Conversations with Jayden Watkins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jayden Watkins.

Hi Jayden, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
Wow, where do I start? I always felt like I had been called to be a beacon of light in our world. I always knew I had a unique gift because I saw things differently than most people and I didn’t always feel included in certain things even when I was in elementary school simply because I was different… A few years ago, my biological father got up to introduce me before I gave an inspirational message, and he noted how I was always unique and didn’t do “normal” things that my peers did. He recalled me being about four years old, going to church, and paying close attention to the pastor. Then when I came home, I put on a football jersey, acted like it was my preaching robe, and then repeated all of the main things the pastor said that day… When I believed in Santa Claus as a young child, I asked Santa Claus for a podium, a robe, a drum set, and a piano; that’s exactly what I received. Kids my age would just ask for toys, but I aimed to build a church in my bedroom at seven years old. Now that I think about it, the anointing was always in me, but it was up to me to allow my anointing to fulfill its calling as I grew, matured, and gained more wisdom. Since those humble beginnings, I have become a published author, licensed minister, podcast host, playwright, producer, and assistant director. I have received many “nos'” and denials, but I kept pushing through because I recognized that my calling and purpose is much bigger than ME! I have a generation to help save and higher heights to reach! 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey has definitely not been easy! When I tried to get my book published at 11 years old, Amazon told me that I was too young to become a listed published author on their platform. I remember one of my close family members saying distinctly, “What does an eleven-year-old have to say in a book?”; That discouraged me. It took over two years to get my book published, and I had gotten tired of waiting. And then, the pandemic came and slowed down the process even more. When my book was finally published, it rose to the top of the list in my book’s category on Amazon amid a global pandemic. If my debut book had been released at a different time, I may not have had as many sales because people would not be at home with a lot of free time to read. It was also good that I went through the struggles because the project was not released prematurely, it prepared me for the criticism to come. I have learned that everything happens for a reason. Another challenge that I have faced is paying different costs to edit and produce the podcast I founded, The Preferable Podcast, for the past 3 years. I have had days when I wanted to stop hosting my podcast because the files would not upload to the different platforms correctly, but I focused on how I could bless the children of God! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a published author, motivational speaker, licensed minister, podcast host, actor, stage play director, and non-profit founder. I am known for my reputation as a leader, thought provoker, and an inspiration for the young and the old. I am proud of my determination and courage. There have been many times when I wanted to give up on some of my dreams, such as starting a non-profit organization due to me being uneducated on what it took to begin and operate an organization as well as the thought of not having the connections needed to start one. I found out later that I already had the connections, I just needed to speak up and share the vision that God gave me. My courage to venture out to different fields, such as entertainment, when I agreed to be a playwright and stage play director, is now evident when I look back over my accomplishments in the past year. I never had professional training in acting, and before I was asked to be an assistant director for a stage play, I had only acted in about 4 full stage plays. Yet, I was able to fill in for the director in the rehearsals when the director was not present as the assistant director. It took my courage to turn a woman’s true-life story into a theatrical script in a way that pleased her and the vision that God had given to me. 

My purpose (reason for existence) is the main thing that sets me apart from others. Everyone has their purpose for being here on Earth, but it’s truly up to us to live according to our purpose to create a beautiful legacy. 

What are your plans for the future?
I am looking forward to the vision that God gave me several months ago becoming a reality which is a large group of teenagers coming together to change communities in 2024. Through the launch of “EMPOWERED,”: a teen Bible study group, teenagers will be able to grow their relationship with God and become community-driven to improve the condition of their community. We will meet monthly to study God’s word and give back to our community in positive ways by creating “blessing bags” and giving to the less fortunate. Please encourage the teenagers in your life to be a part of the group by signing up at https://bit.ly/empoweredteen2024 

I am planning for the 2nd Annual Let It Shine Talent Show for Henderson Collegiate High School in loving memory of all of the deceased alumni of the school. The event will allow students and staff the opportunity to showcase their talents such as singing, dancing, playing an instrument, spoken word, etc… The event is scheduled to occur in April 2024 and will be led by yours truly again this year. It is a challenge trying to plan an event for a high school, but will be well worth it to see teenagers letting their light shine! 

My podcast, The Preferable Podcast, will premiere Season 4 in the spring of 2024, and I am excited about the amazing guests and candid conversation that we will have!

I have been chosen to participate in the Disney Dreamers Academy 2024. I am so honored and excited to be a part of the 1% of applicants who were chosen to experience this mentorship program with Disney. From being that little kid in his bedroom preaching to his stuffed animals to heading to Disney to encourage those I encounter is a blessing that I don’t take for granted! So let me just pause to encourage all those who are reading this article to allow your progress to push you to keep progressing! Don’t take any moment for granted in your life and follow your passions. Not everyone will see the fruition of their hard work at the same time, but the result of hard work will always be evident.

Pricing:

• The goal is to raise $1,000 for the teen bible study group by GIVING to provide bibles for each teenager. You can donate through Cash App $iamjaydenwatkins https://cash.app/$iamjaydenwatkins

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jaydenwatkins.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjaydenwatkins/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayden.watkins.92560
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaydenawatkins
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs4Q9umW7ddB20zZTPYi5w
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1aYaHfNJWBZr3CKoZxJQnn