L. J. Gates Black, Ed.D. – aka “Joy,” grew up in Louisiana and Texas. She is a wife and mother of four children. She has an undergraduate certificate and a master’s degree in Education from Cambridge College and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University. As an educator Joy has worked at the community college, university and graduate level. Her passion is being a servant leader and helping others to achieve their dreams. God is utilizing her skills as an educator to spread the word of His good works. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, taking long walks, reading books on tape and writing.