She definitely has what the entertainment industry terms “the it factor,” both on and off stage.

Toby McKeehan recognized that. In 2004, the former dcTalk member now known as tobyMac signed Ayiesha to his label, Gotee Records. Now, three years later, her single “Happy” is on the Wow 2007 CD.

Ayiesha doesn’t credit her success to her own talent and hard work or even to the support of a man in her life. This 27-year-old single songstress is solely concerned with influencing others for the kingdom of God and stirring a little diversity into the mix while she’s at it.

Passion and Providence
Ayiesha has her musical, globetrotting family to thank for the colorful, culture-savvy personality. Born in Long Island, N.Y., she spent her childhood in the tropical paradises of Florida, Hawaii and Bermuda, the southern comforts of Georgia and the West-Mex culture of Texas.

She always knew God had a special purpose for her. Ayiesha and her siblings grew up regularly involved in church, often participating in choirs and ensembles. But what she had in routine and religion, she lacked in a relationship with her Creator.

Little did she know, her life was to take a 180-degree turn. At age 12, the conservative, hymn-singing Ayiesha visited a charismatic worship service where banners and flags were being waved by dancing believers. She was taken aback by their passion.

“I thought, God, I want that, you know?” Ayiesha says. “This was just something so fresh.”

Moved, the young girl accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and soon found herself writing worship songs. In 2001, Ayiesha released her first independent record. It’s first single, “Crazy,” received rave reviews in the Caribbean and on the East Coast. During a visit to the tropics, tobyMac heard it on Jamaican Radio Airwaves and subsequently signed Ayiesha to his label in 2004.

“I had my little star-struck moment,” she says of her first phone call from tobyMac. “It was crazy because I always said if I was going to shop my independent record for a deal, I’d want to be at Gotee. God had it mapped out from the beginning.”

And the accomplishments kept coming. In 2004, Ayiesha became the first female to win “Producer of the Year” from the Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards, where she also took home “New Artist of the Year” and “Contemporary Vocal Performance of the Year (Female).” In 2006, Gotee released Introducing Ayiesha Woods, and she was included in tobyMac’s Winter Wonder Slam tour.

But all the accolades and accomplishments mean nothing to Ayiesha if she’s not in line with God’s will.

“Shucks, the glitz and the glamour, all that stuff is fading. Only the things that I do for Christ are what last, and those are the things that really make me excited,” she says.

Brilliant Future
So what’s next for this 20-something sensation? In the near future she hopes to delve into more missions and ministry work. Ayiesha’s goals include getting further involved with music production, writing lyrics and a book, and speaking at conferences. Eventually, she hopes to start a family and launch a teen ministry with her future husband.

This February, Ayiesha is looking forward to the spotlight Black History Month will shine on the subject of diversity.

“Race is such a beautiful thing,” she says. “If we think we need diversity now, can you imagine what heaven is going to look like? It’s not segregated. It’s our responsibility to embrace one another’s cultures and learn and benefit from one another.”

And although she is hoping for a Valentine this year, Ayiesha is waiting on God to bring the right man into her life at the right time.

“We live in this microwave society,” she says. “We want everything in a hurry, but waiting is a part of the process, and it’s in that waiting when He molds us into what He wants us to be.”

Single and Scrumptious!
Does this Feb. 14 seem more like Singles Awareness Day than Valentine’s to you? If your calendar is empty (and even if it’s not!), Ayiesha encourages you to “make Jesus your Valentine” by gathering up some good food, great girlfriends, your favorite praise and worship CDs, and hosting a get-together.

“Do you want to talk about some serious intimacy? That’s what will be going on when you girls worship,” Ayiesha says. Check out some of her favorite dessert recipes below, perfect for a Valentine’s Day “just desserts” gathering!

Banana Bread: A Bermudan Favorite
“My friends and family come running over for it every time!”
What You Need
3 ripe bananas, mashed (The riper the better!)
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup chopped nuts

What to Do
Cream butter and sugar. Add beaten eggs, mashed bananas and then the rest of the ingredients. Bake in a greased loaf pan at 350 degrees for one hour.

Awesome Ambrosia
“You will not be disappointed!”

What You Need
1 large can of mandarin oranges
1 cup of shredded coconut
1 bag of mini marshmallows
1 large can of crushed pineapple (“Dole tastes the bestest!”)
2 cans of fruit cocktail
1 cup sour cream (add more for thickness or taste)
What to Do
Mix and chill before serving.

How She Celebrates
Most spectacular New Years’ memory: Watching the first sunrise of the new millennium on Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda

Her Valentine’s conversation heart says: “I Know You Love Me”

Digs in her Easter basket for: Cadbury Eggs

Best summer vacation memory: Meeting her baby niece for the first time

No. 1 on her Christmas list: Being with family