We all strive to be winners. It’s a natural intention we engrave within our lifestyle, with the hopes that as we gradually win more, we’ll reach a certain extent of success.
Grammy-nominated and independent Gospel artist, Jekalyn Carr, is one of the many believers of this journey to win, and how we must live up to our fullest potential, in order to earn our winning title in its entirety.
Now, after almost three years of process, she recently released her first book directed to the concept, “You Will Win!: Inspirational Strategies to Help You Overcome,” a project that encourages those in ways to win in their life, whether it be in health, family or financially, with impactful messages and breakthroughs of their setbacks, to ultimately reign settled in victory. “We fail to recognize our wins because we don’t know the true definition of a win. We cannot compare our wins to a game or to an event, because we know in a game only one person can win. But when we apply our wins and our true definitions of a win to the definition of God’s purpose and God’s plan, we realize that we actually win everyday.”
To coincide with the book, Carr also released live album, “One Nation Under God,” which shot to no.1 on the Billboard Gospel chart, and also features her chart-topping hit single, “You Will Win.” The single, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales chart in September 2017, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart, and hit the Top 10 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart. Carr says this is her most diverse album yet, and will share the commonality of those whose heart is with God, rather than where they come from. “I’m so excited about it because it is such a diverse album, and the message behind the album is it does not matter if your in America, Africa, Alaska, Australia, wherever you are, if you have a heart for God, we’re gathering together as his people.”
“But when we apply our wins and our true definitions of a win to the definition of God’s purpose and God’s plan, we realize that we actually win everyday.”
It began at the age of 13, when Carr knew she wanted to inspire people through her words. She began motivational speaking, which two years later, she decided to incorporate her messages throughout her natural passion of music. “Motivational speaking I feel, is my foundation. When I started motivational speaking at the age of 13, that’s when things started taking off for me. And then by the age of 15, that’s when my music ministry was expanded to the world. I think the message is very important because in order for you to have longevity in your career, in your music and all of that, you definitely have to have substance. And hearing songs like “Even Greater is Coming,” going all the way to “You’re Bigger,” and songs like that, that people are constantly requesting, I constantly get people saying how much it has inspired them because of the substance that it has and the message.”
Inspired by artists like The Wayans, Pastor Donnie McClurkin and The Caravans, Carr said it’s their heart and passion for what they do on and off the stage, which motivates her to do the same through her career.
But her devoted work ethic, and striving for greatness since her childhood, doesn’t stop her from creating a balance between her personal life. Carr said although her life has taken a complete shift in the last 10 years, the journey has been amazing and impactful to those around her, but it’s important she takes the time for her own self-care.”When it’s time to work it’s time to work, and when it’s time to relax, it’s time to relax and do things I like to do, such as getting my hair done, getting my nails done, going to the spa and all that great stuff. So balancing is very key and I feel it doesn’t matter what your profession is, because you want to have longevity of what you do. So it wasn’t hard trying to prioritize at all.”
“I think the message is very important because in order for you to have longevity in your career, in your music and all of that, you definitely have to have substance.’
Carr feels it’s important we prioritize our focus in a time where we can be in unsettling spaces, where negativity, seems almost impossible to escape from, and how ultimately, we are our own and each other’s way out.”One thing we have to understand, is that things will constantly be happening around us, negative things will be, whether it’s through television, radio, internet, we will always see it, but it’s what you do with it, to take your focus from what it is you’re supposed to be doing, and don’t let that blindside you. You see it, but you don’t see it, and you have to keep pushing and you have to keep pressing and just know that there’s something in you, there’s purpose, there’s destiny in you, that somebody out there is depending upon. So stay focused, and keep pressing toward the mark because you were born and destined to be successful, and to live a prosperous life and somebody out there needs to know, how they can do it as well. And they can know that, just by watching you.”
Following the release of her book, Carr is also hosting a one-day “You Will Win” conference, which will include class sessions teaching attendees how to win in branding, family, health, marketing, and career. The conference will run from to June 21 to June 22, in South Haven, Mississippi, right outside of Memphis, Tennessee. Nightly services will be open to the public. “I just believe that it’s going to be an amazing experience, because again, we are living in a time where people want to know how they can access this place, because a lot of us, we are aware that we are supposed to be winners, and we are aware that we are supposed to be successful, but we don’t know how to go about doing it.”
“You see it, [negativity] but you don’t see it, and you have to keep pushing and you have to keep pressing and just know that there’s something in you, there’s purpose, there’s destiny in you, that somebody out there is depending upon.”
Be sure to pick up a copy of Jekalyn Carr’s “You Will Win!: Inspirational Strategies to Help You Overcome,” in stores now! And also, her coinciding live album, “One Nation Under God,” available on all music platforms.
Keep up with Jakalyn Carr on these social media platforms:
