Keep it Positive, Sweetie - Praying for Destiny Helpers w/ Jekalyn Carr

Episode Date: October 12, 2025

In this powerful episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie, host Crystal Renée Hayslett welcomes Grammy-Award-winning and Gospel Hall of Fame artist, preacher, and author Jekalyn Carr - for an unfiltered conversation about faith, calling, and divine purpose. From navigating seasons of doubt to walking boldly into one’s destiny, Jekalyn gets real about her journey—praying for destiny helpers—and offers wisdom on how to steward influence for God’s Kingdom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Calling all my Sweeties to the forefront. I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazel, and this is the Keep It Posit Sweetie Show. Today, joining us, we have Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, author, and entrepreneur, Jacqueline Carr. I know she's going to pour into us, and I'm so excited. Sweeties, please give a very warm welcome to Jacqueline Carr. Hello. Hey, boo. How are you?

I'm good. How are you? I'm good. It's so good to see you. Thank you, likewise. Thank you. It's been a long time. It's been on me.

What was it like? 2023? Yes. When we did praise this together, right here in Atlanta. That was a good time. It was hot. Listen. Highland, I definitely got his death.

Every scene. It was so. You did have different wigs. Your character was. Bring our tiger print. You know what I'm saying? Eventually. Your character was a lot of fun.

We had fun shooting that. Thank you. It was. Yes. Yes. Well, Jacqueline, I'm glad you're here. It's been a long time because we've been talking about doing something together. So I'm glad you got.

on when they called and I was like absolutely we had to have her on yes no I'm just so proud of you for everything you've done you likewise thank you out here doing your thing you know we're doing I'm trying to stop saying I'm trying we're doing it yes we're doing our thing thank you thank you so at just the age of 13 you've been doing this for a long time since you've been singing since you were five but at the age of 13 you had already been on Ebony's Power 100 I ain't even done that I'm tickled that that is amazing. Looking back, like, what would you feel like the drive was to even start getting accolades at that age? Honestly, I didn't even expect it at a very young age. I just knew that,

you know, I was destined to be great and to do what I do or whatever. And you know how, like, you're doing what you do. And you just say yes. So Jesus. And then, yeah, and then he just, you know, rewards you and he follows you. Sometimes you don't even know what the journey looks like. I guess that's why, well, not I guess, I know that's why it pays to just trust them. And so a lot of things that I have accomplished, it was, yeah, very, very young. And I'm like, oh, my goodness. Yeah. Yeah, but it's great because I remember saying, you know, all I wanted to do was to inspire people and to give them hope through my gifts.

I didn't know that it would be at that young where I'd be actually accomplishing things. Yeah, things, my huge milestones at a very young age. Let's take it back to that five-year-old Jacqueline. car when you said you always knew you were destined. A lot of people, I think, who dream big and then actually make it, it's something in that little child that they always knew. Take us back to a five-year-old Jacalah and what she always knew. Well, I, um, so I come from a singing family, speaking, very talented family, and I was that little girl. I couldn't escape. Every time I turned around, I was singing. I was singing in the mirror, singing to the grass. The grass was my choir.

cousins come over I would make a choir and you had to sing in my choir okay you were that cousin you had to sing in it um what was him do you have a name for the choir no it was just jakey and car choir um and you know going to church and and all of that and being around it like I grew up in it but sometimes just because you know you're around it that doesn't mean that's what you're supposed to do absolutely I knew that was what I was supposed to do um and And my parents recognized my gift. I tell a little bit of the story when we was in choir rehearsal. And the choir was singing, but that was out of key.

Uh-oh. At that time, I was like five years old. And I stopped the choir, and I was like, y'all out of key. And I gave them their correct keys. And, you know, my parents, they recognized my gift and started cultivating that. And it just went from there. That's amazing. Wow.

So, raised in the church, coming from a family of singers and talented musicians, what was, or was there ever a moment where you were like, you know how we start, we know this to what we're supposed to do, but was there ever a moment where you're like, I want to try something different? Or has it always been gospel? It has always been gospel for me, specifically because I just always love music that just, I don't know,

give people hope. Not saying no other music does that, but it's just something about gospel music. It's just something about it. I don't care who it is, whether it's traditional, contemporary that you listen to. After you finish, you're going to have some type of feel good about yourself. And I just love singing that type of music. I never kind of way, never wavered away from that. That's good.

