BIOGRAPHY IN THE BEGINNING… Alot of talent has come out of the small town of Gary, Indiana. Academy award winning actor Morgan Freeman, soul singers Jesse Powell, Kym Mazelle, and Deniece Williams, the famed Jackson 5 and... Carolyn Jackson! Born third oldest of fourteen children, Carolyn has fond childhood memories of playing basketball after school with classmates Jackie and Tito of the relatively then unknown Jackson 5 and relentlessly studying music and her key instrument, the trumpet. As a teenager, Carolyn regularly performed in various local bands and created quite a buzz in the local newspapers. By age 18, a fateful meeting with Barbara Roy, lead singer of famous disco group Ecstasy, Passion, & Pain would change the course of young Carolyn's life forever. Barbara asked Carolyn to tour with the band and she jumped at the chance! With the blink of an eye, she was off to New York City where she would soon tour all over the world with the famed group for more than 3 years. After the group disbanded, Carolyn settled in Baltimore, Maryland where she gave birth to her one and only son Paul-Michael, and began regularly attending church. Under the tutelage of the late, great Pastor Venora Hammond at Word Of Faith Cathedral, Carolyn gave her life to the Lord. Often working by the side of Pastor Hammond, God began revealing His word to Carolyn and showing her many remarkable things. BEATING THE ODDS… In 1989, Carolyn decided to pursue one of her life long dreams of becoming a teacher. Excited about the possibility of providing a better life for her and her son, she humbly enrolled at Morgan State University and vigorously began pursuing a bachelors degree in Music Education. Despite the nay-sayers and the obvious demand for physical endurance, Carolyn also joined the legendary Morgan State University Marching Band. Under the direction of Melvin Miles, Carolyn was put to the test week after week. The band would travel up and down the east coast, delighting football fans with their unique half time show. They would also rehearse endlessly on the Morgan campus, perfecting dance steps, fine tuning the ever changing Top 40 hits, and stylizing it's famous marching style. Carolyn has bittersweet memories of driving her 1978 Thunderbird to class each day. With extreme determination, Carolyn attended class faithfully even after the transmission began to fail in the car. She remembers lugging her toolbox, getting under the hood, and reparing the car herself many times! While at Morgan, Carolyn befriended her math teacher, who unknown to Carolyn at the time, was just beginning a ministry. Carolyn soon began attending her new friend's church services and helping out wherever she could. It was during this time that Pastor Shirley Russell would play a critical role in Carolyn's life. In the early 90's, God began dealing with Carolyn heavily in the realm of the supernatural. Carolyn began to dream prophetic dreams, utter prophecies in the name of the Lord, and preach the Gospel. Experienced in this area, Pastor Russell became a great mentor and spiritual teacher for Carolyn. She ordained Carolyn as an Evangelist and helped launched her into ministry. Carolyn began preaching with fire, passion, and conviction. Many gave their lives to the Lord during Carolyn's spirit filled sermons. Her son Paul-Michael vividly remembers the day Carolyn ministered salvation to her ailing father over the telephone as he lay hundreds of miles away on life support. Carolyn remembers the night the Lord confirmed to her in a dream that he successfully entered Heaven. Carolyn eagerly anticipates seeing him again and laying that very special crown at Jesus' feet. In 1993, Carolyn graduated from Morgan State University with a Bachelors Of Science degree in Music Education. She also graduated as an esteemed member of Tau Beta Sigma and Alpha Nu Omega sororities. On that monumental graduation day, Carolyn served as a role model to many of her friends and to an entire generation of women, proving that with the help of God, a 38 year old single mother can beat the odds by returning to school and accomplishing her dream. ACCOMPLISHMENTS… For the next 14 years, Carolyn would go on to teach and touch the lives of numerous children at all grade levels. She has taught all academic subjects and even made history as the first female band director of Hertford County High School during her brief stay in North Carolina. She even had the privilege of having her very own son as a student! She has served as minister of music for many churches, often breaking down barriers with her progressive, contemporary style of gospel music. She has continued to preach the gospel, each time ministering with the same great zeal as her initial sermon. She has grown remarkably in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, most notably in prophecy, speaking in tongues, the gift of interpretation, and healing. She has also blessed many people with her anointed trumpet selections and infectous, bubbly personality. It has been said that a kind word from Carolyn and a quick flash of her familiar smile will turn your worst day into your best! TRIALS & SETBACKS… Carolyn is an incredibly strong and extremely resilient woman. With every test of her faith, she has held strong to God's word and has overcome every obstacle put in her path. She vividly remembers two life changing obstacles that God has delivered her from that she will never forget. In 2001, while struggling to provide for herself and her son, she lost her job and was evicted from her home within days of each other. This forced her to live with friends and trust in God to rebuild her financial life. Looking back, Carolyn thanks God for this experience because it has strengthened her faith tremendously and it proves that with God's help you can bounce back from anything. Whenever asked about this experience, she often quotes Romans 8:28. During those hard times, she always knew that all things (good or bad) were working together for her ultimate good. She knew in her heart that she truly loved the Lord and she knew beyond any shadow of doubt that she was truly called and elected by God. Within 1 month, she had found a new job and a new place to live. God is amazing! In 2004, Carolyn would face her biggest challenge yet... Breast cancer. She passionately calls this test her "Job Experience" as she remembers God actually allowing her to physically hear much of the spiritual conversation between Him and the enemy regarding her affliction. The Lord, in all his infinite wisdom, guided her to the hands of skilled surgeon, Dr. Lenox Dingle who performed a successful surgery. He proudly proclaimed that all of the cancer cells were removed and that they would never return. Again, God is amazing! SOUNDING THE ALARM… Fast-forwarding to 2007, Carolyn is now the associate pastor at Peace Christian Center Church in Merrifield, VA alongside pastor and founder Jackie Russell. First meeting in 2002, Pastor Russell and Carolyn quickly became great friends and share an unquenchable love for the word of God. Carolyn has lived a remarkable life. Glorifying God in all of her triumphs and setbacks, Carolyn has no regrets. She feels that every event in her life has led her to this point. She joyously proclaims that her time of destiny is NOW! With the release of her debut album, "Sounding The Alarm", Carolyn is excited about spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and his fast approaching return through the ministry of this album. She smiles to herself when she takes the time to think of how much God is at work in this album. Her beloved son, who has been by her side through many storms, executive produced this project. He co-wrote and produced every song on the album! Her dear friend Barbara Roy, who also gave her life to the Lord many years ago, is featured on her first single, "It's Already Done (In The Spirit)". And last but not least, her surgeon Dr. Dingle, is also an integral part in sales and promotion! It truly is amazing how God has navigated Carolyn's life. She looks to the future with a Holy Ghost boldness because she knows that God is truly in control and the best is yet to come.