Rev. Donna Hayes is a native of East Orange, New Jersey. She pursued her passion by obtaining her Cosmetology License from Concord School of Hair Design in Bloomfield, NJ. Rev. Donna worked for celebrity hairstylist Elgin Charles in Beverly Hills, California, and has been a highly sought-after hairstylist for many, including celebrities such as Queen Latifah, the late Rita Owens, gospel artists Kierra “KeKe” Sheard, CoCo of SWV, Justine Simmons, and the cast of *Run’s House*. She has traveled the country as the key stylist for her sister, Deborah Tillman, the star of Lifetime Television’s *America’s Supernanny*. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including *Black Hair* and *Diva Zone* magazines. Rev. Donna successfully owned and operated Creative Illusions Hair Salon in West Orange, NJ, and Evolutions Hair Studio in Browns Mills before retiring from cosmetology.

 

In 2005, Rev. Donna heard the voice of God calling her to declare His Word. She answered the call and preached her trial sermon at Allen AME Church in Atlantic City, New Jersey, entitled “I Know You Hear Me, But Are You Listening.” She has a tremendous passion for God’s Word, coupled with a love for God’s people. Rev. Donna is the First Lady of Friendship AME Church in Browns Mills, New Jersey, where she stands beside her loving and supportive husband, Rev. Dr. Samuel L. Hayes Jr., faithfully serving God and ministering to the growing flock of the church. On April 15, 2012, she was certified and appointed Evangelist of the New Jersey Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the hand of Bishop Richard Franklin Norris. Rev. Donna is currently an MDiv. student at New Brunswick Theological Seminary and was ordained on April 6, 2024, at the 152nd Session of the New Jersey Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the hand of Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister Sr.

 

Rev. Donna has a heart for women, and God is using her to encourage, equip, and empower them to reach their fullest potential in Christ Jesus. It is her desire that the women of God humbly seek Him to understand their true purpose in life and begin to see themselves through the eyes of Christ. 

 

As a dynamically powerful preacher, Rev. Donna teaches Church School with passion and fervor. She hosts the *Inspired Purpose Talk Show* on its YouTube channel, co-hosts *A Conversation with Pastor Sam*, which aired live on Wednesdays at 6:00 PM on the YouTube channel of Pastor Sam Friendship AME Church, and is the creator and host of The Beautiful Beyond Measure Women’s Ministry. Additionally, she founded My Husband’s Crown, a ministry to help wives desiring a godly principled marriage affirm their noble character through scriptural understanding, as well as the Jesus Lovin' Jersey Girl Brand. Rev. Donna is a board member of Brooks Media Group and an overseer of the Diva Zone brand. One of her favorite scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.”

 

Rev. Donna’s greatest joy and accomplishment is her family. She and her husband are the proud parents of three children: Samuel III, KaiLoni, and Arianna, along with two fur babies, Rock and Simba. This dynamic ministry family currently resides in Browns Mills, New Jersey, where they stand as living testaments to the amazing things God can do when we surrender our lives to Him.