Kechia Jenkins

KECHIA JENKINS (Singer/Songwriter/Arranger/Producer)
A Native of Newark, New Jersey attended the Newark Public School system and is an alumna of the Arts High School (of Performing Arts). Though accepted into The Berklee College of Music of Boston, she instead pursued a career in Music Theater, performing in various productions such as the long running Gospel play "Mama I Want To Sing," "Let The Music Play Gospel," "Zooman and the Sign," (and eventually "Jesus Stopped The Funeral," and "When Love Hurts").

A product of the Baptist Church, Kechia began singing at a very young age and credits a great deal of her vocal strength to early exposure to the Gospel choir. A first place winner of the Hal Jackson's Talented Teen Pageant, and Amateur Night at the Apollo, she immediately knew that her calling involved music.

In 1986, (though saved at the age of 15 and committed to singing Gospel), she curiously veered onto the path of secular music and began performing as a background singer for various recording artists affiliated with such major labels as Motown, Virgin, Island Records (and the established Independent label of Next Plateau) and eventually secured her own deal with Profile Records; releasing two hit singles and a third under the Easy Street Record Label.

In 1992 while working on a demo album for Motown Records, Kechia was convicted by the Spirit of God and justifiably abandoned both her project and secular music; thusly immediately returned to the church (her first love) where she has faithfully served as a Worship leader and armorbearer among other ministries. In 1995 (contrary to the traditional Baptist church for women) Kechia alas yielded to the prolonged call to preach the Gospel (as did many within her family). Licensed as a minister in 2001 by the Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr., of Cathedral International (formerly The Cathedral- Second Baptist Church of Perth Amboy, NJ) Kechia now ministers the hope, promises and life of Jesus Christ that none would be lost.

Minister Jenkins has a degree in Journalism/English and is in completion of a second degree in Sociology. A former contributing writer for Newark-based, TWIN VISION's Newspaper and a former columnist for Edison's QUO VADIS Newspaper as well as a former Music Teacher; Kechia's hearts' passion is toward broken and wounded women, as she so desires to one day establish her very own transitional house for women victimized by domestic violence and addiction, that she may be a viable witness of God's Hope and Glory to the lie of hopelessness.

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