Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jayden Watkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jayden, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

During the global coronavirus pandemic, I dreamed of incorporating a nonprofit organization that provided necessary resources and faith-based events for my community. There were many nonprofit organizations within my community but many were either inactive or did not align with the mission of my dream organization. The fact that I live in a community that is often highlighted for high crime rates or drug activity is disheartening when there are so many gifted people in my community. Therefore, I knew I would have to defeat stereotypes and break down barriers before I could truly accomplish the mission of my organization. Although I am currently 16 years old, I recognize the truth; and the truth must be accepted by us all. The truth is that many of us talk about the needed change, but very few of us take action to make the change by being the change! That truth ignited a burning desire for me to make risky yet bold moves to use my God-given talents/gifts to improve the condition of my community.

I knew I needed to become more educated on what I was about to set out to do, so I contacted various lawyers and organization advisors near me. I asked them about the steps I needed to take to have my organization registered in North Carolina with the necessary paperwork to avoid legal conflicts. Many of the professionals I reached out to used my age as an excuse for me to not become a CEO as a teenager. I never thought that it would take two years to make my dream come true but I stayed steadfast. My steadfastness led to my paperwork being approved by the NC Secretary of State on January 4th, 2024; birthing Higher Is Waiting Nonprofit Organization.

Jayden, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Jayden Amir Watkins! I am on a mission to inspire others to activate their God-given talents/gifts to make the world a better place! I am a 16-year-old American Christian author, motivational speaker, licensed minister, podcast host, playwright, non-profit CEO, and visionary who resides in Henderson, North Carolina. I always loved going to church so at the tender age of 7 I was busy asking Santa Claus for a microphone, a piano, a podium, and various other items you would only see together at a church. At 7 years old I had set my eyes on starting a church in my bedroom (lol)! This burning love for Jesus Christ led to me beginning my public speaking journey at the tender age of 9 in August 2017 when I gave my first sermon at Spring Street Missionary Baptist Church. Now I serve as a traveling minister with my home church being Big Ruin Creek Missionary Baptist Church.

I released my debut book “Higher Heights: The Past Is Behind Me And The Future Is Before Me” in 2021. Higher Heights is a 40-day devotional book about preventing your past from hindering your future. What’s most interesting is that the same book I self-published was the book that was denied by multiple publishers but ended up reaching the Top 5 in my book’s category.

I started The Preferable Podcast as a middle school student during the pandemic as I started to fall into depression and looked for uplifting content. Over the past 5 years, I have heard testimonies of people finding renewed hope and the inspiration to be their authentic selves by listening to my podcast. In April 2023, I was recognized as the youngest long-running Christian podcast host of all time in the category of Religion & Spirituality on all major podcasting platforms.

In 2023 I became the assistant director and playwright of the Residue Of Unforgiveness Stage Play which was acclaimed by multiple news sources.
Most recently in April 2024, I was inaugurated into the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2024, a program that was originally sponsored by Steve Harvey & Essence Magazine. I have begun my partnership with the YouVersion Bible App to provide uplifting content to people around the world.

Now, my focus is growing my non-profit organization, Higher Is Waiting, and ministering to our broken world one step at a time. My guiding bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV).

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I put all the money I earned from my other endeavors into starting the organization but that still wasn’t enough to operate all the programs I envisioned. I could have started working at a restaurant that I went to after my academic day, but that would have been an unwise decision for where my life is going! So to garner the funds needed to start Higher Is Waiting Nonprofit Organization, I reached out to business owners who have been operating for a long time and asked for donations. I told them about myself, my vision, and how they could be a part of a revolution that can better OUR community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

The main problem that I have been experiencing with operating Higher Is Waiting is receiving enough funds to operate it with excellence. One day I sat down to contact successful businesses in my community to find those who were willing to sponsor one of my organization’s events/programs. 90% of those whom I emailed didn’t acknowledge the email or phone call I made. That caused me to doubt the God-given dreams that I had. I knew what I was called to do, but it felt like things weren’t adding up or making sense. Although the dream-filled child in me was dying, there was still a sense of hope within me because of the God who worked things out before me. Then, there was a business leader who came to mind at this desperate moment. My lack of belief that the CEO would support me came from an experience with a person of a different race than me who treated me as less than. I took the lack of belief I had that the business leader would support me and combined it with the little faith I had left to reach out! My decision to reach out caused me to get the funds I needed for my organization but more importantly, pushed me toward being resilient in a way that I never was before!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jaydenwatkins.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjaydenwatkins/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjaydenwatkins/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjaydenwatkins/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQs4Q9umW7ddB20zZTPYi5w
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@iamjaydenwatkins?_t=8VzYsxZRtFu&_r=1

Image Credits

Quincy Hargrove of onQ Images & Gia LPhoto