Tag Archive for: #higheriswaiting

TownTalk: 2nd Annual ‘Shaping the Future’ Taking Shape For Aug. 8

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As plans take shape for the 2nd annual free community event on Saturday, Aug. 8 in downtown Henderson, organizer Jayden Watkins says the event has something for all ages.

It’s called “Shaping the Future: A Community Extravaganza,” and Watkins hopes to see youth and adults of all ages from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Breckenridge Street outside Perry Memorial Library to take in all the sights and sounds that go along with an event of this nature.

In addition to food trucks, a bouncy house, live entertainment, free health screenings and even a blood drive, Watkins said more than 600 bookbags – filled with school supplies – will be distributed during the event. And college students, take note: you can register for the chance to get a free laptop computer, he added.

A youth talent showcase gets underway at 12 noon, and Watkins said he’s hopeful that youth and young adults will contact him to join in the fun.

“If you know someone or if you… want to participate,” there will be a stage, microphones, the works, Watkins explained on Tuesday’s TownTalk. Some of the acts include dance and spoken word, among others.

Planning an event for the whole community is no small task, and Watkins said he’s still looking for donations of school supplies to go along with the very generous donation of 3,000 items given by House of Toyz, one of two presenting sponsors. Margier White is the other presenting sponsor.

Those school supplies won’t pack themselves, so volunteers are needed Friday, Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. to fill bookbags.

Turning Point CDC is bringing its mobile learning lab, and a couple of event-decorating companies are pitching in with balloon installations and chairs to create a festive, comfortable atmosphere.

“Every detail of the event matters to me,” Watkins said.

Watkins, now 18, has accomplished a lot in a short time – in addition to being a minister, author, podcaster and youth organizer, he has formed and leads the non-profit Higher is Waiting.

So far, God’s plans for him have been in Henderson, his hometown.

“I am mission- and vision-focused,” he said, but added that in just a few weeks, his focus is most likely going to shift as he heads off to UNC-Chapel Hill.

He’s asked himself more than once how he’s going to balance being a college student and continue being involved in his community.

The answer, he says simply, is by being very discerning. He may not be able to say “yes” to everything God is putting in his path.

“He wants me to do them, but He doesn’t want me to do them now,” Watkins said.

And although he’ll be away at school, he said Henderson will always be close by – in his heart and mind.

“I have to go so I can grow,” he said. “I’m going to always come back to Henderson.

I may move because God wants me to grow and learn and explore, but I’m never going to forget my humble beginnings.”

Call or text Jayden at 252.425.0354, find him and his non-profit on Facebook or visit  https://jaydenwatkins.com/higher-is-waiting to learn more.

 

 

 

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TownTalk: ‘Young Voices for Change’ with Jayden Watkins

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Young people these days face unique challenges that parents and grandparents couldn’t have imagined encountering when they were that age – from mental health to drug abuse, lack of opportunities and gang involvement – just to name a few.

The nonprofit organization Higher Is Waiting, founded by minister and author Jayden Watkins – himself a teenager – is hosting an event on Sunday, Oct. 26 that Watkins said will have teens and young adults doing all the talking and the adults in the room listening.

It’s called “Young Voices For Change,” and it takes place at 3 p.m. in the Farm Bureau room of Perry Memorial Library on Breckenridge Street in Henderson.

Watkins said it will be a youth-led event, but all ages are invited. welcome and encouraged to attend.

Teens and young adults will share their stories, ideas and solutions for building stronger, safer communities, he said, while local elected and appointed officials – along with mentors – listen, engage and respond.

“We youth need support,” Watkins said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. He hopes the room is packed on Sunday – a full house will go a long way to demonstrate the community’s interest in hearing and learning about what young people are worrying about and thinking about, as well as finding solutions to those problems.

A series of speakers is scheduled to speak for a few minutes on a challenge that youth face in the community, as well as offer a possible solution. Following the speakers, a panel discussion will take place, giving members of the audience a chance to ask questions of the youth on the panel.

Watkins said he’s been to conferences and other events where youth are at the center of the conversation, but there are no youth involved in the program.

