We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Pearl Lilly and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Dr. Pearl, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What battle are you avoiding?
The battle I am avoiding is the battle of patience. I lost my daughter and infant granddaughter to domestic violence, abuse, and a cover-up, and my heart longs for justice. The hardest part has been waiting—allowing the FBI to handle the case and trusting God’s timing, knowing He has the final say.
I hold onto scripture, particularly Romans 12:19: “Do not take revenge, my dear child, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” This verse reminds me that justice belongs to God, not me. My battle is learning to let go, to be patient, and to trust that even in tragedy, God will give me the strength to endure and the courage to keep moving forward.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Pearl Lilly, and I am the proud mother of six children (five living adult children today) and grandmother to fourteen wonderful grandchildren, who inspire my mission of creating safe, nurturing, and empowering environments for others.
My journey has been one of teaching, service, and advocacy. I began my career as an educator, teaching Coding and Drone Technology in Dunwoody, Georgia, later serving as a Transitional Specialist Teacher in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and also teaching with NHA. Beyond the classroom, I have dedicated my life to helping families and individuals overcome challenges, heal, and move forward.
I am a published author of more than 16 books, much of which reflects my lifelong advocacy for survivors of child abuse and domestic violence—issues that are deeply close to my heart.
Through my organizations—Family and Individuals Services and Moving Forward Spiritual Healing, LLC—I provide both nonprofit and for-profit services centered on healing, empowerment, and personal growth. What makes my work unique is the way it blends education, advocacy, and spiritual healing, meeting people where they are and guiding them toward a brighter future. I am also an Ordained Evangelist.
Today, I continue to expand my programs, write, and share my story with the hope of encouraging others to not only survive but thrive. My passion lies in helping people understand that their past does not define their future, and that healing is always possible when we move forward with purpose, faith, and resilience.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I once believed that I had no voice and that I had to remain a victim of sexual and mental abuse. By the age of nine, the pain felt so overwhelming that I even wrote a heartfelt letter to my elementary teacher asking for help, because I no longer wanted to live under the weight of that trauma.
Today, I no longer carry that belief. I know now that I am not defined by abuse, nor am I destined to be a product of it. Instead, I am a Survivor, an Advocate, and a Healer! I am committed to helping others break free from cycles of pain and find their truth and strength, just as I found mine.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“To my younger self: Everything you endured was never your fault. The adults around you, and the system that was supposed to protect you, failed you. But you did not fail—you survived!!
Today, you have a voice. You are strong. You are powerful and beautiful. You no longer have to be that vulnerable, fragile little girl. You now carry the strength to stand up against anything and anyone, and your voice will not only protect you, but also bring healing and hope to others.”
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. I am Pearl Lilly—honest, loving, strong, bold, and intelligent. I am an educated Black woman who embraces every part of my journey, including the challenges and triumphs that have shaped who I am today. I do not hide behind masks or pretenses; what people see is who I truly am. My faith, my voice, and my experiences guide me, and I use them to uplift others, advocate for those without a voice, and lead with courage and purpose. I am unapologetic ally myself, living fully in my truth and my power.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
What I will regret most is not being able to give my children the world and protect them more from certain family members. I also regret not changing their last name to my grandmother’s name, “Lewis.” That name carried love, trust, resilience, and hope—qualities that could have given them someone to look up to. Instead, they carried a name tied to abuse, fear, and pain, and I wish I had given them the legacy of strength, healing, and genuine love that my grandmother represented.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.pearllilly1970@gmail.com
- Instagram: Author Pearl Lilly or Pearl Lilly
- Linkedin: Pearl Lilly
- Twitter: None
- Facebook: Author Pearl Lilly
- Youtube: Pearl Lilly
- Other: TikToK— Pearl Lilly
Image Credits
Photos by Dr. Pearl Lilly
