Lady Tonyia Benton

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Lady Tonyia Benton—committed to developing and empowering successful young women in our society.

Tonyia M. Benton is the wife of Senior Pastor Antonnio Benton, and serves as Co-Pastor and First Lady to the City of Light International Ministries, of Mansfield, TX and overseers of Salem Missionary Baptist Church, Paulding, MS.  Together, they have four amazing children—Antonnio II, Timothy, Alyssa, and Christian.

A native of Hattiesburg, MS and an University of Southern Mississippi—alumni, Lady Benton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology, dual Masters in English and Education Administration, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Higher Education Administration. 

Lady Benton is an astute leader of the community, a motivational speaker, an educator, an evangelist—as well as a freelance writer.  As a licensed and ordained minister, she has served as assistant pastor, co-pastor, music ministry leader, and a young adult ministry leader –holding bible study at her Alma- mater. There, her efforts were directly attributed to countless young students’ acceptance of Jesus Christ in which many have been inspired by her work and have moved on to divine callings. She is known as a catalyst in empowering countless women using her gifts, wisdom, the Word, and knowledge.  

Lady Benton is compelled by her passion to influence and empower girls as they embark upon the passage of becoming young women. Called into ministry as she entered adulthood herself, Lady Benton makes a personal connection and recognizes the challenges that young women face as they try to find balance between societal pressure and its influence and walking in their divine purpose.  Her focus is empowerment—spiritual, educational, political, social, and financial.  She has partnered with Tami Rose and Thirsting For Hope as a Spiritual Mentor for Daughters of Hope, and is dedicated to providing tools to help young women gain confidence to boldly face real-world issues as they enter adulthood.

Presently, Lady Benton is an English professor at Tarrant County Community College, Brightwood College, and Pearl River Community College. She also serves as the Learning Resource Center Coordinator for Brightwood College in Dallas. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and has been inducted into Sigma Tau Delta National English Honor Society.