Gayla James was born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. She is the 2025 Gospel Choice Music Award Urban Inspirational Artist of the Year. Nominated for Gospel Image Award Artist of the Year for her new Album "Heart N Soul".Nominated for South Florida Contemporary Artist of the Year. Her music speaks to the soul and inspires the spirit.

15 music projects and 4 CD projects independently Composed all of her songs Music heard nationwide on all major platforms Shared the stage with many icons of gospel and secular music Performed on Dr. Bobby Jones' Gospel Presents twice Featured in numerous magazines 2026 Black Rose Award Winner

Nominated for 2026 Florida Gospel Music Awards - Female Artist Of The Year

2026 TGMEA - (National Female Soloist Artist of The Year) &(National Inspirational Artist of The Year)

Nominated for 10 2026 Prayze Factor Music Awards

Nominated for 2026 Gospel Sounds Music Awards - Female Artist Of The Year

Nominated 6 2026 Rhythm Of Gospel Award

Winner of 2026 Lee Pitts Live Person of the Year Award

gaylajames.james1@gmail.com

www.gaylajames.com

Minister Ernest L Zackery Jr.

ZACKKEYS PIANOMAN I am a native of Dallas, Texas. I have 30 years of experience in music. I am currently a musician at Canaan Baptist Church. Also produced and release my first EP in September of 2019.

After releasing my EP, i released several singles. "When You Open My Eyes", "Love Lifted Me", "Zackkeys Christmas Medley", "Alpha and Omega", and "So Grateful". I was nominated for 3 awards by the Prayze Factor Music Awards in 3 categories and they are: Urban Solo Artist of The Year, Alternative Solo Artist of the Year, and Rhythm and Praise Solo Artist of the Year. Also, I released a new album 8/9/25 called "Hymns of Inspiration. Music is my passion and I enjoy sharing my spiritual gift to minister to others and to uplift the Kingdom of God.

www.ernestlzackeryjr.com

On August 3, 1997, Sis. Stephanie Hughes' life was forever changed when she was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison. What appeared to be the end of her story became the beginning of God's redemptive work in her life.Over the last 27 years, God has taken Sis. Stephanie on a remarkable journey of deliverance, healing, discovery, and restoration.

Today, she is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a devoted mother of two children, and grandmother to three wonderful grandchildren. She is currently pursuing doctoral studies with a focus on Women's Trauma and Addiction Psychiatry, equipping her to better serve women who have found the courage to look toward Christ in their darkest moments.

Sis. Stephanie is the founder of Bee Close to Him, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting women impacted by incarceration, addiction, trauma, and life-controlling issues. Through mentorship, recovery support, faith-based programming, and community partnerships, the organization seeks to help women rebuild their lives and walk in lasting freedom.She is also the founder of Bee Close to Him Publishing, a publishing ministry created to share testimonies, discipleship resources, and Christian educational materials. All proceeds from the publishing house are directed toward supporting women connected with the Princess

Within ministry as they transition from incarceration back into their communities.Sis. Stephanie recently relocated to Ashland, Kentucky, where she attends Community Faith Outreach Church under the pastoral leadership of Pastor and Sis. Easterling. She has had the privilege of ministering at the Overcome Conference,

The Church and Mental Health Summit, and as a member of the National Princess Within Prison Conference Team. Through these opportunities, she ministers to women walking the same road she once traveled.She also serves as a representative of Princess Within at the Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women, conducting monthly services and Bible studies where many women have experienced revival, healing, and renewed hope through Jesus Christ.

If you would like to hear more of Sis. Stephanie's testimony, you can find her story featured on Episode 10 of The Pillar Diaries on Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify.