The Clark Sisters facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Clark Sisters
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| Also known as | The Dynamic Clark Sisters (1980) The Legendary Clark Sisters (2017-Present) The First Ladies Of Gospel The Legends of Contemporary Gospel The Great Angels Of Gospel The Longest Active Gospel Groups The Greatest Gospel Group Of All Time The Stars Of Gospel The Queens of Contemporary Gospel |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel, urban contemporary gospel |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Labels | Billmo, Sound Of Gospel, Westbound/Elektra, Rejoice/Word, Sparrow, EMI Gospel Karew |
| Associated acts | Mattie Moss Clark, Donald Lawrence, Bill Moss, Sr., Kierra Sheard, J Moss, Bill Moss, Jr. |
| Members | |
The Clark Sisters are an American gospel singing group. They are five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (born 1948), Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford (born 1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (born 1957), and Karen Clark Sheard (born 1960). Their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, was a famous gospel musician and choir leader.
The Clark Sisters are known for helping gospel music become popular with more people. They are seen as pioneers of modern gospel music.
Some of their most famous songs include "Is My Living in Vain" and "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)". Their biggest hit, "You Brought the Sunshine," even crossed over into mainstream music.
As a group, the Clark Sisters have won three Grammy Awards. They are the best-selling female gospel group ever. In 2020, they received the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards. In 2022, they joined the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
History of the Group
How it all Started
The Clark Sisters grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, was a well-known gospel choir director. The sisters started singing very young in their father's church choir. By the late 1960s, they were all singing together in church. Their mother often wrote and arranged the songs they performed.
In 1973, Dr. Clark officially formed "The Clark Sisters." They recorded their first album, Jesus Has a Lot to Give. It was released on their uncle's record label, Billesse Records. The Clark Sisters first appeared on TV on TV Gospel Time.
In 1974, they released Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents the Clark Sisters. People in Detroit started to notice them. Soon after, they signed with Sound of Gospel Records. They released albums like Unworthy and Count It All Joy. Their album He Gave Me Nothing to Lose reached the top 20 on the Billboard Spiritual LPs chart.
At this point, their mother gave control of the group to Twinkie. Twinkie then wrote, arranged, and produced all their music. Their fame grew a lot with their live album Is My Living in Vain in 1980. This album was number one on the Billboard Spiritual Albums chart in 1982. Songs like "Expect Your Miracle" are still sung in churches today.
Becoming Mainstream Stars (1981-1984)
Their next album, You Brought the Sunshine (1981), became a huge hit. The title song was popular in churches and even in dance clubs like New York's Studio 54. "You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" was released by Westbound Records and Elektra Records. In 1983, the song reached number 16 on Billboard Black Singles. It also hit number 27 on the Dance Club Songs chart. In 2020, a live version of the song reached number 11 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart.
The album You Brought the Sunshine was also a big success. It reached number nine on the US Top Gospel Albums chart. Billboard named The Clark Sisters the number-one Top Gospel Albums Artist of 1983.
In 1982, the sisters released Sincerely. This album included songs like "Name It, Claim It" and "World." They received their first Grammy Award nomination for this album. It was for Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group. Soon after, they won the NAACP Image Award for best gospel group in 1983. They got another Grammy nomination for "He'll Turn Your Scars into Stars." In 1985, they performed "Hallelujah" at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards with their mother.
Changes and New Projects (1986-1994)
After a four-year break, the sisters Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen released new music in 1986. Their sister Denise had left the group earlier that year. They signed with Rejoice Records. This led to the Grammy-nominated album Heart & Soul. It featured the song "Time Out." This album reached the top five on Billboard's Gospel Charts. It also won the group a Dove Award. The album included new versions of "Jesus Is a Love Song" and "There Is a Balm in Gilead." The music on this album had a more modern sound with new instruments.
In 1988, The Clark Sisters released Conqueror. This album topped the Billboard charts. It had a stronger, more intense sound. Songs like "The Darkest Hour Is Just Before the Day" and "Take Me Higher" became favorites.