I learned early on what my lane was, and I stay true to that. There's a lot of things that I know that I could do. I'm like, when it all boils down to one thing, I know this is what I'm supposed to do. Come on. You know what I'm saying? So. Yes.

I love that. I love that. So you were recently inducted into the gospel hall thing. How was that? Girl. It just feels surreal. I'm 28. Right.

You know, but I have been doing this, like we said, since I was five years old. And it's just amazing to see how far God. has allowed my reach to be when it comes to my music and all of my gifts as a whole and to just know that people have been such because in order to be inducted to the gospel music hall of fame you know you have to have somebody listening to you and so okay um I'm just grateful it is mission accomplished for me because that I see it from the view of so many people have listened and have been encouraged and inspired not just in America but all across the world. Wow. So yeah. You were doing the Lord's work truly. I do my best. I love it. So let's take it to

I'm an artist as well and a lot of people don't see all the hard work that goes into becoming a Hall of Famer. Studio time, the touring, all the things. And you've been doing this since a young age. What was that like? Were you always excited to go into the studio? Was like, do I have to do this? And what is your favorite part of the artistry? Yeah. Every day in one excitement because there were times that I would literally have to get off the plane, which is recently because I'm working on my album and had to get off the plane, had a little time to go home and then go straight to the studio, you know, or, and then have what I did the night before on stage and stuff, because I don't know what it means to not go hard. Like, I'm always, you know, giving my all.

You know, and just having those moments where it's like you have to go from one thing to the next and the next and the next. However, I find joy. in it. It's like once I'm in that studio booth or on that stage, it's like something that goes off in me because it's like these people, they don't know what happened before I got here. You know, they don't know what happened before you got in the studio. And it's your duty to always give your best and give your all. And I always say, too, when you're grace for it, it kind of just flows a little differently for you. You're grace for it. I love that. I love that. In your 28 years, what has been some of

of the biggest lessons that you've learned so far in business? To know your business. Come on. To read your contracts, you know, things of that sort. My journey is a little different. I've been independent since we came out. My dad is my manager. We have our own record label publishing company, all of the things.

And so, but I would encourage people no matter what your journey looks like. It doesn't hurt to get to know the business that you're trying. to go into, not just, you know, you being on stage, how do I preserve my vocals, how you got to know the business too, you know, and it's okay to not know. That's what research is for. And then also, you know, praying and ex-God to send those people who can also handle you the way you're supposed to be handled. Because, nah, we're not for the mishandle, but nothing over here. I know that's right. Yeah, that's so good. And it's good that you have your father, someone that you know really cares about you

since literally day one. Day one. Because I would hear stories and, you know, so many people have to change this and, you know, we go through changes with teams and everybody who started doesn't stay. It's just a whole lot. But I've been blessed to have my day ones.

And so, yeah, God is good. It is good. And I love that you guys have your own label, your own publishing company. Because a lot of, especially us in our black community, we don't. We lean on the big labels to really kind of help.

us cultivate our careers. You don't know what's going on. You do not know what's going on. Yeah. Yeah. So I love that. Taking on that, is it more responsibility do you feel, having your own label and having your own publishing company? Well, a lot of the work is on my dad, so he's how damn sad.

I just tell him, this is the vision, this da-da-da-da-da. I love it. We have a collective vision or whatever. But it is a lot of responsibility because we literally have to run it as if it was another label. another label, you know, from PR and, you know, all the aspects of it. So it's a lot of responsibility, but we can handle it. You are handling it. I've been handling it since 13.

I love that. That is incredible. Now, you have nine, nine, number one billboard songs. How does that feel? One, as an independent artist, and you're only 28 years old? Yeah. It's just one of those surreal moments for me, because my very first song,

which was my breakout single, Greater is Coming. We released that when I was about 14, 15 years old. We did not know what that song was going to do. All we knew was, you know, God had given us a song and told us to release it. And I'll never forget, you know, just the different testimonies that I would hear across the world

and then from there now to don't faint, and just how far, I'm speaking of radio singles, how far we've come, it's just been, it's amazing. I'm like, goodness, we're about to be on number 10. Yes, seriously, because Don't Faint has already gotten 2 million streams. Yeah, over three minutes, yes. That's crazy. You the three now?

Over three, yes. Good Lord. That's a lot of people and a lot of taps. Right, exactly. I'm like, y'all love me like that? And I'm just like, they love you like, we love you like that. Yes, I love that. When did you know that this was more than just a gift?

