Cara is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up at Rodman Street Missionary Baptist Church. Rodman served as Cara’s foundation in ministry and where she first shared and accepted her calling at the age of 17. 

Cara attended and graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte with her B.A. in Elementary Education. She went on to receive her Master’s in Education at Montreat College in Asheville, North Carolina. 

While in Charlotte Cara worked as a teacher in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District. 

Cara joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church where she worked and carried on ministry. While at Friendship, she was active with the youth ministry, working for both Division Ministers, supporting youth worship and bible study services weekly, and numerous other ministries and initiatives. It was there at Friendship that Cara was given advanced hands-on ministry experience that has really helped shape her ministry leadership today.

Cara is supported by her husband Shawn Watkins, family, and friends.

In May of 2020, Cara graduated from United Theological Seminary, Dayton OH with her Master in Christian Ministries. She is excited to serve as the Youth Minister at Wayman Chapel A.M.E.