Wintley Phipps

Wintley Phipps is a world-renowned vocal artist, education activist, motivational speaker, pastor, CEO and Founder of the U.S. Dream Academy. For his work at the U.S. Dream Academy, he has received numerous service awards. Some of those honors include: The Excellence in Mentoring for Program Leadership Award from MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership; the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network Use Your Life Award; the Promise Hero Award from America’s Promise; the Philanthropist of the Year Award from The National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc.; 2019 AARP Purpose Prize; the Distinguished Service Award from Loma Linda University; and the Ambassador Andrew Young Award for Distinguished Service.

For more than thirty-five years, he has delivered messages of hope, advocacy, and equality to thousands during his travels around the world. For the 2005 inaugural swearing-in ceremony of President George W. Bush, Mr. Phipps had the honor of performing “Heal Our Land,” composed by Senator Orrin Hatch. A video of Phipps performing "Amazing Grace" has received over 20 million cumulative views on YouTube. On November 5, 2021, the family of General Colin Powell requested Phipps sing “How Great Thou Art” for the former Secretary of State’s funeral that was held in the Washington National Cathedral. On Monday, July 27th on Capitol Hill in the Rotunda, America honored civil rights icon Congressman John Robert Lewis: the Conscience of the Congress. The Lewis Family requested Phipps serve as soloist and as he stood in the Rotunda singing, “Amazing Grace” and “It is Well,” his heart filled with gratitude for this remarkable life of one who answered the call to uplift humanity through advocacy for justice for all. In January 2009 and 2013, Mr. Phipps was privileged to serve as the guest soloist for the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service of President Barack Obama at the Washington National Cathedral.

A two-time Grammy Award nominee, Phipps is no stranger to performing in front of distinguished audiences. In addition to President Joseph R. Biden and President Barack Obama, other notable listeners have included former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, former South African President Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Oprah Winfrey. Phipps is also an internationally recognized speaker on behalf of the U.S. Dream Academy and young people, having completed speaking engagements in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. In recognition of his positive global impact through speaking, The National Speakers Association awarded Phipps the prestigious Master of Influence Award.

Born in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Phipps moved to Montreal at an early age and then studied at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, where he received his Bachelors of Arts degree in theology. He went on to earn a Masters of Divinity degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. In recognition of his work with the U.S. Dream Academy, he also holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Waynesburg University and Mid America Nazarene University; an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Andrews University; an honorary degree of Doctor of Education from Wheelock College; and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Oakwood University. Phipps currently serves as the senior pastor of the Palm Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Palm Bay, Florida.