ERIK SANZENBACH / L’Observateur / October 14, 2000

LAPLACE – Yolanda Jackson is one busy woman.

When she isn’t singing praises to God with her gospel choir, she is working as an accountant for Tulane University. When she isn’t doing that, she isdelivering L’Observateur newspaper twice a week to the residents of Reserve in the early, early morning hours.

When asked what she does in her spare time, Jackson laughed.

“If and when I can, I like to read and sleep,” said Jackson.

Most of all, though, Jackson loves to sing gospel music.

Since she was 3 years old Jackson has been spreading the word of God with her magnificent voice.

“I do like other kinds of music,” Jackson admitted, “but I feel more comfortable singing gospel. It is in my spirit to sing gospel.”Last night, Jackson and her choir, the Nineveh Baptist Church Choir, were the featured artists at the fall concert of the Loyola gospel choir, Genesis.

“I am so excited about this,” said Jackson.

She performed three solos with Genesis and sang one song with her choir, which has 75 members.

Jackson and her choir were asked to perform at the concert because of member of Jackson’s church, Helen Cooper, happened to be the advisor for the Genesis gospel choir. Cooper was so impressed with Jackson and thechoir’s singing that she invited them to the Loyola concert.

Originally from Metairie, Jackson moved to Reserve in the early 90s. While inReserve she attended Xavier Prep High School, commuting to New Orleans every day.

Her family house burned down in 1997, and she, her mother, brother, sister and three nieces moved to a house in the Carrollwood subdivision in LaPlace.

She also attended Dillard and Tulane universities, where she studied nursing.

“I took nursing, and I ended up in accounting,” said Jackson. “That just showsyou that the Lord has other plans for you.”Jackson’s philosophy is summed up in her favorite gospel song, “My Times.””The song says that even if you think you are in control of your life, God is God and everything you do in life is part of His plan,” said Jackson, “and he may have other plans for you. So just go with the flow.”Going with the flow is exactly what Jackson is doing these days. She wouldlike to make gospel singing a career. So far she has been a back-up singer togospel star Joey East and was a member of the group, the Gospel Carolettes.

She also sings at weddings and banquets.

“Right now, the road is going in that direction,” said Jackson.

Besides spreading the gospel, Jackson wants to get back on the road and travel. While working with the Gospel Carolettes she performed at a jazzfestival in Umbria, Italy, in 1988.

“That was so beautiful,” Jackson said of the trip. “I really want to go back toEurope.”With her jobs at Tulane and L’Observateur, her plate is pretty full. But she isfull of energy and good spirits.

“I’m a night owl,” she explained. “I’ve got a lot of energy, so throwing thepapers is OK with me.”Even though she lives in LaPlace, people on her Reserve route know her personally and are always waiting for her to throw that paper on their front porch.

“It is kind of nice.” Jackson said. “Sometimes my mother even comes andhelps me.” She smiled. “Throwing papers is my exercise.”When she isn’t singing, throwing papers or counting numbers, Jackson likes to read historical dramas and books by African-American female authors.

She also loves to bake and claims to bake the “best cheese cake in the River Parishes.”But gospel singing is Jackson’s true calling.

“The most important thing is to uplift people,” said Jackson. “I want tocontinue to sing my praises to God.”

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