Yolanda Hilliard Lucas is the Owner/Marketing Director of Lucas Memorial Chapel and the Owner of Phoenix Luxury Vehicles. Born in Richmond, Virginia, she has lived in many different cities throughout the United States and graduated from high school in Southfield, Michigan. After high school, Yolanda furthered her education at Hampton University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. After taking a marketing class, she decided to change her career path and pursue sales and marketing. She has worked at various prestigious companies: Xerox, Abbott, Bayer and Johnson & Johnson and has received several certifications and achievement awards.

In 2017, she left her job as Regional Marketing Director for Randall Residence to take a more active role at Lucas Memorial Chapel and to pursue a few of her dreams. However, since Lucas Memorial Chapel’s start in 2000, Yolanda has been involved with community outreach. She sponsored food and clothing drives, conducted memorial ornament services during the holidays, promoted student literacy by giving away books to the community, helped college students by providing scholarships for them and continues to be a proud sponsor of the Garfield Heights Basketball Team. In addition, Yolanda has been speaking and sharing her personal tragedy overcoming testimony at churches, civic organizations and wherever an opportunity presents itself. Even in personal encounters, she never misses an opportunity to encourage and offer hope to people wherever she meets them. Recently, one of her dreams was fulfilled with the launching of Phoenix Luxury Vehicles-transportation services.

Yolanda is a part of the Lion Pride Parents Association at Lawrence School and loves helping parents with children who have learning differences by sharing her story of early intervention and discussing the successful educational option of Lawrence School. She is also a member of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. (Cleveland Chapter). She spearheaded their Flint Water Crisis campaign and has played an active role with Founders Day celebration and previously was Foundation Chair. Yolanda received their “Mother of the Year” award in 2017. In 2018, Yolanda was honored with the Trailblazer award from the Cuyahoga County Section of National Council of Negro Women, Inc. She also has been involved with the Cleveland N.A.A.C.P, Hampton Alumni, Area Specialists on Aging, and has served on different executive boards in Northeast Ohio. Yolanda finds great joy in working with churches and charitable organizations to raise both awareness and finances. She was pleased to be a part of the executive team in support of St. James A.M.E. Church’s charitable fund-raising initiative that sponsored CeCe Winans in a benefit Concert in 2017. Yolanda also loves to share the Lucas Legacy story. Five generations of family achievements and displays freedom papers and historical items from 1852 and beyond. In the last year, she’s been actively involved with the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Committee (PAIL). Her mission is to help navigate parents through the grieving process and to reduce infant deaths and racial disparities. Recently, she was featured in a National Geographic article sharing her personal story of pain and loss and she was certified as a Grief Recovery Method Specialist.

Yolanda is passionate about making a difference in her community, reading, sports, traveling, history, photography, and spending time with her family. One of her favorite activities is attending and watching NASCAR races with her son Harper. They both were advocates for the removal of the confederate flag at NASCAR races and were featured on the national news and several other media outlets in 2020. Yolanda is also a woman of faith and believes in the POWER of prayer and positivity.