Dwainett Chasity “Chas” Gilliam was born to the late Vante’ and Joyce Gilliam in Sarasota, Florida, on June 28, 1976, and was raised in Palmetto, Florida.
She was educated in Manatee County schools and was a graduate of Manatee High School, where she excelled on the girls’ basketball team as well as a member of the Marching Canes. She later matriculated to the University of South Florida where she obtained a Bachelors’ and Master of Arts in Psychology. She also attended cosmetology school, where she was a Master Stylist while owning her own salon.
Chas accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She was baptized and joined St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Palmetto and participated in many of the youth organizations. As an adult, she later affiliated with St. James House of Prayer in Sanford, Florida…