It was an assignment, you know, because you had this undeniable talent. But when did Jakela know that this was actually your assignment? I don't remember at what point it was, but I do know I was young. I'm grateful for the type of parents that I have because, you know, when they recognized it, they first knew that, you know, this was something. We didn't know where it was going to go. We knew that it was something to the point to where they invested into their child. Yeah. Wow.

When it comes to values, teachings, even sacrifices, just all the things. And then along my journey, I started to see, you know, how much, how important that this was and my walk and my journey was to God that I wasn't just an average person. And I will say to one of those moments. was when I was in public school and then I was taken out of public school to go to homeschool and my parents was like, you know, they just felt the need because they didn't know it was a head. But in my mind, I'm like, something. I'm just getting ready to be something.

How old were you then? I started public school in fourth, I mean, homeschool rather, in fourth grade. Okay. Yeah. That was a big shift, I'm sure. How was it as a child, like going from your friends to home? Yeah. Well, I was in what you call extended homeschool. So I would do my work at home and then we would go to the school to test. Okay. Yeah. Shout out to Gateway Christian homeschool. They were great people, amazing people to my family.

And obviously it was before like middle school, junior high, high school, all that. So I ain't really, I wasn't really bothered by that. I was still, I was an active kid. My parents still, I cheered. Okay. I modeled. I did a whole lot of things because I was active. They just made sure that there was a balance. If that makes sense. Like even when it was time for a prom. I was going to ask you that.

Yes. My school, it was a Christian school. They didn't really have all that prom stuff. Their prom stuff. However, during the same time that I was supposed to have from, or would have had prom, that's when Ebony Magazine was honoring me that year with Beyonce, LeBron James and a whole lot of people. I'm like, yeah, I'll take

that. Take that. You come, Shmong. Any day, yeah. That is crazy. I mean, even that, so pastile, yeah, Beyonce, LeBron. I'm tickled. That is amazing.

Now, you have Jacalin and the Legends. This is a stacked album of gospel royalty from Yolanda Adams, Beanie Wienin's, Karen Clark Shears, Shirley Caesar, one of my favorite childhood like I love me some Shirley Kimberrell and John Piqui and Moore

to be so young what made you really want to pull your great's closer? It was time anyone who knows me, any interview that I do people ask me all the time who are some of your favorites. It's always going to be the legends I was blessed to be raised

in a household where I got everybody not just contemporary but the older, the old school, too. And these people have obviously paved the way, broken barriers and all of that. Some of the things that they went through, I never had to go through, you know, because they endure, they conquered.

And to have them on my album is just like, oh, my goodness. And literally, when I hit all of them out, they were like, of course, yes. Okay, take us to that moment, because I'm so curious, like, you just call them up and say, Hey on Shirley Yes

Her Yolanda Adams VB He's like niece Bear with me niece But it was so fun And also

You know Even beyond that Being actually in this studio with them Now Pastor Shirley We have recorded before

but it's been a minute And so being in the studio with them It's just never a dull moment I can imagine something from them, laughter. It's always amazing.

If you could remember a piece of advice, any of the legends have given you, what's something that really, that she really held close to you? Yeah. One of the things that Pastor Shirley told me, this was actually before the world knew who Jekalyn was. She had to sing in Memphis. That's where I'm from. Wait a minute, I didn't not.

You're from Memphis. I'm from Martin, Tennessee. Oh, God. Yeah, a little two hours north of Memphis. Yes, ma'am. That's crazy. I didn't know. She had a concert there, and she called me Baby Shirley, and she said, I want you to remember this one thing, never let people change who you are, stay true to who you are.

We actually still have that video somewhere, some hard drive somewhere. But, yeah, that really stuck with me. And as I went along my journey, I knew that, you know, I may not be everybody's cup of tea. but what I have and what God is given me is assigned to somebody's destiny. And so, yeah, I stay true to Jacqueline. I love Jacqueline. I love what I'm supposed to do. That's it.

How I do it. And, yeah. If you had to list your top three worship leaders of all time. And listen, if you're not on list, it's okay. You are still great. I'm tickle. She put me on a list. It's five.

It's not about five. No, just plan. I'm just playing. Top three. I'm going to say Jason Nelson is one. Oh, my gosh. Brian Courtney Wilson.