In 1989, they released a live album called Bringing It Back Home. It was recorded in their hometown of Detroit. This was their last album with Word Records. It was also the last group album with Twinkie before she started her solo career. The album had both old hits and new songs. Their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, directed the Michigan State Choir, which sang backup vocals.
In 1994, Jacky, Dorinda, and Karen released Miracle. This was their first album without Twinkie's songwriting and vocals. Producers BeBe Winans and Michael J. Powell worked on it. The album included a new version of their classic "Expect Your Miracle." Dorinda wrote her first song for a Clark Sisters album, "Work to Do." The album sold well, but the sisters could not tour much. Their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, passed away in September 1994.
Solo Music Careers (1995-2006)
After their last album with Word Records, Twinkie focused on her solo career. She had already released two solo albums before. She released more albums like The Masterpiece in 1996 and Twinkie Clark & Friends: Live in Charlotte in 2002. She continued to release music, including The Generations in 2020 with her nephew Larry Clark.
Karen released her first solo album, Finally Karen, in 1997. This album featured The Clark Sisters and her daughter Kierra Sheard. It was nominated for a Grammy Award and won a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award. She has released five more solo albums since then.
Dorinda released her first solo album, Dorinda Clark-Cole, in 2002. It won her two Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul award. She has released four more solo albums. Her album Living It (2015) was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Jacky released her first solo album, Expectancy, in 2005. It included a song called "Blessing Me" with The Clark Sisters. She later released singles like "My Season" and "Feel Good."
All the Clark Sisters have helped each other on their solo albums by singing or writing songs.
Live...One Last Time and Grammy Wins (2007-2009)
On July 8, 2006, The Clark Sisters (Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen) recorded a live album in Houston, Texas. It was called Live...One Last Time. Donald Lawrence produced it. The album was released in April 2007. To support the album, the sisters went on a 25-city concert tour.
The group had been nominated for Grammys before but hadn't won. In 2008, they were nominated for two Grammys and won both! Live...One Last Time won Best Traditional Gospel Album. The song "Blessed & Highly Favored" won Best Gospel Performance. Karen Clark Sheard also won Best Gospel Song as the songwriter. The Clark Sisters also performed their hit "You Brought the Sunshine" at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony.
After their popularity grew again, Rhino Entertainment released a collection of their greatest hits. It was called Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters and came out in 2008. In December of that year, the TV show Unsung featured The Clark Sisters. The episode showed how the group helped break down barriers in gospel music.
In 2009, the Clark Sisters released their second Christmas album, The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas. It featured Karen's daughter Kierra Sheard and their cousins Bill Moss, Jr. and J. Moss. Karen's son, J. Drew Sheard, II, produced the album.
Movie and New Album (2018-Present)
On November 11, 2018, it was announced that a TV movie about The Clark Sisters would be made. The film, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, aired on Lifetime on April 11, 2020. It was watched by 2.7 million people, becoming Lifetime's highest-rated original movie in four years. Famous artists like Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, and Mary J. Blige helped produce the movie. Kierra Sheard played her own mother, Karen Clark Sheard, in the film.
The Clark Sisters were among many artists whose music was lost in the 2008 Universal fire.
On October 18, 2019, the Clark Sisters released their new song "Victory." It was officially released on November 15, 2019. On March 13, 2020, they released their seventeenth album, The Return. This was their first album in over ten years. It featured songs produced by many talented people, including Snoop Dogg on the track "His Love."
Their Unique Sound
The "Clark Sound"
From the very beginning, Twinkie has been the main songwriter, vocal arranger, and producer for the group. The Clark Sisters are famous for their special group style, which is called "the Clark Sound." They use high, fast singing (melismas), amazing vocal tricks (trills and riffs), and deep, soulful growls or "squalls."
They are known for their perfect harmonies. Each sister also has her own unique singing style. While there isn't just one lead singer, each sister has led many songs over the years.
The Clark Sisters have said that Aretha Franklin, who also grew up in Detroit, was a big musical influence for them. When Aretha Franklin passed away in 2018, the Clark Sisters sang one of their signature songs, "Is My Living in Vain," at her funeral.
