Children are always watching. They see the things we do, the choices we make, and, if given the right environment, they often reflect those lessons back to us in ways both unexpected and extraordinary. Let me tell you about four young girls I am fortune know —Darryn, the eldest, and her three younger sisters, Lovey, Drew, and Grace—who took what they’ve been observing in their family and turned it into an act of hope.
Their parents, Chris and Takia Jennings, have always lived by a quiet, unwavering mission: to create, to collaborate, and to contribute. As co-founders of the Hope City Foundation, Chris and Takia embody the principle of Learn, Earn, and Return in their everyday lives. It’s not something they preach; it’s something they do. Chris, a former music producer turned brand strategist, and Takia, the anchor of their home, have built more than a family. They’ve built a space where creativity, stewardship, and love can flourish.
Their daughters have been watching.
What began as an idea—four sisters wondering how they could contribute to the mission they’ve grown up around—quickly turned into something tangible. Together, they decided to write. Not to sing, not to play instruments, but to create lyrics—stories set to melody. Using AI tools, which provided the voices and music, their words became songs. Over time, those songs became a Christmas album.
This was no small task. Darryn led the way, but each sister contributed. They collaborated—sharing ideas, building on one another’s creativity, and putting their thoughts into something real. Through the process, they learned the power of words and creation. They developed a skillset, refining their ideas into something beautiful and cohesive. And in doing so, they earned something intangible but invaluable: the experience of creating together as sisters.
What makes this story even more special is what they did next. Without hesitation, the sisters donated the intellectual property of their album to the Hope City Foundation. They took their creation—the product of their time, effort, and talent—and gave it back to something larger than themselves.
This is the essence of what their family lives by: learning, earning, and returning. The Jennings girls created something uniquely theirs, but they understood the value of giving it away, of letting it serve others.
In the book of Genesis, we’re reminded that we are made to create: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). These four young girls not only created but collaborated with one another and contributed their work in a way that reflects the very principles their parents have quietly lived. They weren’t told to do this. They saw it. They felt it. And they acted.
It’s a reminder that environments matter. When children see hope in action—when they see love, service, and creativity intertwined—it becomes a part of them. They embody it. Watching Darryn, Lovey, Drew, and Grace work together to create this album is proof of that. They didn’t just make music. They created a message, one built from their hearts and intended to spread hope.
And hope, at its core, isn’t just something you talk about. It’s something you do.
The Jennings sisters remind us of this. In their quiet, collaborative effort, they’ve shown us how powerful it can be to observe, to act, and to give. They created. They earned through learning and growth. And they returned what they built—an offering of hope that now belongs to the world.
From our family at Hope City to yours, may this season be filled with love, light, and the hope these four girls so beautifully share with the world.
Happy Holidays and enjoy the music!
To listen and support:
• Stream the HopeCity Records album Once Upon A Christmas on iTunes
• Make a Donation to HopeCity Foundation.