Article By Rebecca Johnson // EEW Magazine

Serita Jakes, who has been inspiring young women through her Junior Debutante and Distinctively Debutante Program for over 20 years, is celebrating her debutante class of 2018.

In an excited Instagram post, the first lady of The Potter’s House of Dallas, where her husband Bishop T.D. Jakes is lead pastor, shared how “proud” she is of the girls who successfully completed the program this year.

“My deb babies are ladies now!” she wrote, posting a photo of the dainty girls and teens adorned in white dresses, gloves and tiaras, ranging in age from 10-17.

In a 2014 interview with Christian Post, Lady Jakes, author of The Princess Within for Teens, said some of the girls suffer from “low self-worth, sexual abuse and [are] living in impoverished homes.”

The Distinctively Debs Program, however, is a way to “compel them to rise above their situations” and to see that everyone, rich or poor, privileged or underprivileged, is important and worthy.

“They are all royalty,” explained Lady Jakes, who admits she too battled self-esteem issues growing up. Her experience, according to her, developed greater compassion and empathy in her heart for those fighting through the same emotions and mentalities she grappled with as a youth.

This is why she has such a passion for the Distinctively Debs program; it offers the girls a safe place to grow, be inspired, and fellowship, while making happy memories that will last a lifetime.

Lady Jakes is building healthy esteem one year and one class at a time.