C.C. Wining. Yep. That's good. Listen, we are not mad at that list. That is so good. Yes. How do you balance honoring the traditional gospel sound and the new sound that you are cultivating

now. The balance is very well. Interesting enough, like when I would do my live concerts, I have this segment that I like to call the old school segment. I love that. And I would just do like throwback songs, you know, hymnals and all of that. So it's

something that I've been doing for a while. I'm just now putting it on record, you know, on an album. I think it's very important because I think my generations, generations after me, all of that need to be. informed of the old school gospel that is still hitting today. It's not something that

we that was song then and then it was left. No, we still singing them songs today and the blood will still tear up a house. Okay. You are not lying. Yeah. So the balance, the balance is very good and I'm glad that you know the gap is constantly being bridged so people can know it's not it's not a separation or anything to be divided because it's all the gospel is the gospel you know you just have the different sounds yeah i love that 10 years of number ones is rare for any genre yeah like any genre you but how do you keep your song writing fresh do you have like different writers come in or do you write everything that you sing all of our writing is in-house uh i write it my dad write it mom

we write it together wait so the whole family writing too yeah yeah and how do i keep it fresh Now, I don't mean to be deep, but I mean to be deep. Come on, get deep now. We love it. I never. And when I say never, I mean that. I never release anything if God has not given it to me. Because he knows what his people need.

And who better to act, you know, than him. Yeah, exactly. And I'm always asking him for music that is not just for a season, but you can sing it and you can play it at different parts of your, life and in different seasons, and God has done that. And he's continuing to do that. You know, most of my songs are Pull Me Out songs, you know. I recognized what my assignment was, and I say this all the time, which is supernatural

faith activation, activating your faith, getting you to see who you are in God, what he wants for you, despite your past, despite where you come from. God can use where you at wherever point you are and so that's what I try to you know I try to do sing in my music and all of that

and the only way it can be done is I got ax and burst absolutely I love that so what is your time before you go into the studio before your creative space before you even enter that space what is that time like with God

to even receive what he has for you so I study my songs because the more you study them the more connected you become to them And I always have to ask, too, what atlibs you want me to say? I'm very big on an ad libs. I like to say stuff with substance. I want to just be singing.

And ooh and in an office. What do we say it? You know, because what you say can go a long way. It can. Or it can stay right there. Right. And it's so true. Yeah.

And so, yeah, I always have to ask, even when it comes down to the ad libs and all of that. And people ask me, when I be in the studio, the engineers, be like, you'd be out here in an hour. and da-da-da-da-da-da-da I thought it was going to be yeah because I can't prepare I know that's right I spend it in the night here I got things to do yes I love it do you like record on your phone like to prepare for your song comes comes to me I record on my song because I'm going to forget yes because they sometimes come at random moments and then I'll come back at whatever moment I like to force it yeah I like for it to just naturally happen um come back finish writing and send it to my daddy, send it to the team, and we go from there.

Do you have a studio in your home? I don't, and I've contemplated it, because it's like all of my work is done, you know, every once we create the pattern, I'm going to keep piano and stuff like that, everything is done elsewhere. Yeah. And I'm just asking myself, is it really worth it? Yeah, because, I mean, one, it's expensive, but also I just think about the times that God downloads, things like you can just run downstairs and yeah i ain't gonna be recording all that um

listen like a little separation you know what i feel you you be you said you work work work so you'd really be working that part yeah that part i love that like i got to add engineer to my hat right i wouldn't be surprised you like move i got it exactly i love that um outside of music you also have a beauty brand, Jacaylan Beauty that is quickly growing. Tell me more about it and what really push you into the entrepreneurial space. So I've always knew

that singing wasn't all that I was going to do. You know, there was so much more. However, I believe in doing things in the right time. You know, you create that foundation and then you build from there. And so for me, when I did release it,

it was successful. Way more than what I realized. I mean, I believe in myself. We're not even going to play like that. But you just never know. You just never know. You drop something.

You're like, all right. Exactly. Launch. You're like, yeah. You're like, wait, they buy it. Exactly. And we did the fragrance first, and it sold out twice. And then we did the skincare.

I'm very big on skincare. Now, as much as I love a beat face, thank you. As much as I love a beat face, I love taking all this off. Yes. And when I take it off, I want to love my skin. I'm very big on hygiene and all of that. So the skin care is doing great. People ask me all the time, what do you use on your skin?

Yeah. Chick-Haitland Beauty. I know. That's right. Walking Billboard. Exactly. And I'm kind of about to promote like you. That's right.

