Karen Jackson
2014 Stellar Women of Gospel Honoree
Although Karen Jackson has been a part of the Gospel Music industry for more than 13 years, she wasn’t always a “Gospel Girl.” Karen was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood. She never thought of working in the music industry; she wanted to be a counselor. Karen earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Fisk University, and entered a Master’s Counseling program.
Little did she know that God was about to redirect her steps. Karen needed a job during the day, since her classes were held in the evening. A friend told her about a marketing coordinator job supporting EMI Gospel and Dexterity Sounds, Bishop T.D. Jakes’ record label. It came down to Karen and one other person for the job. Karen was given the position because the other candidate wore too much perfume.
Karen focused on marketing and branding, but was soon given responsibilities in A&R and finance administration as well. Now, as Director of Marketing and Artist Development for Motown Gospel, Karen oversees all creative, including marketing plans for artists, photo shoots, video shoots, packaging, television production, publicity and all branding of Motown Gospel.
She has worked to market and create brand awareness for artists ranging from Heather Headley, The Clark Sisters and Aaron Neville, to Donald Lawrence & The Tri City Singers, Kierra Sheard and Smokie Norful. She has also guided albums and artist like forever JONES and VaShawn Mitchell, Tasha Cobbs, Tye Tribbett, Myron Butler and Anita Wilson.
Karen loves working with Gospel artists. She is motivated by creativity and the creative process; by the possibility of what can be.
But her creative journey has not always been a smooth one. Karen didn’t learn how to read until the 9th grade. She had managed to skate through all those years until she was identified as being dyslexic. Her Mom, a speech pathologist, and her 9th grade teacher taught her how to read. The first book she read was The Great Gatsby, and she’s been reading everything she could get her hands on ever since.
She also was diagnosed at the age of 35 with Attention Deficit Disorder. While the ADD makes it difficult for her to stay focused for a long period of time, Karen has learned how to be still.
She explains it this way: “The thing about Gospel music is this: it not only takes time – it takes God. Take time to listen to God. And slow down and really understand it’s Him. When I really sit and listen, the process doesn’t get any faster, but I see with clarity and my steps are solid. We need to seek wisdom… it’s instrumental in what we create.”
Karen encourages people to take their time – take time to learn, take time to feel, take time to make mistakes and learn from them. Learn how to celebrate the accomplishments of others. Be true to yourself and what it is that you bring to the industry.
Karen has not forgotten some wisdom her father shared with her many years ago: “My dad taught me that you can either run through life and not see anything, or you can walk through life and enjoy every single step.”
Karen plans to enjoy each day God grants her as she continues to focus on developing the musical careers of amazing artists in the Gospel Music industry.
Little did she know that God was about to redirect her steps. Karen needed a job during the day, since her classes were held in the evening. A friend told her about a marketing coordinator job supporting EMI Gospel and Dexterity Sounds, Bishop T.D. Jakes’ record label. It came down to Karen and one other person for the job. Karen was given the position because the other candidate wore too much perfume.
Karen focused on marketing and branding, but was soon given responsibilities in A&R and finance administration as well. Now, as Director of Marketing and Artist Development for Motown Gospel, Karen oversees all creative, including marketing plans for artists, photo shoots, video shoots, packaging, television production, publicity and all branding of Motown Gospel.
She has worked to market and create brand awareness for artists ranging from Heather Headley, The Clark Sisters and Aaron Neville, to Donald Lawrence & The Tri City Singers, Kierra Sheard and Smokie Norful. She has also guided albums and artist like forever JONES and VaShawn Mitchell, Tasha Cobbs, Tye Tribbett, Myron Butler and Anita Wilson.
Karen loves working with Gospel artists. She is motivated by creativity and the creative process; by the possibility of what can be.
But her creative journey has not always been a smooth one. Karen didn’t learn how to read until the 9th grade. She had managed to skate through all those years until she was identified as being dyslexic. Her Mom, a speech pathologist, and her 9th grade teacher taught her how to read. The first book she read was The Great Gatsby, and she’s been reading everything she could get her hands on ever since.
She also was diagnosed at the age of 35 with Attention Deficit Disorder. While the ADD makes it difficult for her to stay focused for a long period of time, Karen has learned how to be still.
She explains it this way: “The thing about Gospel music is this: it not only takes time – it takes God. Take time to listen to God. And slow down and really understand it’s Him. When I really sit and listen, the process doesn’t get any faster, but I see with clarity and my steps are solid. We need to seek wisdom… it’s instrumental in what we create.”
Karen encourages people to take their time – take time to learn, take time to feel, take time to make mistakes and learn from them. Learn how to celebrate the accomplishments of others. Be true to yourself and what it is that you bring to the industry.
Karen has not forgotten some wisdom her father shared with her many years ago: “My dad taught me that you can either run through life and not see anything, or you can walk through life and enjoy every single step.”
Karen plans to enjoy each day God grants her as she continues to focus on developing the musical careers of amazing artists in the Gospel Music industry.