Group Members Over Time
Their Impact and Other Artists
The Clark Sisters have inspired many famous singers. These include Faith Evans, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Missy Elliott, and Mariah Carey. Other artists have covered or used parts of their songs.
| Year | Original Song | Artist | New Song | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "You Brought the Sunshine" | Al Green | "You Brought the Sunshine" | He Is the Light |
| 1990 | Shirley Murdock | Rubáiyát: Elektra's 40th Anniversary | ||
| 1996 | "I've Got An Angel" | Aaliyah | "Never Givin' Up" | One in a Million |
| "You Brought the Sunshine" | Out of Eden | "You Brought the Sunshine" | More Than You Know | |
| 1998 | "Is My Living in Vain" | Xscape | "Is My Living in Vain" | Hummin' Comin' at 'Cha |
| 2001 | "They Were Overcome" | Mary J. Blige | "Checkin' for Me" | No More Drama |
| "You Brought the Sunshine" | Lejuene Thompson | "You Brought the Sunshine" | Soul Inspiration | |
| 2003 | Kelly Price | Priceless | ||
| 2006 | "Is My Living In Vain" | Zie'l | "Is My Living In Vain" | Genesis |
| "Endow Me" | Coko (feat. Faith Evans, Fantasia, and Lil' Mo) | "Endow Me" | Grateful | |
| 2011 | "Jesus Is a Love Song" | Kim Burrell | "Jesus is a Love Song" | The Love Album |
| 2014 | "They Were Overcome" | Kierra Sheard | "2nd Win" | Graceland |
| "There Is a Balm in Gilead" | "Balm (Interlude)" | |||
| "He'll Turn Your Scars into Stars" | "You Don't Like What You See (Interlude)" | |||
| 2017 | "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)" | Jay-Z (feat. Beyoncé) | "Family Feud" | 4:44 |
| "Is My Living in Vain" | Deante' Hitchcock | "Talking to God, Pt. 2" | Non-album single | |
| 2018 | "Center of Thy Will" | Blood Orange (feat. Ian Isiah) | "Holy Will" | Negro Swan |
| "You Brought the Sunshine" | Pastor Troy | "Thank You God" | Clubber Lang | |
| 2019 | Sunday Service Choir | "Sunshine" | Jesus Is Born | |
| 2021 | "Is My Living in Vain" | Ms. Carrie Stacks | "Is My Living in Vain" | Q & A |
| 2022 | "Center of Thy Will" | Beyoncé | "CHURCH GIRL" | Renaissance |
Discography
Studio Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel |
US Christian |
US Holiday |
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| Jesus Has a Lot to Give |
|
— | — | — |
| Mattie Moss Clark Presents the Clark Sisters |
|
— | — | — |
| Unworthy |
|
— | — | — |
| Count It All Joy |
|
20 |
— | — |
| New Dimensions Of Christmas Carols |
|
— | — | — |
| He Gave Me Nothing to Lose |
|
18 |
— | — |
| You Brought the Sunshine |
|
3 |
— | — |
| Sincerely |
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8 |
— | — |
| Heart & Soul |
|
4 | — | — |
| Conqueror |
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7 | 29 | — |
| Miracle |
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8 | — | — |
| The Clark Sisters' Family Christmas |
|
15 | — | 18 |
| The Return |
|
2 | — | — |
Live Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US Gospel |
||
| Is My Living in Vain (with Mattie Moss Clark) |
|
— | 1 |
| Bringing It Back Home |
|
— | 13 |
| Live - One Last Time |
|
56 | 1 |
Compilation Albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Gospel |
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| Best |
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— |
| Count It All Joy / He Gave Me Nothing to Lose |
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— |
| You Brought the Sunshine / Unworthy |
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— |
| Encore: The Best of The Clark Sisters |
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12 |
| The Clark Sisters: The Definitive Collection |
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37 |
| Power Play: 6 Big Hits! - The Clark Sisters |
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— |
| Beginnings |
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— |
| Best of the Clark Sisters (Live) |
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— |
| Icon |
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28 |
| You Brought the Sunshine (The Sound Of Gospel Recordings 1976–1981) (with Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark) |
|
— |
Singles
As Lead Artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Sales | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel |
US Gospel Airplay |
US Gospel Digital Sales |
US Dance |
US R&B /HH |
||||
| "Jesus Has a Lot to Give" | 1973 | — | — | — | — | — | Jesus Has a Lot to Give | |
| "Is My Living in Vain" | 1980 | — | — | 3 | — | — | Is My Living In Vain | |
