05/23/2026
A SACRED CELEBRATION OF LEGACY! 🚨
We are thrilled to announce that the 12th Annual PEPS Awards live on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 6:30 PM is officially making history! Created and directed by Joliet's own Dr. Daphney Sims Washington (ROYSTER), this year's event has been recognized at the highest level of our state government with an official State of Illinois Proclamation signed by Governor JB Pritzker! 🏛️✨
❤️ The Powerful Legacy Behind PEPS: ❤️
Many people ask what PEPS stands for—it proudly stands for my beautiful mother, Pastor Ethel Pearl Sims (1938–2002), and JULY 17TH IS HER ACTUAL BIRTHDAY! 🎂🕊️
She was a legendary pillar of faith and service in Will County, so much so that she was highly honored by local civic organizations like the historic Joliet Black Pride Parade! In 1975, she founded the "Charity Helping Hands" organization, providing clothes and food to families in need right from our family's 2.5-acre farm property and 4-lot home! She opened our doors to the community, letting people stay in our lower-level apartment and giving cars away to those in need. She did all of this with the unwavering support of my late father, her 8 children, and her incredible sisters, Mittie Sims Bell and the late Artist Thompson (Founder of the Easterseals Thompson House).
Pastor Sims went on to found and pastor the Powerhouse Deliverance Center in Joliet. Following the voice of God, she also founded the ministry that became HGDC #2 in Lockport, Illinois, hosting the initial services right inside our family home until the membership grew and she asked the late Pastor L.T. Hutton to serve as the pastor to shepherd the flock as they obtained their permanent home at 200 Dellwood Avenue.
Many in our community will also remember her powerful voice over the airwaves for almost 30 years as a prominent local radio broadcaster on WJOL and WWHN in Joliet, and WMPP covering the Chicago suburbs! As her baby daughter—who was just 5 years old when she started this work—holding this event on her birthday is the ultimate honor. I am carrying her torch by honoring others who keep this massive spirit of service alive!
Among our prestigious honorees, we are proud to present a major award to the legendary Dr. John Ruffin—the brilliant, award-winning producer, director, and owner of Theatre 47 in Park Forest, IL!
*2026 Award Winners🎉
- Jill Allison
- Pastor Dwayne M. Barfield
- Pastor Corey Brooks
- Carmen Carter
- Pastor Robert Davis
- Pastor Larry Fisher
- Elder Roger Gates
- Chelsea Graves
- Avery Jenkins
- Burneva McCullum
- Jaron Nabors
- Apostle Dr. Jewel Robinson
- Dr. John Ruffin
- Sonya Marie Sampson
- Second Baptist Church Joliet
- Caleb Ezra Sims
- Shawny Thomas
- William Ojay Tyler
- Apostle Dr. Angela Walker
- Edward & Janice Woods
🛍️ CALLING ALL LOCAL VENDORS! 🛍️
We officially have openings for local businesses and vendors to showcase their products at this historic birthday celebration! Space is limited. For vendor registration details, contact us immediately at 779-702-2766.
Come witness an unforgettable night of honor, praise, and community triumph featuring an anointed musical lineup:
🎤 Minister Tim White – Multi-Stellar Award Nominee (2023 with Focus and nominated AGAIN this year in 2026 for Quartet of the Year)!
🕊️ Evangelist Lemmie Battles – "Chicago’s Gospel Songbird," Legendary lead singer of Chicago Mass Choir a stellar award-winning choir, Doug Award nominee two-time Stellar Award nominee, Hall of Fame recipient.
🎵 Local Favorites: Powerful live ministries from our own celebrated local singers Caleb Ezra Sims, Sonya Marie Sampson, and Trista Graves Brown!
Plus high-energy Red Carpet interviews hosted by Julia Alexander and appearances by prominent local politicians. The entire night is being filmed and edited by the CFAN TV Network for broadcast on CFAN, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, and Joliet Community Television (JCTV Channel 6)!
🎟️ TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW ON EVENTBRITE! 🎟️
👉 How to buy: Go to Eventbrite and search "12th Annual PEPS Awards" Follow us at IBMOrganization.
Or txt 779-702-2766 or email [email protected].
