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5 Questions with Shakeera Powell
- Connie C Walcott
- Feb 19, 2023
- 5 min read
“Appreciate the Past, Live in the Now and Take on the Future” is the philosophy that fuels Shakeera D. Powell as she takes on life’s journey. Twenty-four-year-old Shakeera is a past student of the Manchester High School and the University of the West Indies where she acquired a Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (Major) and Accounting (Major). Additionally, Shakeera is on a mission to inspire young Christians as she shares her journey through her Instagram blog and as the Vice President of The Joshua Generation Leaders (JGL) Community - an international non-profit Christian Community that strives to help young adults to “Know the Way, Go the Way, and Lead the Way- the way
being Jesus Christ”.
Tell a little about your educational journey
My educational journey started as a student at the Foundation Preparatory School in May Pen, Clarendon. I held several leadership positions and participated in extracurricular activities, including music, sports, and computer science. After several months of preparation, I was grateful to be accepted to my first choice, Manchester High, after completing my G.S.A.T. examination. My seven-year tenure at Manchester High truly moulded the leader and visionary I knew was inside me.
Like most students, my career choices changed each academic year. It was not until fourth form that I realized my passion for business, technology, and the arts, which led to my pursuit of subjects such as Principles of Business, Spanish, Information Technology, Management of Business, Sociology, and Entrepreneurship at the CSEC and CAPE levels. It was an honour to be awarded the CXC Merit Award for the fourth and eighth positions in Jamaica and the Caribbean, respectively, for CAPE Entrepreneurship II. My time at Manchester High also included triumph in music, where I served as the president of the three-time T.V.J. All Together Sing Choir. I later enrolled as an undergraduate at the University of the West Indies, where I completed my Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (Major) and Accounting (Major) with second-class honours in 2021.
What would you say is your greatest motivation?
Wow, that’s a tricky question to pinpoint one answer, but I would say “to see and experience all that God has for me.” We’ve heard many times that God’s plan is more significant than our own, and I honestly can attest to that. I’ve come to understand that to attain all God has for me, there are tasks/assignments that He would require me to complete to live an authentic and prosperous life that my family, friends, and those around me can benefit from.
I’ve always had a vision of what life can be like for me, and my desire to see that vision come to pass with God’s help is what drives me. I believe I’m called to make an impact in the lives of many individuals before I leave this earth, and even though I may not know all the steps to take - the thrill of finding out what’s next in my journey is motivation in itself for me.
How do you use your social media presence to inspire young Christians?
So just a quick backstory…over the past ten years, I found myself waking up at peak hours with new revelations from God and a burden to share so that someone would be encouraged. Sometimes I would be at my lowest, but God used those same revelations to keep me grounded. After some time, I realized how impactful it became. God told me that He could use every aspect of my journey as a blessing, so I shouldn’t shy away from sharing what I’ve learned and am learning in those low moments. My ministry platform, “Her Journey,” was birthed through this.
I’ve utilized my social media accounts, including Her Journey( @journeyingwither) on Instagram, to share the lessons I’ve learned during my relationship with God through inspirational posts/blog entries/reels/lives among other creative content pieces. My heart is drawn to individuals struggling to overcome parental wounds, disappointments, and trauma and who are determined to grow in their relationship with God. The scars of your past and present can be the building blocks for a great future. With this hope to heal, grow and learn, I wish to inspire others to intentionally take on their journeys with God and break generational curses by understanding their position and identity as a daughter/son of God.
Tell us about the “Joshua Generation Leaders (JGL) Community” and how other young Christians can become a part of this community.
The Joshua Generation Leaders (JGL), also known as the JGL Community, is an international non-profit Christian organization that seeks “ to establish a contagious community of world-changing, God-fearing, curse-breaking and truth-seeking youth and young adults who will walk in the conquering anointing of Joshua and ultimately possess the promises of God.” We create a space for young Christians to be vulnerable, to understand their God-given gifts/talents/abilities, to grow in leadership, and to know that they don’t have to do life alone!
We strive to accomplish this vision by hosting several workshops, bible studies, prayer meetings, business expos, outreach programs, and annual youth conferences for personal and spiritual development. My role as the Vice-President includes: overseeing the functions and delegation of our small group leaders, planning and executing our yearly events alongside our incredible president as well, and fulfilling my role as a director in developing plans to build the organization for the future continuously.
We accept new registrants throughout the year, and persons are welcome to sign up using the details provided on our Instagram or Facebook page @thejglcommunity. For more information, you can also email us at thejglcommunity@gmail.com.
What is one piece of advice you would leave with young Christians today?
Hmm... I'd probably tell them the main thing that shifted my relationship with God -"take the time out to understand and experience the true Character of God, and when you know it, BELIEVE IT. "
You may be wondering why I said this. I'll tell you using an example. Most young Christians express that they struggle with talking to God because they've made a mistake and battle with shame or guilt, which truthfully is a natural response. However, when we understand and believe one of the character traits of God is merciful, we can end the dance with condemnation by fighting the enemy's lie with God's truth. We can strengthen our relationship with God when we know who He is and open ourselves to learning more daily.
God is faithful, just, and creative and expresses his unconditional love towards us daily. He is a friend, a healer, a protector, a redeemer, and so much more. So my advice to all of us as Christians is to keep learning more about God so that we can become all who God wants us to be and fight the daily temptations of this world that seek to draw us far from Him.
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