| "Name It, Claim It" | 1982 | — | — | — | — | — | Sincerely | |
| "World" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)" | 1983 | — | — | 2 | 27 | 16 |
|
You Brought the Sunshine |
| "Jesus Is a Love Song" | 1986 | — | — | — | — | — | Heart & Soul | |
| "Pray for the U.S.A." | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Time Out (Remix)" | 1987 | — | — | — | 43 | — | ||
| "My Redeemer Liveth" | 1991 | — | — | — | — | — | Bringing It Back Home | |
| "Medley" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Blessed & Highly Favored (Live)" | 2007 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | Live: One Last Time | |
| "Livin'" | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | |||
| "Looking to Get There (Heaven) [Live]" | 2008 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Something New (Live)" | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Instrument (live)" | 2009 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Victory" | 2019 | 6 | 1 | 5 | — | — | The Return | |
| "His Love" (featuring Snoop Dogg) |
2020 | 11 | 1 | — | — | — | ||
As a Featured Artist
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel |
US AC |
US R&B /HH |
US Adult R&B |
|||
| "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (Melba Moore featuring Gerald Albright, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown, Terri Lyne Carrington, the Clark Sisters, Howard Hewett, Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jake O, Dionne Warwick, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder) |
1990 | — | — | 9 | — | Soul Exposed |
| "The First Noel" (Mary J. Blige with the Clark Sisters) |
2014 | — | 21 | — | — | A Mary Christmas |
| "Dance" (3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2015 | 7 |
— | — | 15 |
Foreign Land |
| "Hey Devil!" (CeCe Winans featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2017 | 22 | — | — | — | Let Them Fall in Love |
Other Charted Songs
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions |
Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel |
US Gospel Digital Sales |
US Gospel Stream. |
|||
| "Expect Your Miracle" | 1980 | — | 7 | — | Is My Living In Vain |
| "You Brought the Sunshine (Live)" | 2007 | 11 |
2 | 15 | Live: One Last Time |
| "Name It Claim It (Live)" | — | 9 | — | ||
| "Blessed & Highly Favored (Remix)" (Snoop Dogg featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2018 | — | 24 | — | Bible of Love |
Other Appearances
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Won't You Come a Christmasing" (Shirley Caesar featuring the Clark Sisters) |
1986 | Christmasing |
| "Jesus Forevermore (Live)" (The Clark Sisters) |
1989 | Black Gospel Explosion: Recorded Live |
| "Hallelujah (Live)" (The Clark Sisters) |
||
| "Lift Every Voice and Sing" (Melba Moore featuring Gerald Albright, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown, Terri Lyne Carrington, The Clark Sisters, Howard Hewett, Freddie Jackson, Stephanie Mills, Jeffrey Osbourne, Jake O, Dionne Warwick, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Stevie Wonder) |
1990 | Soul Exposed |
| "Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates" (Commissioned & the Clark Sisters) |
1992 | Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration |
| "Nothing to Lose" (The Florida A&M University Gospel Choir featuring the Clark Sisters) |
1996 | Twinkie Clark-Terrell Presents |
| "Jesus is a Love Song" (Karen Clark-Sheard featuring the Clark Sisters) |
1997 | Finally Karen |
| "Pure Gold" (Karen Clark-Sheard featuring the Clark Sisters) |
Finally Karen...Live! | |
| "Show Me the Way" (Dorinda Clark-Cole featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2002 | Dorinda Clark-Cole |
| "You Brought the Sunshine" (Kelly Price featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2003 | Priceless |
| "I'm Not Perfect" (Missy Elliott featuring the Clark Sisters) |
This Is Not a Test! | |
| "I Made It" (Twinkie Clark featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2004 | Home Once Again: Live in Detroit |
| "Blessing Me" (Jacky Clark-Chisholm featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2005 | Expectancy |
| "Higher Ground" (Robert Randolph & the Clark Sisters) |
2009 | Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration |
| "I Wanna Thank You" (The Clark Sisters, J. Moss, Kierra Sheard) |
Silky Soul Music...an All-star Tribute to Maze featuring Frankie Beverly | |
| "Hallelujah Remix" (Twinkie Clark featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2013 | Live & Unplugged |
| "The First Noel" (Mary J. Blige featuring the Clark Sisters) |