“You need to hear directly from youth,” Watkins said, so they can be a part of the problem-solving process.

“Together, we’ll witness the next generation lead the conversation toward hope, healing, and progress,” Watkins said. “Don’t miss this event as the next generation creates change by first using their voices.”

Watkins has been using his own voice in a number of ways for a number of years – as a minister, an author, founder of a nonprofit – and this year, as Student Body President his senior year at Henderson Collegiate.

When he established Higher Is Waiting, senior year seemed a long way off. With high school graduation looming, Watkins has been thinking about how the various programs he’s involved with will be sustained.

“The Lord hasn’t led me to that person yet,” he said of a successor. His involvement in planning youth events will continue, he said.

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Shaping the Future in Henderson & Vance County

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It’s called “Shaping the Future: A Community Empowerment Extravaganza” and Higher is Waiting Executive Director Jayden Watkins said it’s part back-to-school, part community gathering combined with a whole lot of fun.

“The purpose of the event is to bring the community together,” Watkins told WIZS’s Scout Hughes Monday.

Watkins, 17 and a rising senior at Henderson Collegiate, invites families from across the community to the event, which is taking place on Saturday, Aug. 9 in downtown Henderson in the area near the police department and Perry Memorial Library.

There will be backpacks loaded with school supplies that will be distributed and free health screenings, along with a street fair atmosphere filled with vendors and food trucks for everyone to enjoy, Watkins said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Watkins said he and Varonica “VV” Mitchell are going to co-host a talent show that is set to kick off at 12 noon.

“I welcome all ages,” Watkins said of talent show participants, whether they’re young or just young at heart – all are welcome.

Visit https://forms.gle/iWmCXjJZxEw9LXtP7 to sign up for the talent show.

Watkins said there’s still time to sign up to be a sponsor for the event.

Visit Higher is Waiting’s webpage at https://jaydenwatkins.com/higher-is-waiting and click on the sponsorship link.

“I still need more support,” he said. “That’s how we take it to the next level.”

Volunteers also are needed to help pack the backpacks on Friday, Aug. 8 and to help set up early Saturday morning. Contact Watkins at 252.425.0354 if you’d like to help make a donation of money, school supplies or if you’d like to volunteer.

Watkins has been nailing down details for this community event in between other activities he’s been busy with this summer, including preaching five times in the past week, participating in the Governor’s Page Program and another program at N.C. State University. He’s packing his bags for a 10-day residential experience for prospective journalism students at Princeton University. That’s on top of his “I Declare War” tour and cooking meals at the local shelter with his girlfriend.

“This is a vision God gave me,” he said. “Everything I do is to be obedient to God…at the end of the day, I simply want God to be pleased and proud.”

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(This information and embedded audio was orginally posted July 21, 2025.)

Free Community Forum Monday, May 5 Features Panel Discussions About Educational And Legal Rights

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Jayden Watkins, teen minister and founder of the local nonprofit Higher is Waiting is hosting a free community forum on Monday, May 5 to share information with young people and their families about their educational and legal rights.

The forum is called “EMPOWER Youself!” and will take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Perry Memorial Library. Watkins said it is designed to educate and equip youth, parents and community members with the knowledge of their rights in educational and legal settings.

“I’d love to see the room packed with youth, parents and community members,” Watkins said.

Watkins will serve as moderator as the forum presents two interactive panel discussions – one with local law enforcement and court officials who will provide insight into how the justice system works and the rights of individuals when interacting with law enforcement, and the other with experienced educators who will speak on student rights in school, classroom discipline and parent advocacy.

The goal is to create a safe, informative space where attendees can ask questions, gain understanding and leave feeling more confident, empowered and prepared to navigate real-life situations, Watkins stated.

Refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome.

Scheduled panelists include: Sgt. Brandon Barnes, Capt. Lloyd Watkins, Sr., Deputy Kendrick Wilkins, Magistrate Bratanya Simmons, Rita Jones, Dean Smith, Kendrick Vann and Earlene Bullock.