Jekalyn Carr, a trailblazing artist, is regarded as one of the few youngest award-winning gospel singers. Jekalyn sang and traveled with her mother’s group from the age of four to six. With her bright future in view, Jekalyn at the age of six, her illustrious solo career was ignited. She responded to God’s call on her life at the age of thirteen, adding the work of ministry to her gift of singing. As a rising solo artist, she ascended to the position of itinerant minister, traveling the world singing and preaching weekly at schools, churches, graduations, and various educational and ecclesiastical gatherings.
At the age of fifteen, with the release of her first hit single, “Greater is Coming”, and with the success of this gospel faith message, her solo career began to soar to heights she could only have imagined. Her iconic voice and message reverberated throughout the gospel music industry, into worldwide congregations, and the hearts of many who chose Jekalyn Carr as their favorite gospel artist after hearing the song.
The album by the same name debuted at #3 on the Billboard Gospel Charts. This achievement made history for Jekalyn as being one of the few elite artist to notch a top five gospel album, at such a young age! To this day, Jekalyn remains an independent artist and has achieved great success without backing of a major label, a true testament to the favor of God on her life and ministry. Though many gospel record labels chose not to engage Jekalyn because of her age, that was no problem for her father Allen, who took the lead in managing and expanding her music, ministry, and businesses. With his guidance, Jekalyn has become one of the most inspiring voices in her generation.
Jekalyn is now regarded as one of the most inspiring and influential voices of her generation, and her consistency has won the admiration and respect of millions across the globe. One of the most important messages her life teaches is the constant pursuit of her goals and dreams, a message well received by the multi-generational audience she inspires. The Stellar Gospel Music Awards gave Jekalyn her first Stellar Award at the age of 16, recognizing her brilliance in bloom following the success of her first charting hit. At the age of 18, she received her first GRAMMY Award nomination for the single “You’re Bigger” and album “The Life Project,” which surpassed the breakout success of “Greater Is Coming.”
She now has four Dove Awards, six Stellar Awards, and numerous other industry nominations. Jekalyn, one of the most prominent independent gospel artists of her generation, is the beneficiary of many unprecedented opportunities presented to her. She has hosted the Stellar Gospel Awards twice and has presented and performed on numerous platforms where her work has been recognized. She has also received the President’s Award and was presented with a key to the city of Fulton County in GA, at the age of 25 after being inducted into the Women’s Songwriters Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C. Jekalyn’s induction was unique in that she was the first gospel artist and songwriter to be inducted.
Jekalyn is much more than a preacher, singer, and songwriter. She is a published author, actress, radio personality, serial entrepreneur, conference host, and fashion and fragrance innovator.
The “You Will Win” conference, which focuses on Faith, Family, and the MarketPlace, is set to return in 2023. The conference inspires, empowers, and encourages attendees to pursue their dreams through impactful teaching, experiences, and testimonies. The mantra “You Will Win” is internalized as “I Will Win” by the end of each conference, as each attendee leaves with faith-filled determination to pursue accomplish what God has placed in their hearts to do.
Jekalyn has captivated audiences with her dynamic voice since her professional debut as a teenager in 2012. A mainstay on radio and sales charts as well as performance and award show stages, she has since dazzled audiences filled with those of all ages including many years, even decades, her senior. She is the winner of six Stellar Awards, four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and the recipient of five GRAMMY® nominations and two Billboard Music Award nominations. She has six number one radio singles, two chart-topping albums, and seven songs to reach top ten. All of which, she has achieved at the tender age of 25.
What may be lesser known are her achievements outside of those as a recording artist. While not surprisingly eclipsed by her music, her feats as an author, an entrepreneur, a radio personality, and a sought-after speaker, are just as notable and impressive. To tout a few, she and her self-named cosmetics brand were featured and highlighted in Forbes Magazine in 2022.
She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from then President of the United States, Joe Biden. She is also the first Gospel artist to be inducted into the Women’s Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and she can currently be heard as an afternoon radio personality on the nation’s leading syndicated network, Radio One.
Jekalyn is making strides that will make indelible imprints across various industries for years to come. She is everything that is great about her generation: innovative, bold, and courageous…and savvy enough to appeal to this generation.
She has successfully – and gracefully – gone from child prodigy to grown woman right before our eyes. Her metamorphosis, inclusive of a jaw-dropping transition from barrettes and bobby socks to cosmetics and couture gowns, is the visual representation of her equally impressive personal and professional evolution from singer to multi-hyphenated businesswoman. Whether it’s faith, family, fashion, or Forbes-worthy business moves, Carr has firmly established herself as a beacon of information and inspiration.
Jekalyn believes that our influence should be used in a positive way to help people to see the good in themselves and life.