Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Jenkins.
Hi Anthony, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story starts with my childhood and my parents introducing me to the piano and acting at the age of five. Little did I know then, they would be the keys to open many doors that I’ve walked through and have yet to enter. For example, at the age of five I booked my first commercial and at the age of 12, I won my first of many piano competitions. By the time I was 15 I’ve been in a movie, numerous commercials, co-wrote a play and provided music for it, won piano competitions, and played piano for some of the wealthiest people in Miami on Star Island. This exposure helped me to believe that there truly isn’t anything I can’t do.
My parents made sure to keep me balance while being somewhat busy, by putting me in flag football, basketball, and my childhood favorite, baseball. As you you know as I got older my interests needed to become more focal and I chose to direct more of my energy towards music. As an African American classically trained pianist, I didn’t see many like me, so I knew this was special. I began to practice a lot more and take pride in this skill. Once in high school I met a teacher that truly challenged me. See, I didn’t consider myself a “gospel musician” like most people did that look like me. I was intimidated by it, honestly. I needed to read music off of the sheet and I knew I couldn’t play by “ear”, as I thought. But my Senior year teacher, Mr. Howard, thought otherwise and gave me a cd by Kirk Franklin and told me to teach the class next period. Shocked and very reluctant, I put on my headphones and before I knew it, I was able to teach the class the gospel song I thought I couldn’t learn by ear. This unlocked a whole new skill for me and really just made me a more well rounded musician.
Later that year I took a trip to FAMU to audition for the Music Department and I was blessed with a Full Presidential Scholarship through music to attend Florida A&M University. This scholarship took care of tuition, books, room and board, and food. I was pretty much paid to go to college. My love for music has grown to an all time high. I was the accompanist for the FAMU Concert Choir, a musician for the FAMU Connection, and a musician at the local church Community of Faith. This was the time of my life where I was discovering who I was going to be. Once I graduated in 2005 I moved back down to South Florida where I taught the FAU Gospel choir for about two years and was a musician at The Faith Center in Sunrise, FL. My ultimate move was when I accepted the positions as Minister of Music at River of Life Christian Center in Orlando, FL at the age of 24. I moved to Orlando and began adulting, married my wife Hannah of now 12 years and had two amazing kids Skylyn (10) and Anthony (8). Now today, the church grew from a 300 seater building to now over 1500 seat building with two campuses, Orlando and Palm Bay.
My role went from Minister of Music to now Director of Worship Arts & Media. This journey has taught me so much but most importantly my faith has grown to know God as a faithful God. My father always told me since the age of five, that everything I touch will turn to gold. With God’s hand over my life, I have seen that come to pass. Thank you Jesus! Today at the age of 38 have expanded my reach from just inside of my church to now having started my own business, Greater Entertainment Llc. This is a media based company where we provide photography, videography, and consulting for all of your media needs. Lastly these opportunities have allowed me to go back to one of my first loves, acting. Just as my parents did, I’ve introduced acting to my children and lo and behold it pulled me back in as well. Now, both me and my son have tv/film agents in Atlanta and are actively working in the film industry by auditioning and booking jobs. Glory to God! I believe in positive energy and going for all that God has put in us. Greater is He that’s in us the he that’s in the world. I live by this. I believe this and God’s word is true.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In the beginning it was all gravy at the age of five right? But as an adult? Oh my Lord, I’ve made many many mistakes, but what I’ve learned through them is to take no loses only lessons. My parents were always there to help me and guide me even as an adult. The biggest hit in my life was losing both my mom and dad one year apart from each other. Them being such an integral part of my life I wasn’t sure how to navigate this on my own. But God never left me. He let me know that everything that has happened in my life prepared me for this moment right here. It prepared me to live and to stand as a husband, father, and a strong black man. I miss my parents more than anything but I’m so grateful for the time that God allowed them to be here on this side of heaven with me. Grief is a difficult thing to navigate through. Complicated and lonely. But I’m still here and I realized I have to take each day one step at a time. I got through the tough road and now I appreciate and cherish each day I’m breathing. I love harder, stress less, and take in every moment because I know nothing is promised. I’m grateful. Just grateful.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I like to call myself a creator. I love to create for others. Whether it’s music for a church service, videos for a bride, photography for a branding client or some super fun videos with my kids. I specialize in creating in the arts, video editing and creative thoughts. My slogan is “Do Great, Be Great”, it’s actually tatted on my arm. What sets me apart is the belief I have in myself and the authority I find myself walking in. Believe me, it’s not by my strength but by God alone. It’s Him in me, always remember that.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My family and legacy matters most to me. I want to make just as great an impact and greater in my kids than my parents to me. That’s a high standard to match but this is what matters to me. Every word I speak to them, every action they witness me take, and how I handle myself is important. Life is not just about me, it’s about how I can impact others along the way.
Contact Info:
- Email: anthony@greaterentertainment.org
- Website: www.greaterentertainment.org
- Instagram: @anthony_jenkinz & @greaterentertainmentllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajenkins82
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