Lynnwood sisters sing as they look ahead

LYNNWOOD — Sisters Kernadine and Natasha Mullings miss their home in Jamaica.

Since coming to the United States with their parents in 2007, they’ve moved from Memphis, Tenn., to Issaquah and finally to Lynnwood, all the while searching for a place to belong while holding on to the essence of the country they still consider home.

It was in the midst of a lonely period in Tennessee, during the 2008 presidential campaign, that the girls turned inward and crafted a song full of hope and optimism — meant as an encouragement to their peers as much as themselves.

Friday, they were scheduled to perform the original reggae song, “We Are the Future,” at the More Music @ The Moore show in Seattle, a prestigious concert for gifted young artists in the area.

“A lot of children don’t realize we are the next generation and we will be the next leaders,” said Kernadine Mullings, 19. “We are the ones who are going to be out there to show the world we can do it.”

As they prepared for the biggest concert of their lives so far, the sisters hope their personal story also resonates with teens and drives the message home.

“We can be an example to them — that they can do something in life,” said Natasha Mullings, 16.

The song already has received good reception at their high schools, first in Memphis and now at Mariner High School in Everett, where Kernadine is a senior and Natasha is a sophomore. Classmates have hummed their song down the hallways, asking how a particular phrase goes. It’s a catchy tune.

“It’s amazing to know we brought that energy to this school,” Kernadine said.

They worked with professional musicians to rehearse for the show at The Moore Theatre, including rhythm-and-blues singer Bernadette Bascom and music director Daniel Bernard Roumain, a Haitian-American who most recently performed at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

“It’s really a professional training experience,” said Vicky Lee, director of education and community programs for Seattle Theatre Group. “We help open doors for these young artists in the music industry and work hard to make sure the right people see them.”

One of last year’s performers, a trio dubbed the EriAm Sisters (for Eritrean-American), went on to NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”

The Mullings sisters — who call themselves Leah Marie, after their middle names — are already generating a similar buzz to the EriAm Sisters.

“Someone said, ‘You’ve got to hear these girls. They just moved into town,’ ” recalled Lee, who soon after auditioned the Mullingses and immediately gave them a spot in the show. “We thought, ‘Oh my God. We want you in.’ ”

It’s a big step forward from the school stages and church pews where the girls often sing.

“I’m the shy girl,” said Natasha, with a sweet laugh. But she says she’s sucking up her nervousness. “I’m really excited to perform in front of a lot of people and bring them that message we’re trying to get across.”

For Kernadine, there’s a feeling of being overwhelmed, but she’s eager to see what this brings next.

“I want to make it out there in the music industry. It’s my main goal,” said Kernadine, who plans to start at a two-year college in the fall before pursuing a master’s in music. “So it’s been an experience just to work with all those other artists. It’s been incredible.”

The girls’ parents, Patrick and Sharon Mullings, are proud of their girls.

“I’m excited,” Patrick Mullings said. “They have talent and they love to sing. … We’re glad they’re doing what they love and what they do best.”

The Mullings family moved to the U.S. in 2007 for Patrick Mullings’ job with T-Mobile. Like many other Jamaicans, they left their Caribbean home for the educational opportunities here — if not the soggy weather.

They still miss Jamaica. They grew up near the capitol of Kingston in St. Andrew Parish.

“It was really nice there because we grew up around music,” Natasha said.

“There’s no place like home,” Kernadine said.

Their Jamaican roots show up in “We Are the Future.” So does their faith.

Both sisters draw inspiration from their mother, who has been a lead singer in their churches. Gospel is at the root of much of their songwriting and composing.

“We’re church girls,” Kernadine said.

For her part, Sharon Mullings said she’s particularly proud of the positive messages her daughters bring to their audiences.

“It really does something to my heart,” she said.

The family hopes the girls’ music touches other hearts, too.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.