Karen Clark Sheard facts for kids

Karen Valencia Clark Sheard (born November 15, 1960) is an American gospel singer and songwriter. She is the youngest member of the famous gospel group The Clark Sisters, which started in 1973. Karen is also the mother of contemporary gospel singer and actress Kierra "Kiki" Sheard. They often sing together. Karen has released five solo albums and 17 albums with The Clark Sisters.

While The Clark Sisters were taking a break, Karen recorded her first solo album, Finally Karen (1997). This album included popular songs like "Balm in Gilead" and "Just for Me." Finally Karen was one of the best-selling gospel albums that year. It also earned Karen a Grammy Award nomination and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for "Best Female Vocalist."

In 2001, Karen faced a serious health challenge. Doctors gave her a very small chance of survival. This experience inspired the name of her second album, 2nd Chance (2002). She then recorded two more live albums, The Heavens Are Telling (2003) and It's Not Over (2006). Her second studio album, All in One (2010), was very successful. It reached number two on the Billboard Gospel Chart.

Many famous singers, including Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Faith Evans, have said that Karen Clark Sheard and her sister Twinkie Clark have influenced their music.

Biography

Early Life and Education

Karen Valencia Clark was born on November 15, 1960, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the youngest of six children. Her parents were Reverend Elbert Clark and Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, who was a gospel choir director.

Karen started singing gospel music with her sisters when she was just 5 years old. This group became known as The Clark Sisters. She went to Mumford High School in Detroit and graduated in 1978.

Music Career Highlights

The Clark Sisters Group

Karen Clark Sheard is a key member of The Clark Sisters. This group is known for their unique sound and powerful voices. They have been making music together for many years and are very respected in gospel music.

First Solo Album

Karen's solo career began after she sang on the Island Inspirational All Stars' song "Don't Give Up" in 1996. This led to her signing with Island Records. Her first solo album, Finally Karen, came out in 1997.

This album was a mix of studio and live recordings. It was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1998. Karen also won a Lady of Soul award for Best Gospel Album that same year. The album did very well on the music charts.

2nd Chance Album

After her health challenge, Karen signed with Elektra Records. She released her album 2nd Chance in 2002. The album's name reflects the "second chance" she felt God gave her after her near-death experience. Her daughter Kierra's song "You Don't Know" also talks about this time.

The album's first song was "Be Sure." 2nd Chance reached high spots on the Billboard charts, showing how popular it was.

The Heavens Are Telling Album

In 2003, Karen released The Heavens Are Telling. This album came out six years after her first solo album. While it didn't sell as much as 2nd Chance, it still did well on the gospel charts. It was also her first album to appear on the Billboard Christian Albums chart.

It's Not Over Album

In 2005, Karen signed with Word Records. She released It's Not Over in 2006. This album was meant to be a follow-up to her 1997 debut. Most of the album was recorded live at her church in Detroit.

This was Karen's first solo album that didn't feature her daughter, Kierra Sheard. In 2008, Karen won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song for "Blessed & Highly Favored," which was sung by The Clark Sisters.

Karew Records and Recent Albums

In 2009, Karen and her husband, J. Drew Sheard, started their own record label called Karew Records. The name "Karew" combines their first names. The first project released by Karew Records was The Clark Sisters' Christmas album.

In 2010, Karen won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance for "Wait on the Lord," which she sang with Donnie McClurkin. On April 6, 2010, she released her fifth album, All in One, on her new label. This album featured her daughter Kierra, son J. Drew Sheard II, sister Dorinda Clark Cole, and other family members. The album's main song, "Prayed Up," was very popular.

In 2014, Karen released her single "Sunday A.M.," which was nominated for a Best Gospel Song Grammy. In 2015, she released her sixth album, Destined to Win. This album became her fastest-selling and highest-charting solo album.

In 2019, there were talks for Karen to appear in the movie Respect, which is about Aretha Franklin. Karen's daughter, Kierra Sheard, played her in the Lifetime TV movie The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, which came out in 2020.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Karen Clark Sheard married Bishop J. Drew Sheard, a minister from Detroit, on June 16, 1984. Karen is the First Lady of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ in Detroit, where her husband is the senior pastor. In March 2021, Bishop Sheard became the Presiding Bishop of the COGIC denomination, making Karen the First Lady of the entire COGIC denomination.

They have two children: Kierra "Kiki" Sheard-Kelly (born 1987) and John Drew "J. Drew" Sheard II (born 1989).

Health Journey

In 2001, Karen faced a very serious health challenge. Doctors said she had a very small chance of surviving. After surgery, she was in a coma for about three and a half weeks. However, Karen says she made a wonderful recovery. Her daughter, Kierra Sheard, talks about this experience in her song "You Don't Know" from her first album.

Tours and Concerts

• The Clark Sisters: Bringing It Back Home (1989)
• Finally Karen (1997)
• The Clark Sisters: Live One Last Time Tour (2007–2008)
• Festival of Praise (2016–2017)
• McDonald's Celebration of Gospel (2016–2017)
• The Clark Sisters Virtual Experience (2020)
• The Reunion Tour (2023)
• The Reunion Tour 2024 (2024)

Film and TV Appearances

• 1983 Gospel (documentary)
• 2010 Blessed & Cursed (movie)
• 2011–2012 Church Girl (stage play)
• 2012 For Richer or Poorer (stage play)
• 2013 "The Sheards" (TV show)
• 2013 "BET Celebration of Gospel" (TV special)
• 2014 "The BET Honors" (TV special)
• 2017 "Xscape: Still Kickin It" (TV show episode)
• 2020 The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel (movie)
• 2021 Miracles Across 125th Street (movie)
• 2021 Song and Story: Amazing Grace (TV special)

Discography

Studio Albums

• Finally Karen (1997)
• 2nd Chance (2002)
• The Heavens Are Telling (2003)
• It's Not Over (2006)
• All in One (2010)
• Destined to Win(2015)
• Still Karen (2024)

Awards and Recognition

Karen Clark Sheard has won many awards for her music.

BET Awards

The BET Awards celebrate achievements in music, acting, sports, and other fields. Karen Clark Sheard has received 3 nominations.

Dove Awards

The Dove Awards honor excellence in Christian music. Karen Clark Sheard has won 3 awards from 13 nominations.

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are among the most important music awards. Karen Clark Sheard has won 5 awards from 13 nominations, including a special Lifetime Achievement award.

NAACP Image Awards

The NAACP Image Awards celebrate the achievements of people of color in various fields. Karen Clark Sheard has won 2 awards from 6 nominations.

Soul Train Awards

The Soul Train Music Awards honor the best in soul, R&B, and hip-hop music. Karen Clark Sheard has won 1 award from 5 nominations.

Stellar Awards

The Stellar Awards recognize excellence in gospel music. Karen Clark Sheard has received 12 awards and 2 honorary awards.