We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tembi Gray. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tembi below.
Hi Tembi, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
As a wife, mother, Music Educator and Entrepreneur, my relationship with Jesus Christ is the foundation of my purpose. I’ve come to understand that in Him, I have everything I could ever need. Through His guidance and strength, I am able to successfully fulfill the beautiful purpose He has designed for my life.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are passion, adaptability, and faith. My love for music and working with youth has been the driving force behind everything I do. Passion fuels your commitment and perseverance, especially when challenges arise. For those early in their journey, I advise finding what truly excites you—whether it’s a field, a cause, or a craft. Let that passion guide your decisions, and remember that your enthusiasm is contagious; it will inspire others around you.
The ability to adapt has been crucial, especially as the landscape of education and business evolves. From expanding into online education with The Young Musician’s University to shifting our business focus to meet the needs of our community, adaptability has allowed us to grow and stay relevant. My advice is to stay open to change and continuously seek out learning opportunities because you should never stop growing. Things are constantly changing, and being willing to evolve will not only keep you solution-oriented but also ahead of the curve.
My relationship with Jesus Christ has been the foundation of our journey, providing guidance and purpose. Faith has given both my husband and I the strength to move forward, even when the path wasn’t clear. For those starting out, I encourage you to find your purpose in Jesus. If you trust him he will become your source of strength and direction as well as keep you grounded. He’s proven to be our anchor during both the highs and lows of our journey.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
My husband and I have a heart for rural churches and their youth, especially since he grew up in a rural South Carolina community where he got his start in music. We are currently seeking rural churches to partner with to extend our online music education to the youth in their congregations. I founded a non-profit organization called GMG Music & Arts Foundation, and we’ve launched a campaign called ’20 in 50.’ This campaign aims to partner with 20 rural churches in each of the 50 states, providing youth ages 7-18 with access to comprehensive, online, self-paced music and media arts courses. Our goal is to reach and empower students in rural communities, giving them the opportunity to learn, explore, create, share, and connect through the transformative power of music and the arts. We are accepting applications now through November 1, 2024. If you are interested or know anyone interested in joining us in this initiative visit www.gmgmusicandarts.org/20-in-50
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ymunow.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ymunow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ymunow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tembi-gray/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ymunow
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1HB12iYuSc_fepKYK8usPg
- Other: https://gmgmusicandarts.org/20-in-50