Come on. Yeah. And I tell people like, anything that I do, I'm passionate about. It's not just something I wake up overnight, be like, oh, I'm going to do this or I see this as a train. I'm going to do this. I'm very passionate about what I do at the best time. All of the product that I have, I used it during the pan.

in me you know how long we was locked up in that house maybe okay locked up won't let me out we're like come on now um and I was able to um jail and get connected with my own product to know what I didn't want what I did want and then after that we just it's like yeah it's time it's time that is amazing so what else do you want to create um it's some things that we're working on I'll come back on the show. We'll talk about that. No, I'm serious. And bring the products. Yes, yes, yes. And we will push it

for the world. And I'm excited about it too, because it's also been something that has been on my list for a while. Definitely still in the entrepreneur's side or whatever. So yeah. Yeah, so when it comes to entrepreneur, is there anything that's different

or did you take a lot of the lessons that you learned in the music business onto this side of business? Or has there been other things that come on you? You're like, oh, I didn't realize I had to deal with this. this side. Yeah, of course, because you know, you're dealing with products. You're dealing with things that people have to use in their everyday lives. So, you know,

it's a lot of stuff that you have, you learn what the do's and don'ts, the regulations, the hazards, all the things. But I also think the biggest thing, too, is learning that sometimes you need a team for that specific thing.

You know, just because if you're dealing with somebody who's in music, use them in music. They may And I'll be good and, you know what I'm saying, in skincare or whatever the case may be. And so, yeah, I think it's just really understanding who you need for each vision that you have. That's so true. That's a little bit of my team now because I have so many ideas that come to me. And everything is I'm passionate about, same as you.

It has to be something that I really believe in because I can't sell anything. Even with brand partnerships, if I don't truly believe in it and I don't use it, I can't promote it. doing it okay we cannot do it yeah um i have to stand behind it 10 toes down and i'm not really good at lines yeah that either they're gonna know it on my face i'm like this is great they're like she'll like that yeah right all the time you see her use it is when she's on instagram we never see you use that product but i love them because um i'll tell them something they'll call the experts in that space to say hey this is what our client wants to do how can we make this happen?

So I love that they don't try to take on everything as well. It's like we're going to find the person that can help make this happen for you. And that's important because a lot of things can go down real fast if the wrong people are handling it. Yeah. So good for you. That is amazing. You also are an actress.

So we worked together on praise this. We talked about that. What sparked that and what made you say, I want to act too? As I said, I've always been that act of little. little girl. I was always that act a little girl. And I was always in a camera. Like literally, my dad has footage of me always picking up a camera recording. I would record. Yeah. It's just too much. And I've always known that television was something that an area that I would go into. But again, it's about the right timing. And it's also about what's right for Jacaylan. Because, you know, I would get sent

stuff at different points and I'm just like it's good but I don't think it's good. I don't think it's good for me because I also value to what I've built. Yes. And yeah, but I love it. Even with praise this, that was the first time that a lot of people really got a chance to see like the fun side of Jacal. And I'm like, y'all, I love to laugh. I love to have a good time. Y'all just didn't know that because sometimes they can, some people can't handle that. You know, you don't know what to say nowadays because, you know, you don't know if they're going to be excited. They're going to laugh or they're going to be like, that was too much. So it's just, you just never know.

But in that film, I was able to, you know, show that side. Some people, well, at least my family, they was like, oh, she was not playing the wrong. That is her. That is her. But it was fun. And I look forward to doing more of it. I really, really love it. I love you.

You were amazing. Thank you. Likewise. Thank you. It was such a good time. I heard there was rumors about a part two, but then the strike happened, so I haven't heard anything else about it. But they need to go ahead and bring part two. That part. Praise this part two.

Go ahead and bring that back. If there's a dream role that you could do, we talk about roles that you know you can't do. And I'm the same way. I have boundaries when it comes to the roles that I'll play. And is there anything when you think about just your dream role, what would it be? it's a couple you got time we got time

one I would love to play a very successful it could be young whatever woman so many times we see different stories

of a woman of course we have our struggles and things we go through but just that woman who is like I can't have it all in life because some people tell us oh you can't have it all

it's got to be one of the You got to pick and choose. He's fighting for me. He's on my side. I can have it. So something like that. I feel like I would... This is my only to play it.

