From Getting Booed Off Stage to Owning The Stage. This is The Story of Zaire Whitaker
When Zaire Whitaker walked through the doors of Shelene Huey-Booker’s sanctuary, he had no idea that he was stepping into a moment that would reignite the passion and purpose God had placed within him. What seemed like an ordinary decision to join a program turned out to be the catalyst for transforming fear into faith and silence into song.
Years before, Zaire’s journey with music had hit a wall. After a humiliating experience of being booed off the stage at a talent show, he put his gift on hold. The shame and fear silenced his voice for seven long years. He stopped singing, stopped believing, and retreated into a shell of self-doubt.
But God had a different story in mind.
Breaking Through Fear with Faith
Zaire’s turning point came when he joined Youth Utilizing Power and Praise (YUPP), a nonprofit founded by Shelene Huey-Booker. YUPP exists to provide a safe space where young people of color can explore and express their God-given talents. Shelene, with her nurturing spirit and unwavering belief in every child’s potential, saw the spark within Zaire and refused to let it fade.
"I stopped singing for seven years. She kind of broke me out of my shell. She was like, ‘Come on, boy, Sing!!!’ The first time I met her, I cried because I was that scared, but she and the program have been great," Zaire recalls.
With Shelene’s encouragement, Zaire faced his fears and stepped back onto the stage. What started with tears of fear transformed into a flood of praise and confidence. Through YUPP, Zaire didn’t just reclaim his voice; he learned to use it to praise God, uplift others, and connect hearts through song.
The Power of a Nurturing Community
Shelene Huey-Booker’s mission through YUPP is more than just about music. It’s about providing a community of safety, support, and faith where young people can thrive. In a world where young people of color often face systemic challenges, YUPP offers them a space to be seen, heard, and encouraged.
By integrating performing arts, mentorship, and faith, YUPP has empowered hundreds of students like Zaire to step into their potential. Shelene’s belief in each young person’s worth helps break the chains of fear, insecurity, and discouragement. It reminds them that God has given them unique gifts—gifts meant to be shared with the world.
From Silence to Impact
Today, Zaire no longer hesitates. He doesn’t just take the stage; he owns it. He sings with confidence, praises with joy, and connects with his community through his God-given talent. His story is a testament to what happens when faith meets opportunity and when community meets courage.
Your Support Makes Stories Like Zaire’s Possible
At The Witness Foundation, we are proud to support Black Christian leaders like Shelene Huey-Booker, whose work through YUPP changes lives. Your generosity fuels programs that provide second chances, nurture young talent, and create lasting change.
When you give to The Witness Foundation, you’re not just funding a program—you’re helping young people like Zaire discover their purpose, reclaim their gifts, and thrive in faith.
Join Us in Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders and be part of more stories of hope, courage, and transformation.
