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Leah Cates
Leah Cates is a proud New Jersey native with a distinguished career in both the nonprofit and business sectors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Political Science from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., where she also served on Capitol Hill for three years under the late Honorable Congressman Peter Rodino. She later earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law, choosing to channel her education and passion into social services and nonprofit leadership.
With over 30 years of experience, Leah is currently the Executive Director of Second Street Youth Center (SSYC). Under her leadership, SSYC serves over 500 families annually through preschool, afterschool, and summer programs in a state-of-the-art educational facility. She oversees academic programming, funding, contracting, organizational compliance, and strategic development.
In addition to her nonprofit work, Leah has been a successful Independent Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics for over 30 years, helping women prioritize self-care and build sustainable businesses. Her dual career reflects her deep commitment to empowering others—spiritually, personally, and professionally.
Leah’s spiritual journey began in childhood at Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Newark, NJ. Though saved at a young age, she developed a more profound, authentic relationship with Christ in her 50s during her time at First Baptist Church of South Orange, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Terry L. Richardson. There, she joined the Earthen Vessels Dance Ministry and experienced a spiritual transformation grounded in 2 Corinthians 5:17—“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
On July 16, 2023, Leah married Cecil Cates—affectionately known as her “chocolate drop”—and together they share a blended family of two daughters, Alanna and Tiffany, and a grandson, Lennox. She now worships at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, under the leadership of Pastor Timothy Levi Adkins-Jones and Executive Pastor Elizabeth Tracey Tisdale. There, she serves actively in the Mass Choir, Women’s Ministry, and as the founder of the Phoenix Ministry, which supports women who are incarcerated or involved in the justice system.
Leah’s call to ministry came in a beautifully unconventional way—through the daily “Breakfast with the Lord” prayer call led by Reverend Kim Meyers. As she joined each morning at 6:00 AM, Leah heard God’s voice and yielded to His call. She now serves as one of the facilitating ministers on the call, helping to lead others into healing, purpose, and transformation through prayer and the Word.
Her life’s work is grounded in compassion, service, and spiritual awakening—a testament to God’s grace and her unwavering obedience to His call.