Gwendolyn is a native Washingtonian, until she moved to Charlotte, NC in 2000. Although she loves to visit her family and life-long friends in Washington, D.C., she now considers North Carolina her home.

Gwen’s professional life started as a legal secretary for more than 30 years in Washington, D.C.  After 30 years of legal corporate work, her heart was moved to open and operate an assisted living home for the elderly, and then work for nonprofits that served those in the most need (HIV/AIDs) and LGBT Youth.

Her travels to Charlotte began with assisting the then Rev. Tonyia Rawls to open an affirming Christian church to serve the LGBT African American Community under the Unity Fellowship Church Movement.  After serving as First Lady for 14 years under that umbrella, she is now First Lady of Sacred Souls Community Church, under the leadership of Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls.  She has been affectionately called in the community “Mama Gwen” because of her nurturing spirit, mentoring and love of people.

Since moving to Charlotte, Gwen has been a champion for the rights of LGBT people.

Gwen has been blessed with her spouse of 17 years, Bishop Rawls, several children, grandchildren and godchildren. She considers family as one of the most precious gifts God could grant her.  Gwen considers it all God’s Overflow in her life.