette, Speech/Public Speaking, Debate, and Drama at various schools and colleges in and out of the country. She still works with groups as a Fashion Coordinator, Model, Fashion Show Commentator, and Instructor in Healthy Living, Positive Action/Change, Good Manners, Charm, and Etiquette Training. Rev. Pierre volunteers in various capacities in the community. She is a community activist and volunteers her services for several grassroots organizations. She coordinates voter action projects and voter registration, education, and motivation campaigns. She served as coordinator for the Al Edwards’ Juneteenth Gospel Festival and Emancipators’ Awards for over 28 years. She ministers regularly in nursing homes, hospitals, shelters, and other places through preaching, teaching Bible Study, and incorporating song, poetry, drama, and dance. She donates a great deal of her time working with and counseling at-risk youth and hurting women in crisis situations. She continues to serve as a mentor/cheerleader/spiritual midwife for people in ministry, business, and the performing arts, helping them overcome adversity, fulfill their unique purposes, and reach their full, God-given potential. She teaches several Bible Studies in the city, and she is a regular volunteer with BYCE Ministries, Inc., serving youth. Rev. Pierre has served on several boards and advisory councils, including M.D. Anderson Hospital's Community Advisory Board in the Center for Research on Minority Health, the Debakey High School for Health Professions, Horizons Intergenerational Wellness Coalition, the Northside Community Development Corporation, and the Open Heart Center. She is currently serving on boards for HER Call Ministries, Spread Love Ministries, and Hope After the Journey. Rev. Pierre has a special passion for Africa. Her ministry there has included a three-month assignment to minister, evangelize, train, and consult in South Africa and Namibia, as well as a three-month assignment in the Bahamas. Rev. Pierre calls herself a “Diamonds Extractor”, believing in the giftedness and worth of every person. She is God’s “Special Agent,” who specializes in bringing out the best in others and empowering them to be the best they can be. A few of her awards and honors include winning a national professional speakers' competition in Los Angeles in which she competed with top speakers from around the country and being chosen as “National Minority Speaker of the Year”, being selected as the “Most Influential Woman in Religion” by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., “Spiritual Mother of the Year” by the INSPIRE Women’s Ministry, and being honored over the years for her work in ministry and community service. Rev. Pierre is still excited about continuing her amazing adventures with her Lord in ministry, in business, and in life, for His Glory and the people’s good.