Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Leticia Wiley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Leticia, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?
My heroes are my parents. My dad, Apostle G.H. Wiley and mom, Mother Theresa A. Wiley are the epitome of strength and perseverance. Both parents were diagnosed with cancer. My dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer before my younger sister was born and was told that he wouldn’t live to see her birth. Even with the diagnosis, he never stopped showing up to church preaching, teaching Bible Class, and his praise definitely never wavered. Not only did God allow him to see my sister born, but he completely healed him from cancer! When my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2015, she decided not to accept any treatments prescribed. She never stopped either! I watched her rely on God and He strengthened her. I forgot she even had a cancer diagnosis. Today, she is 8 years cancer free! Their tenacity is what encourages me when life throws curve balls my way, I have their examples that if I just keep pressing, there’s a blessing on the other side.
Leticia, 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 was born and raised in the church. I started singing at a very young age. My mom taught my sisters and I and then at church we were apart of the all the choirs growing up. Church is definitely my identity and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was baptized in the name of Jesus when I was 2 and filled with the Holy Ghost at the age of 6 years old. Some would argue that you lack balance but then you’re implying that God isn’t enough. God is everything I could ever need and hope for! As I got older, life began to unfold. I started experiencing trials and tribulations and that’s when I discovered the true power of God and the effects of the prayers my parents prayed on my behalf.
When I was 21 and on the verge of walking away from God, I felt such a strong pull to hold on. I knew that was nothing but God. From this experience, my first song “Lead Me to the Rock” was birthed in 2006 and released to the world in 2018.
In 2020, COVID took the world by storm and we were all quarantined for extended periods of time. The only times we were out was to buy essentials and return home. My family and I were on FaceTime and decided we wanted to play Song Association over the phone. I thought it’d be fun if I went live on Facebook. A few viewers joined the live and wanted to join the fun. They played along with us and we had a great time. They enjoyed it so much, they asked that I do it again. The more I did it, the more people attended and an hour turned to 3, and the audience grew to the point where Messenger was maxed out. Fast forward, that FB Live has now become #TheHeal and we enjoy faith, family, fellowship and fun every Wednesday/Saturday at 8pm. Our gatherings are centered around worship and fun. #TheHeal aka “The Virtual Altar” is a place where you can come lay your burdens down and leave them there! In 2021, we launched our clothing line www.thehealapparel.com and provide merchandise and other items. Our goal is show people they’re never alone. We have received so many testimonials about how #TheHeal has kept people from depression, committing suicide, self harming, and more.
In 2021, I released my 2nd single “New” which tells the story of being on a journey with the Lord and He calls you to go deeper. The first emotion to set in is fear, however, if you yield, you’ll discover something so beautiful on the other side of your “Yes!” God gave me that song at the end of our 50 day consecration. I could feel God downloading lyrics in my Spirit and a few weeks later, He revealed them to me while at my desk at work and I immediately stopped and wrote everything I heard.
I had never written a song prior to 2006 “Lead Me to the Rock”. However, since 2006, the Lord has not stopped speaking to me, and I have written more songs that are just waiting to be released in God‘s timing.
As I continue to follow the leading of the Lord, He is unfolding the path right before me of the road that I should take. Earlier this year (2023), my friend Nathan Hoskins reached out to me and asked if I ever thought or considered hosting a radio show. At first I said no but after much thought, I decided to accept the offer to be a radio host on his station, Sound Gospel Radio. In August I debuted my first show “Rockin’ with Tish” on www.soundgospelradio.com which airs every Saturday from 2 to 4 PM on the website.
This journey has been filled with ups and downs, twist and turns, but one thing that has remained sure is that God‘s love for me never wavered, and His presence always remained strong. I can always depend on Him. I want the world to know that you never go wrong when you are serving God and following His leading, He will direct your paths. You can be young, stay saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. God has beautiful things in store. The world has so many examples of people doing otherwise, but someone needs to stand up and let the world know that God is the same yesterday today and forever and if you stick with Him, He will also stick with you. I want young people to see that you can remain virtuous in the Lord. You do not have to show it all in order to be appealing. You can dress modestly and still be fashionable and be beautiful. The Lord will beautify the meek with salvation, and you can have confidence in that what God has started in you He will perform in until the day of redemption. Everything that I do, I want God to be seen, felt and glorified
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Honestly, I didn’t try to get followers, and I’m still not trying. I’m just being myself and sharing my life in and out church. I’ll share my morning routine, which includes driving over speed bumps that I detest on my way to work. I will share my church services which will allow everyone to see me either singing and playing on the organ and praising God. If I could give any advice to someone who is trying to build their social media presence, I would say be genuine. Don’t try to put on a front for your audience. Don’t try to keep up with those who are doing things that are getting attention if that’s not true to who you are, Just be yourself, lift up the name of Jesus and He will do the rest.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
There are a lot of aspiring/up and coming artists that want to one day make it to the big stage. I’ve seen far too many times how that comes with a price. I believe my determination to stand firm on what I’ve been taught and believe and my unwillingness to compromise for recognition is what’s gotten me what ever attention I have now. Quite frankly, I don’t focus on those things because it’s not about me. It’s about soul winning for me. It’s about God and how I want my life to be available for His use!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thehealapparel.com
- Instagram: _leticiawiley_
- Facebook: Leticia Wiley Music
- Linkedin: Leticia Wiley
- Twitter: _leticiaWiley_
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/ladyletizradical