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, TEDx, TVONE, Creative Mornings, USA Today, NBC, Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) National Magazine, NBC News, AJC, Black Enterprise, Rolling Out, and Upworthy. These campaigns have been viewed by millions of people worldwide.

In 2016, Terence led the March Against Poverty, where he walked from Atlanta, GA (the SCLC Headquarters) to the White House (over 800 miles) to bring attention to homelessness in the U.S.

Terence led the 2018 March Against Poverty as he walked from Atlanta to Memphis (386 miles). He finished the march and spoke at the historic Lorraine Motel for the 50th anniversary of MLK’s assassination.

In 2019, Terence opened Dignity Museum, the first museum in the U.S. to represent people experiencing homelessness—out of a shipping container.

Terence has delivered countless sermons and speeches at conferences, churches, schools, corporate settings, classrooms, and several unique spaces, including the Martin Luther King Jr Memorial in Washington, DC, The King Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Center for Civil and Human Rights, CCDA, Radio One’s Praise in the Park, Morehouse College, Alabama University, and Paine College.

He has spoken on the same platform as many other Civil and Human Rights Activists, such as Dr. Bernice King, Roland Martin, Gina Belafonte, Dr. Vonnetta West, Carlos Rodriguez, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, and Tamika D. Mallory.

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 has served on several ministerial staffs and has authored seven books and three traditionally published works, including: I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People, When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together, and All God’s Children: How Confronting Buried History Can Build Racial Solidarity, all with InterVarsity Press.

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 has also received numerous awards for his community activism, including being named one of Atlanta’s top 500 leaders by Atlanta Magazine, being named one of Coca-Cola’s History Shakers, receiving the National Urban League Humanitarian Award, Brawny Giant Award, the American Express NextGen Award, the SCLC Social Advocacy Award, Atlanta Voice’s 50 under 50, the True to Atlanta Award presented by the Atlanta Hawks, Fulton County Schools Service Award, and Plywood People’s Innovator Award.

Terence is happily married to his best friend, Cecilia Lester, and they have two amazing children, Zion Joy and Terence II.

“‘Everyone is welcome’ is drastically different from “we built this with you in mind.” People do not want to go where they are merely tolerated; they want to go where they are included.”
Terence Lester

Awards and Recognitions

Atlanta 500 Award
2021-2024
City of College Park BIDA Award
2023
Atlanta United Golden Spike Hitter (Juneteenth)
2023
DTLR Community Leader of the Year
2023
National Urban League, Humanitarian Award
2022
Independent Sector’s American Express NGen Leadership Award
2020
‘Brawny Giant’ Award
2020
Coca-Cola History Shakers Recognition
2020-2021
Resolution from Georgia State House of Representatives to honor Love Beyond Walls and the Dignity Museum
2019
Proclamation from the City of College Park, GA to honor Love Beyond Walls and the Dignity Museum
2019
Certificate of Recognition for Empowerment of Teens, Covenant House Georgia
2019
Plywood People’s Social Innovator Award for Non-Profits
2018
Empire Board of Realtists Distinguished Service Award
2017
Personal Letter from former President Barack Obama
2016
Southern Christian Leadership Conference Social Advocacy Award
2016
Atlanta Voice’s 50 under 50 honor
2016
True to Atlanta Award presented by the NBA Atlanta Hawks
2016
True to Atlanta Award presented by the NBA Atlanta Hawks
2016

Get in touch

Book Terence for your next speaking event, or reach out to collaborate.

Read the blog

Explore Terences blog “From Streets to Scholarships”.