Jekalyn Carr On Her New Book, Her New Album & Where Her Positivity Comes From

Jekalyn Carr is a GRAMMY-nominated singer — in addition to nominations for Billboard, GMA Dove and Stellar Gospel awards — in addition to being an actress and a published author. 2018 is shaping up to be a big year for Carr as February 20th sees the release of her first book, You Will Win: Inspirational Strategies to Help You Overcome, while February 23rd brings the release of her fourth album, One Nation Under God. In addition, Carr will be making her film debut in I Never Heard My Father Speak, appearing alongside actress Robin Givens and singer-songwriter Kandi Burruss.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Ms. Carr about her new book and album, but perhaps more importantly, about where all of her positivity and motivation comes from. More on Jekalynn Carr can be found online at www.iamjekalyncarr.com and www.youwillwin.org.

Where did the idea to write a book come from? Had you been approached?

Jekalyn Carr: I always knew at different stages of my life I would write several inspirational books. Whenever I would go places to speak or sing, I would have people tell me “I’m waiting for your books.” With that being said, I’m so excited that You Will Win will be my first written one.

You Will Win is the first title to be published by your publishing company. Was there any hesitation in working with a first-time publisher? Had you worked with the company on other things?

Jekalyn Carr: No, it wasn’t a hard choice, it felt good at the moment to be able to team up with them. I remember when we started up our family record label and the success we acquired through hard work. I knew that if you work it, it can be successful as any other long-standing company.

How long did you spend writing the book?

Jekalyn Carr: The writing time length for You Will Win was about three years. And actually even before I started to write the book, I had already been sharing that inspirational message everywhere I went. So finally, I felt the push to go ahead and write the book to be able to get this message to more people.

Did you work off of an outline? Talk the book and transcribe it?

Jekalyn Carr: You Will Win is all about getting people to live like undefeated champions. As I began to travel, people shared their situations with me and it seemed as though they were allowing their situation to defeat them when it’s supposed to be the other way around. I was then inspired to write this book to let people know that they don’t have to live their lives defeated by hurt, relationship issues, financial issues, career issues, family issues or whatever they’re dealing with.

I love this book because you can apply these principals to whatever you’re dealing with so that you can live like a winner. It helps you to understand that you can’t do anything about how many losses you’ve taken before or all the times you’ve been defeated in your past, but you can take action and make the right moves today by applying the right information to your life so you can get your victory title back. My book let’s you know that you deserve to LIVE, FEEL, ACT, and LOOK like a winner! Not only that, but it teaches you HOW to. In order to win you first have to THINK like a winner — change your mindset and look at your situation from a different perspective. Instead of always seeing and magnifying the negative, capitalize on the positive despite how difficult it may be.

You must understand that it may not be easy, but you have to make up in your mind that you REFUSE to lose again. So whatever you have to do to give you that MOTIVATION, DO IT! My book helps you to live up to and defend your title as a champion! There’s no obstacle too great that you haven’t already been equipped to overcome. This is your WINNING SEASON! Take it and embrace IT!

Were there a lot of leftovers from what you wrote?

Jekalyn Carr: Yes, I couldn’t get everything in the book. I put as much as I could in this book. I believe that I will write another edition of the You Will Win book, and call it You Will Win 2.

The same week that your book comes out, you have a new album coming out. Was that the plan all along, or more of a coincidence?

Jekalyn Carr: Yes, that was the plan. I wanted to make an inspirational impact through both my album, One Nation Under God, and my book, You Will Win.

Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

Jekalyn Carr: Besides “You Will Win,” my favorite is “Stay With Me.” It reminds you of how important it is to keep God with you in your journey. This song challenges you to remind yourself of the value God brings to your life. It helps you to not lose sight of what’s really important, and that’s God.

2018 also brings your first film role. Do you have plans to act more?

Jekalyn Carr: Most certainly! Acting is another gift I’ve had in me. I’ve got inquiries to be in shows, movies and I’m excited to be able to be doing more of it.

Being that your 2018 includes writing, singing and acting, do you have a way of describing what you are? Do you prefer to be thought of as a particular kind of entertainer?

Jekalyn Carr: I see myself as a positive and inspirational person desiring to help people live their best life. Encouraging people to live a purposeful life so that they too can help others do the same! Kind of like a domino effect, because everyone deserves to live a happy, purposeful, successful, and prosperous life.

Is there a kind of job you haven’t yet had but are still hoping to do?

Jekalyn Carr: There’s actually several other areas I’m working on now to expand my horizon.

When not working, how do you like to spend your free time?

Jekalyn Carr: I love relaxation! Different things that helps me relax is going to the spa, going to the movie theater, getting my hair, nails, and pedicure done.

Have you ever met another person named Jekalyn?

Jekalyn Carr: Actually, I have had mothers come up to me and say they named their babies after me. I find that very cool.

Finally, Jekalyn, any last words for the kids?

Jekalyn Carr: My passion for the youth is so strong, because at one point there was so much negativity being spoken over this generation’s future. Basically, this generation at one point was counted out, but when I looked around and saw the young people, I saw they had so much potential to do and be better in life. Somehow they were feeling as though they didn’t have a purpose in life due to their age, their past, where they come from and etc. And so I want to encourage them to see and believe that it is possible for you to be great and successful even in your youth.

Success has no age, when it’s in you, it’s just in you. All you have to do is tap into it despite the odds, despite the negativity that you may hear, see or even feel sometimes. Everyone at some point has to face opposition on their journey. But it only has power over you if you give it power over you. I want you to know that you must know within yourself that you were created and born to succeed! And not just for you but for your family, your neighborhood, and even for the world.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER

Tags: Jekalyn, Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group, OWN Network, R&B, Trinity Broadcast Networks

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."