Wednesday Wonder Woman: Cherese “Talena Skye” Bracey

Indie gospel rap artist, Cherese “Talena Skye” Bracey is God’s daughter and a princess of the King, she unapologetically declares. Born in Manhattan and raised in Jersey City, the Chill Town native is on a mission to free the captives. Some refer to Talena Skye as a lyrical preacher as she raps the gospel while delivering her messages in a bold, authoritative way.

Talena Skye (pronounced Ta-lay-na) chose this as her artist name as a rebirth of a new beginning from a life filled with many dark days. She adds “Skye” to her name as a reminder to always keep her head towards the sky, looking to God for help through trials and tribulations. The gospel rapper is no stranger to struggle, hard work, and perseverance. She ministers hope for the hurting and the importance of staying in faith and trusting God.

Talena is not ashamed to be radical for Christ as she boldly states in her newest release, “Something 2 Say,” which was inspired by world events that sparked the strong lyrics igniting the fire toward the kingdom of darkness. Soon to be released, her new EP is called “Arise,” inspired by Isaiah 60.

She overcame many struggles as a child. Talena is a survivor of a brain tumor that almost left her blind. She was a victim of a hit and run accident in which the car was totaled from the passenger side from where she sat. She survived without a scratch from the crash. Talena Skye is also a survivor of domestic violence. Today she advocates for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. As a child, she would escape the cold atmosphere around her by writing songs at the age of 8 years old and reading her favorite books. Storybooks were a way of escape from the real world for her. It allowed her to imagine a fun world away from her own. “Alcoholism is a disease that many don’t believe can harm the self-esteem and life of a child. It can be a vehicle used by hell to drive through the doorway of a person’s spirit that can cause destruction,” says Talena Skye. She suffered much physical abuse at her father’s hands due to his uncontrollable habit that nearly tore her family apart.

Her dad’s addiction and abusive reign came to a halt as he suffered a stroke that nearly left him completely disabled. Her mom, who was her dad’s caregiver, passed away from cancer, and now Talena Skye resume’s the role of caretaker for her dad. “Being responsible for my dad’s well-being has been a challenge emotionally for me, especially since losing my mom has been added to my plate. However, God is a healer in every way! I am walking the path of forgiveness and have a better relationship with my dad since God has healed me of the hurt I endured. Jesus will mend your broken heart if you let him!” says Talena.

Today she is the founder of The Reesie Reader & Bookie Literacy Club for kids and created the character mascots, Reesie Reader (the girl who loves to read) and Bookie (the king of Book world). The literacy club gave close to 10,000 storybook donations to kids who needed them the most, helping them make friends with books. In 2009, she started her business Reading Reaps Rewards Early Childhood Enrichment program. The program teaches children how to read while building learning activities around books for enrichment. She is the author of three children’s books and was given the opportunity to meet Tory Burch at an entrepreneur women’s mentoring event. Tory purchased copies of her first book, Storytime Friends, to give to children during a Christmas event. She is currently seeking to make her books into animation films.

Her third book Reesie Reader Little Entrepreneur, teaches kids gems of becoming an entrepreneur. She wrote and produced a kid’s song featured in the book called “Story Time Friends” that was sung by her cousins, “The Story Time Friends Crew.” The song promotes loving to read and making friends with books while teaching children that reading helps you become a leader. The crew, Christina, Shawn, and Daniel Robinson, who were 7, 8, and 12 at the time, are young adults today and doing well. The crew sang for children and distributed books at an annual Book-nic event. Talena Skye is also a voice-over talent, making people laugh with many character style voices from men and women voices in the style of Egyptian, Italian, Spanish, African, and Indian to many kid styles. Meet the artist and author below. 

 

Christina: What is your SwagHer? What makes Talena, Talena?

Talena: I am a gospel rapper who loves to make a difference in the lives of hurting people. Helping others succeed is my mission; winning souls for Christ brings joy to my life when the kingdom of darkness loses a soul.

Christina: Tell us about your upcoming EP, “Arise.” What inspired it, and how was the process from start to finish?

Talena: I’ve been through so many struggles, and my gratitude to God is allowing Him to use me for His purpose. I am a woman who isn’t afraid to speak up for things that need to be said on behalf of God. Jesus loves everyone, but everyone doesn’t love Jesus. He shed His blood for all of humanity, and by exiting Him from the world wastes the very blood that was shed for our eternal life. “Arise” in scripture says arise and come forth. Regardless of the ashes of my life’s struggles, I chose not to run from God but to Him. Isaiah 60 inspired me to allow God to use me as a voice in the kingdom among many others and to speak up when He inspires me to do so. I have had some issues and setbacks, but I am pressing forward with God’s help. I will arise and let my light shine regardless of what people say about me or what the enemy sends my way! I pray my transparency and testimony will inspire others and save lives.

Christina: What is your favorite scripture, and why?

Talena: Luke 10:19 because God gives us authority in His Word as believers. When I speak this scripture with faith, it lets the enemy know he will not win in my life! Through God’s Word, we have power over hell and when we recognize this power, the enemy is defeated in our lives.  

Christina: You are the founder of The Reesie Reader & Bookie Literacy Club. What did you decide to open this up for kids? 

Talena: I wanted to create a program to give books to kids and provide exciting storytime events for children, especially those who needed them the most. My mission is to help children make friends with books. Reesie Reader and Bookie are reading role model mascots I created to bridge the education and entertainment gap. 

Christina: Have you always loved to read and write, being that you are a published children’s author?

Talena: Yes! Since I was a child, storytime has been a comforting tool. Whenever I was sad, I would read my favorite stories, Cinderella being my most favorite, and imagine myself in the book on adventures. Storytime was my world away from home. I loved writing stories and poems. I wrote three children’s books by Cherese Bracey available online featuring my reading characters. My third book, Reesie Reader Little Entrepreneur, features a song I wrote to promote reading called “Storytime Friends,” which is also available online.

Christina: Since gospel-rap is such a specific genre of music. What made you decide to rap for gospel instead of hip-hop?

Talena: God should be involved in all we do. I love different styles of music, including the clean versions of Hip Hop and rap. My inspiration is to bridge the gap between the two to glorify God with my music. I want to share God-inspired messages to reach people by using a popular music vehicle in the world today. 

Christina: Who or what motivates you daily?

Talena: Jesus Christ. He is the author and finisher of my faith.

Christina: How do you find the time to write and record music, write books, and run a literacy club? What is a day in your life like?

Talena: I set aside time in my day to attend to what’s important that I work on and try not to allow distractions from my goals. My spare time is spent building and perfecting my business as well as my music ministry.

Christina: Do you have any upcoming projects or events you would like our readers to know about?

Talena: My video “Mama” featuring Be Cleare Allen will soon be released. It was written as a tribute to my mom, who died from cancer. The song features Be Cleare Allen, who also lost her mom to cancer.  I hope to encourage those who suffered a loss to be inspired, have faith, and never give up on God. My EP and video for my song “Something 2 Say” will be released by the new year. 

Christina: Is there anything else you would like to share?

Talena: I want the world to know being a Christian is not about religion but having a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Some Christians make it hard for people to accept Christianity because of too much judgment from the church. We are commanded to love one another regardless of their ways because love is a Christian trademark. If we don’t have love, then how can we say we are Christians when Christ is love, case and point.

 

Connect with Talena:

Website: www.readingreapsrewards.org , www.talenaskye.org 

Instagram:  @readingreapsrewards   , @talenaskye