I don't need to play it. I feel like I want to play something in a thriller. Yes. I think. I feel like I'm going to laugh too much. you know i don't know maybe maybe maybe um that is fun and a good action movie yeah i would love to play something like that but yeah there really are no limits it's just those certain areas or certain things that i just know it's not for yeah would you ever do like a horror movie yeah it really

it depends i'm scared see i don't watch horror movies so i'm scary and and i have a little it depends on how goreous. Yeah. You know, we don't, not knowing those spirits and stuff. Baby. Listen, we can keep Annabelle over there. You know what I'm saying? Seriously.

But a good thriller, you know, like when a stranger calls. Yes. What is it? Don't breathe. You know, something like that. Yes, yeah, yeah, yeah. You'd be laughing when you're not supposed to be breathing. Get out of it.

Get out of hand. You choose this moment to fall. You're going to feel any of the time. You feel like, laugh. That's me. I'm always tripping on set times. Like, Crystal, I'm like, sorry, my feet hurt in the hills. I'm tired.

That part. I'm just tripping over myself at that point. Yeah. That's me, too. And I'm always laughing when we have serious scenes that are funny and I'm supposed to be the serious one. I break character every time. Like, I had to literally bite my tongue to stop, like, to my lap. No, for real.

I was just, there was just a film that I was supposed to. for a few months ago. And I had to be very serious. Like, I had to be mad. And I also had to slap the guy. Oh, wow. And when I would slap him, it wasn't me. It was like, when he would make a certain reaction.

Right. Because he was like, golly, girl, you didn't have to do all that. It was hilarious to me. So it's all about me just, you know, standing character. Yes. They're going to have a lot of bloopers. I'm going to tell you that. naturally a happy person.

And naturally happy, that's what it is. Oh, it's so hard. You are not the only one. I promise you. We are in that same boat for sure. You are also a motivational speaker, which is some, public speaking is something, funny enough, it's something that I have a hard time with. I can carry in a conversation, but speaking to people who are not speaking back is hard for me. How did you even realize that was a gift that you had and that you wanted to speak and pour out into people? I realized, I was did at the Asia 13.

When I was singing, it was almost as if I was speaking anyway. Yeah. So it just kind of like flowed in for me. That confidence has always been there. Now, the only time, like you said, speaking and then you're not getting a reaction, because I'm a speaker and a preacher, okay? That was going to be my next question. So, is she a preacher too?

Okay, we could deal with that. But as a preacher, you got to talk back. You got to talk back to me. I need to know. You know, we're on the same page. You know what I'm saying? Yes. But, you know, I still, even with that, I still don't allow it.

As long as I'm doing what I'm supposed to do, saying what I'm supposed to say, that's all that matters. You just never know. And that also taught me, it was really the speaking that taught me that you never know who you're going to be in front of, what type of audiences. I've been in front of audiences who are not black, you know what I'm saying? And they receive differently, but they receive it. They receive, yes. So I think once you learn that, you kind of just flow through it. Because, yeah, as long as you're doing what you're supposed to do, child, it's all that matters.

So when you say preaching, do you actually go to churches and preach? Yes. Really? That's what I started at 13. Wait a minute now. I don't know you was preaching at 13. It was actually that that catapulted my music. Yeah.

So I traveled the world for two years. before Greater was coming, came out and then, you know, everything just started, you know, coming together. Yeah, that is crazy. Yeah.

So were you also at home, like in the mirror preaching to yourself? Is that how they realized you could preach? Okay. Like, Chiquela and you? Yeah. It's so funny, too, because people be,

you know how some people think that because you preach, you're supposed to pastor? And I tell, but, uh-uh, there's two different things. Two different graces, okay? Yeah.

I tell him, If he ain't calling, I ain't answering. But I do love evangelizing. I love preaching. I love traveling, doing that. It's so amazing to just be able to have something to give to people who are just at different parts of their journey. And they need the push. They need that encouragement.

And to be the vessel that, you know, they call, it's just, it's always humbling. I can imagine. Yeah. So when it comes to preaching, what's a moment where. you know how like you can be preaching to people but then God really feels you can you recall a moment where a particular sermon or a place you were preaching and you were like God I needed that I would say when I was in Detroit a few months ago and I was preaching it was it was the sermon itself but it was what God had gave me to release before the sermon um you know telling the

people that they were getting ready to cross over into something that very things that they had been holding on to they've been believing God for and all of that because you know at some point you hold on to it but eventually you're supposed to step into it yes that's what his will is and that was something that I needed in the moment and to help the people understand

it doesn't matter what it's being said what has been done against you in any way when God says it's your time it's your time and nobody can stop that my God that's so good I love that it's so true a lot of times we second-guess ourselves, we'll self-sabotage, or allow the enemy to get in our mind. No one God has pushed us forward and said, it's your time.

And we're like, no. I tell people, where there's warfare, there's breakthrough. If it gets intense, that is an indication to you. You're close to something. I mean, I know it's been hard, but the moment where it gets, like, even harder, something's about to break for you. And it's just a matter of you pushing through to see it happen. do you give the enemy what he wants

and never see it. Right. That's so good. I love that. Being a motivator and a public speaker, what do you do for motivation and who motivates you? I have a great, great support system. My family, my parents.

Always encouraging me and making sure that I'm refilled because especially when you give a lot, you have to be refilled. There's no way around that. I listen to motivational. motivational messages. And, yeah, to just keep my spirit fed. If I don't feed myself, I would have nothing to give.

And so, yeah, I have a great, great, great support system. I love that. What does that balance look like for you? Like, what is the day where DeKalyn isn't going, going, going to the next thing? Yeah. For me, I love watching a good movie. I love going to the spa. I love getting massages and all of that.

And I'm really a homebop. Me too. Especially when you do so much, you travel a lot, you just want to be a home. I like to create whatever I want at my house. And then there's times you got to go out. You know what I'm saying? You got to be social or whatever. I love ATV riding.

You know, I'm a country girl. See? I love horseback riding. Wow. Very simple. Do you still live in Memphis? No, I'm in Atlanta. You're in Atlanta?

Okay, awesome. So do you have, like, land where you have, like, horses and land to ATV and all that stuff? Yes, that's actually here. That's awesome. I love that. Good country girl. Listen, I know all about that. Yes, ma'am.

So what is your day-to-day from waking up to at the end when you're laying back down? It varies because of the different things that I do. I do have my own radio show with Urban One. Jekaelen Car Family Affairs Show I have my own syndicated radio show The Jekaelin Car Show And then, you know

So here lately I'm working on my album So it's been stuff surrounded by that Yeah Girl And then there are days that you just never know Interviews, you just never know And then there's days where it's mild You know I love

I've become a gym girlie So going to the gym three days out of the week I go twice because I do the functional training and I do the boxing. Okay. Yeah, you know and stand a little box.

You better be a one to. And then the other days I go, the rest of the days I go for functional training. I love that. I was just telling my team last week I started fasting for the month of September but from certain things but for food I started doing the

186 rule where you eat six hours a day with the other 18 year fasting. Jacqueline, when I tell you the difference I felt in my body, and I just talked to a doctor, I said, is this something that's sustainable? He said, absolutely. He said a lot of people adopt that as a lifestyle because I've noticed, like, my energy. Even now, like, I was telling you before we started, I'd be getting tired. I'd be like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Like, I don't know here hiding, y'all's like, yeah. It's not because I'm bored, but my body's literally shutting down. But I've noticed even, like, getting up earlier and going to the gym and making it a point to make sure I'm getting my vitamins and my nutrients him has made a big difference. And I had this thing called, Did You Move Today Challenge? So I love that you're moving.

You're in the gym because a lot of times, especially when we have these crazy schedules, that is the first thing that goes, by the way, side is. It's hard. It's hard. And then don't let me bend it got my hair done. It ain't going to nobody's gym, okay?

So we better get what we need to get done. I'm hollering. Before I get that hair down. Do you sweat your head too? Yes. Me too, girl. So bad. Yes. And, you know, what helps me, too, is a few years ago, I stopped looking at it as something that, oh, you just got to do this. Like, no, this is something that I adapted to be a part of my lifestyle. Come on.

So I went from feeling like I had to go to the gym to now. I actually love going to the gym. And I don't feel good when I don't go, you know, except for the days I get my hair done. And then it's like, selling doesn't bother you. It's like, my hair looks good. I'm all right. I'm the same way when I get my hair straightened twice a year to get a really good trim. And those are the days where I'm like trying to, it's so funny. You should see my, I pull my hair up and I go to the gym.

