THE FOUNDA

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Ms. Jackie - Aunt Jackie

She answers to them all by the many youth and young adults who are now in and have been a part of the YDM Ministry.

She sang her first solo at the tender age of six, but it wasn’t until she joined The Alvin Dread Singers at age twenty two, a love affair for gospel music began and has lasted for thirty seven years.

Her recording career began with The Alvin Dread Singers where she lead two songs on their album, “Joy” and “Going Home”. She went on to present three choirs with their first recording; Ed Johnson & Praise Community Choir, Houston; Andre Lewis, Shreveport, La and Claudia Williams & The Voices of Christ, Austin, Tx.

She founded Jackie Smith & Divinity in 1984 and they were the first group from Houston to appear on Bobby Jones Gospel. She traveled to London, England and Paris, France with Bobby Jones & the New Life Singers.

Divinity recorded their first album entitled “Dance In Advance” which she composed and lead. Her next recording came when she produced Divinity’s CD, entitled “He's Done Enough”, also composed by her.

Founda - Nanny

After eighteen years with Divinity, she embarked on a new phase in gospel music with the emergence of her present singing aggregation, Jackie Smith & YDM (Youth Development Ministry). YDM is a Non-Profit youth organization with a 501 © (3) status.

Ms. Smith is the recipient of many awards including The Houston Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America - Houston 50 Gospel Legends Award; The Gospel Music Heritage Leadership Award, given by Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee and her most recent award, the 2013 Texas Gospel Music Excellence Legends Award.

Jackie has been very busy since retiring from the Houston Independent School District after thirty years of service. The time off has afforded her the opportunity to travel with YDM to many cities in the US and they became an International Choir when they toured London, England in October 2013.

Her work with and for youth and young adults has been nothing shy of excellent.