Mission Statement

Rooted in faith, love, and the enduring legacy of Pastor Kelly D. Stokes, the Kelly D. Stokes Foundation is committed to creating God-centered spaces where youth and adults can speak openly about the barriers that impact education, employment, and economic opportunity. Guided by the Word of God and the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 — “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope” — we challenge systemic injustice, confront racial disparities, and plant seeds of hope through scholarships, mentorship, and community partnerships.

We believe in the power of unity, healing, and faith to restore what’s been broken and to lead the next generation toward the future God has promised.

Empowering Youth through Partnerships, Support and Scholarships

Give and you should be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. Luke 6:38

Making a Difference

Our foundation is dedicated to supporting underserved youth, addressing mental health challenges, and providing financial assistance. The Kelly Stokes Foundation's scholarship program is a tribute to Kelly D, a beloved musician, pastor, prison minister, and devoted family member. Kelly's legacy inspires us to empower individuals in need, following his mission to spread God's word and make a positive impact in the community.

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A Legacy of Love, Faith, and Strength

“Love covers a multitude of faults.” That truth didn’t live just in scripture — it lived in my home. My parents may not have gone to college, but they had something far more powerful: faith, resilience, and unconditional love. They were married for 31 years, and they walked through adversity hand-in-hand — not because life was easy, but because they were committed to loving each other through it all. They showed me that true success isn’t measured in money or degrees — it’s measured in how well you love, how deeply you believe, and how courageously you endure. My mother, Dorothy A. Stokes, taught me perseverance. She showed me how to take control of my narrative — how to believe in myself even when the world tried to define me by my mistakes. She never scolded me for becoming a parent young. Instead, she and my father taught me how to make better choices moving forward. My mother showed me what it means to be a woman — to love my child, to carry myself with dignity, and to fight quietly for what matters. She wasn’t just my mom — she was my friend, my example, and my guide. When she passed away in 2013, after her own battle with cancer, I lost one of the greatest loves of my life. But even in her death, she taught me something: Don’t hold onto stress. Don’t carry burdens that aren’t yours. Live. Fully. Freely. With purpose .

My father, Kelly D. Stokes, my best friend, carried me through the most silent season of my life. When I became a teen mom and withdrew into shame, he noticed. He pulled me aside and said: “It’s okay. I forgive you. And God does too.” And with those words and a hug, he gave me my voice back. He was a soldier in God's army — a man of quiet strength, deep humility, and unwavering faith. We spent hours on the phone, weekends watching movies, and days talking about what God truly wants from us. It was because of him I became strong. “Perfect love casts out all fear,” and his love made me fearless. He worked two jobs for over 40 years and never retired — because he believed in providing, sacrificing, and showing up, no matter the cost. He was a soldier. A real father. And a real friend. Kelly Stokes was a saxophonist and singer, a Prision minister, a Pastor and friend to many. Losing them both to cancer — my mother in 2013, my father in 2024 — could’ve broken me. Instead, it taught me how to live. To rise in their honor. To love without fear. To help others reclaim their light — just as they helped me find mine.

In Her Words:

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord.” — Psalm 121:1-2

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” — Psalm 119:11

“Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world.” — 1 John 4:4

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10

About the Founder

Pastor Kelly D. Stokes was a powerful advocate for justice peace and community uplift.Through both word and action, he helped individuals overcome difficult barriers and navigate life toughest trials.

Worship Music

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

The Kelly Stokes Foundation was founded out of love and grace, inspired by a rich family legacy. Growing up as the sixth of seven siblings, I learned the values of resilience and faith from my parents. My father, a military veteran and ordained minister, instilled in me the importance of following God's path, while my mother, a wise woman of prayer, taught me the power of love and forgiveness. As a mother to my son Kevin and Taylor—Kevin who is now a junior at Saint Louis University, I carry forward their teachings: never give up and always put God first.