Tag Archive for: #shapingthefuture

The Local Skinny! ‘Shaping The Future’ Recap With Jayden Watkins

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Local minister, author, nonprofit CEO and youth leader Jayden Watkins woke up last Saturday at 4:30 a.m. to drive to the Raleigh area to pick up a generator that was rented for the festival he had organized, set to start at later that morning at 10 a.m.

Watkins, a senior at Henderson Collegiate, had organized the event, titled “Shaping the Future: A Community Empowerment Extravaganza” that included a bookbag giveaway, health screening and talent show.

Watkins arrived at the location to pick up generator, only to be told that he was too young to pick it up. Company policy apparently states that renters must be 18 or over. Watkins just turned 17.

Undeterred, Watkins said he carried on with his day, preparing for the event – sans generator.

“It was an amazing day,” he told WIZS’s Scout Hughes Thursday on The Local Skinny! “I’m grateful that everything came together so beautifully.”

The 500 bookbags were given out before the event ended, but Watkins said he’d follow up with more bookbags for those who didn’t get one on Saturday.

He estimated that about 800 people were in attendance, noting the diversity among participants. “How powerful we are if we come together,” he said.

Watkins embraces the “glass half full” philosophy and finds the good in everything.

“I still am passionate about the work God calls me to do,” he said.

The youth who took the stage beginning at noon did a great job, and there were plenty of local vendors on hand for people to shop with.

“Everyone was having fun. It was hot, but we were having fun!” he said.

As he begins his final year of high school, Watkins said no matter where he ends up in college, he’ll always support Henderson and work to make it better.

“I discovered my purpose in Henderson. I see the potential in Henderson…there are so many amazing people in Henderson, but they just need that little push to shape the future and live on purpose,” he said.

Follow Jayden Watkins on social media platforms or visit his website at www.jaydenwatkins.com to learn about ways to volunteer with or donate to his nonprofit Higher is Waiting.

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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.)