And before I even like do anything, I go back to the bathroom, I start blow drying the wet parts before I take it down. Because my hair starts. Because I'm still trying to, and I do microlinks. I've been on that for a minute now. Just kind of get the wigs. baby this heat is just like especially this heat yes exactly and the humidity forget about it

lace in this heat just don't mix yeah I've been putting my units on like only when I had photo shoes yeah you know awards stuff like that yeah so you're gonna how to teach me how to do that I got you yes I'm the natural girl like that's my thing but yeah

trust me I get it especially with this Atlanta humidity yes we talked about pouring into yourself and pouring into others in a moment where you may get frustrated. How do you center yourself? And where do you go for that source of like, okay, let me pull it back together? The first thing I have to do is to be quiet. I have to process what I'm feeling in the moment. I don't like to just... Good. Yeah. Because I value my peace and anything that will pull me out of that. You don't want to do that. Right. You don't

do that. So not even myself. I don't want to pull myself out of it. So it helps that I take a moment to breathe, relax, go for a walk, think it over, and then, you know, go back at it because you can think it through properly. And

if I have the same result as I did before I started walking and stuff, it helps to call an accountability partner people that want to see you be great. Not nobody that's going to be a yes person.

You need that. No, I need you to be able to be wise. You know, because if, if you, that's the point of having an accountability property so that they can help better you. And so those are some of the things that I like to do. And it helps me out a lot. I love that. You are wise beyond your years.

Seriously. I can't believe I'm sitting here talking to a 28 year old. You are so wise. There are a lot of young women that watch our podcast and, and older women, like, but if you could speak to the woman that maybe has a dream, that knows she's destined for something greater, but can't really figure out how to get to that point, is there any advice or just encouragement that you could give her? Well, one of the things I want to say is none of us really sometimes know how.

We don't really know the steps. The beauty in it is when you have the courage to step out, period, no matter what. if there's a gift that is in you and you're in his lying dormant just you have to tell yourself this is every day that goes by I'm allowing greatness to be wasted I'm allowing myself to sit down on something that could actually change whether it's my community or the world because you got also know what you're called to um whatever it is I want to encourage you to step out you don't know the steps all the time even when if I can go by biblical Abraham

God didn't give him the full vision until he stepped out until he got to a certain point and so sometimes it's like that with us all he needs is your yes that's all and your willingness to move forward to keep going to keep pushing and

also pray for destiny helpers people that he will place along your journey to help encourage you help give you insight on what you need so you can be where you're supposed to be You better preach That's so good

I received that too Thank you so much Decalan Before we get out of here I want to play a little Gospel edition of this or that Okay You ready

Okay So the first one is Quartet or Choir Well I know this one I thought she was going to say choir Chiquette I'm going to choir I don't

Yeah But you say quartet It's kind of hard But I'm saying quartet Okay Got it got it Okay Solo or duet

um oh oh that's hard i don't say so low okay all right yes okay um sunday sunrise service or a midnight prayer service midnight i'm not a morning a person organ or keyboard who i know i'm gonna say keyboard yeah for sure i love that testimony service or praise in worship? Let's do testimony service. You know what? Like we didn't got away from that. You remember back in the day

like testimony time? Praise Lord everybody. First giving unto God who's head of my life. Yes. Vacation Bible school or revival. Revival, me. Lord sent a revival. We had not had a revival in so long.

Maybe I may do a little revival. You need to do revival. Please do revival for us. Get you to come preach. That was good. You're trying it. Now I'll come up. I'll come in.

Yes. I'll do a panel with you. I'll be on the front row. Yes, exactly. Yes. I'll have a breadcloth for everybody. Jaquil, thank you so much. I've enjoyed this conversation with you.

Before we leave, let our audience know how we can support you, what you have coming up, all the things and where we can find you as well on socials. Yes. Well, if you don't know about now, I'm Jekaelin Carr. You can follow me on all of my social media at Jekailen. card. That's J-E-K-A-L-Y-N-C-A-R. All of my music is available anywhere you stream or download your music, all the good things. Yeah. And new song? Yeah, new song, Don't Faint. Another single that is coming right after that, the album, Jacaylon and the Legends. I don't know when this will be aired, but it may already be out. If it's not out, it's coming. Yeah, just follow me.

Perfect. Thank you so much. Yes. Thank you. you for having me. No, this is amazing. Thank you for speaking into our audience. I appreciate it. Yes. Hey, sweeties, I hope you all are filled with as much inspiration in life as I am after that conversation. Now it's time for me to go pray for my destiny helpers. If you were inspired by this conversation, please let me know in the comments and be sure to share this with a friend. In the meantime, in between time, keep it positive, sweetie. I'll see you guys next time. Thank you.