Jamela ‘GOD’s Queen’ Pettiford

“Born for such a time as this... Born to bring a song of deliverance and change to the nations” Jim SKY 

Jamela Pettiford began to sing at the tender age of 4 years old. Raised in the infamous Rondo community- Saint Paul, Minnesota. Born into a historic musical lineage including Oscar Pettiford- jazz Icon. Pettiford’s style of music influenced by gospel greats such as Mahalia Jackson, the Winans, and the Clark Sisters- traditional Black church infused with deep rooted soul. Jamela Pettiford learned at a young age from some of Minnesota’s best musicians and singers while attending youth community-based choirs to being casted in the first Mall of America commercial in 1992.  Throughout the years Jamela Pettiford has been featured in many bands and music groups joining the Big John Dickerson blues band in 2004, inducted into the “Minnesota Blues Society” Hall of Fame in April 2007. In partnership with community-based performing arts organizations, Ms. Pettiford has shared her gifts on the stage in many play productions and with various social justice impactors; Amiri Baraka in “Wise, Why’s, Y’s”, Dorothy Cotton & Bernice King -Youth Summit Atlanta, GA, Naomi Tutu -Youth Empowerment Summit with many more throughout the 40 years. Performing in song or as a psalmist, reciting poetry or ministering a word as a facilitator Jamela Pettiford is known for enriching the space with her mere presence and grace, add the gift of interpretive song only enhances the experience. Jamela Pettiford has produced music that can be found on all platforms with various artists including solo projects written by Jamela Pettiford also known as GOD’s Queen. 

While singing and performing will always be Jamela Pettiford’s first passion, yet not her only love- Ms. Pettiford has been blessed with many gifts, talents, and abilities. Developing specialized program services created to heal dually diagnosed mentally- ill chemically dependent homeless families has been the true hands and feet of the heart. In 2003, Ms. Pettiford began seeking to understand homelessness steeped in mental illness and chemical dependency. Intentionally designing unique cultural step by step services on how to live life knowing the “power within your purpose”- workshops with an objective to change hearts, redirect focus while building on self-love. In 2006, Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), seeking innovative young minds, nominated Ms. Pettiford for the highly competitive “Careership program”. Given the task to design restorative justice program service models for social service organizations serving 80% black and brown participants with 90% staff not reflecting the population served. During the Careership training Ms. Pettiford began to create a remedy for success to rebuild, restore, and realign marginalized families in the inner city. Gaining skills in DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) and Olweus Anti-Bullying certificate in partnership with Black Male Achievement U of M.  In 2011, Jamela Pettiford achieved a master’s degree from Minnesota Graduate School of Theology in the Clinical Christian Counseling Department. 

For over 20 years, Jamela Pettiford has worked in various capacities developing and sowing into people along the way. Playwriting for children in 3rd - 8thgrades purposefully building confidence by inspiring safe spaces using all aspects within theatre as a medium of self-expression and acceptance always infusing a love for learning.  Conducting full theatre productions such as “Mataifa, son of many nations” & “Stand: thru the ages” with students from Saint Paul Public schools and Freedom School enrichment program, all plays written and produced by Jamela Pettiford. Also, to having the highest employment/ engagement program numbers for African American single mother’s & families- first with New Foundations for over seven years, Second leading a staff in partnership with Ramsey County employment services for 2 years during the pandemic, with programs created and facilitated by Jamela Pettiford. 

In 2021, receiving an “UNBUTU” (I am, we are) award for community building and leadership from Ramsey County Birth and Equity department.  Jamela Pettiford is living her childhood dream of cross- pollinating talents with skill, weaving a tapestry of healing, self-reflection, affirming higher thinking, and the power of culture matters into each effort given.