A Mary Christmas | |
| "Dance - Louie Vega Funk House Radio Edit" (3 Winans Brothers, the Clark Sisters, Mike Dunn) |
2015 | Foreign Land |
| "I'm Not Ashamed" (3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters) |
||
| "Dance" (3 Winans Brothers featuring the Clark Sisters) |
||
| "Look to the Hills" (G E I featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2016 | GEI Live |
| "Hey Devil!" (CeCe Winans featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2017 | Let Them Fall in Love |
| "Blessed & Highly Favored (Remix)" (Snoop Dogg featuring the Clark Sisters) |
2018 | Bible of Love |
| "Dance - Mike Dunn's Gospel Re-Touch" (3 Winans Brothers, the Clark Sisters, Mike Dunn) |
2019 | Unreleased Project EP, Vol. 03 |
Awards and Honors
BET Awards
The BET Awards are given out every year by the Black Entertainment Television network. The Clark Sisters have been nominated twice.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Clark Sisters | Best Gospel Artist | Nominated |
| 2020 | "Victory" | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | Nominated |
Dove Awards
The Dove Awards are given out every year by the Gospel Music Association. The Clark Sisters have won 2 awards from 8 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Heart & Soul | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Won |
| 2008 | The Clark Sisters | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| Group of the Year | Nominated | ||
| "Blessed and Highly Favored" | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| Live – One Last Time | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2020 | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "Victory" | Nominated |
| Inspirational Film of the Year | The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel | Nominated | |
| Traditional Gospel Album of the Year | The Return | Won |
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are given out every year by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The Clark Sisters have won 2 awards from 7 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Sincerely | Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group | Nominated |
| 1987 | Heart & Soul | Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus | Nominated |
| 1988 | Conqueror | Nominated | |
| 1990 | Bringing it Back Home | Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2007 | "Blessed & Highly Favored" | Best Gospel Performance | Won |
| Live: One Last Time | Best Traditional Gospel Album | Won | |
| 2009 | "Higher Ground" | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated |
NAACP Image Awards
The NAACP Image Awards are given out every year by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The Clark Sisters have won 2 awards from 4 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | The Clark Sisters | Outstanding Gospel Artist | Won |
| 1989 | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | "Victory" | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song – Traditional or Contemporary | Nominated |
| 2021 | The Return | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album | Won |
Soul Train Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards are given out every year. The Clark Sisters have received 3 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Heart & Soul | Best Gospel Album – Group or Choir | Nominated |
| 1989 | Conqueror | Best Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2020 | The Clark Sisters | Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | Nominated |
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards are given out every year by SAGMA. The Clark Sisters have received 8 awards and 1 special honorary award.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Live... One Last Time | CD of the Year | Won |
| Artist of the Year | Won | ||
| Group or Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| Traditional Group/Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| 2009 | Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters | Special Event CD of the Year | Won |
| 2010 | Silky Soul Music... An All-Star Tribute to Maze (with Kierra Sheard and J. Moss) | Won | |
| 2020 | The Clark Sisters | James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award | Honored |
| 2021 | The Return | Contemporary Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Won |
| Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Gospel According to PJ | Traditional Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Won |
See also
In Spanish: The Clark Sisters para niños
