Jacky Cullum Chisholm

Jacqueline Lenita Clark-Chisholm (née Cullum; December 29, 1948), known professionally as Jacky Clark-Chisholm, is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, and licensed practical nurse who is best known as the eldest member of the American gospel singing group The Clark Sisters.

Biography Early life and career Chisholm was born December 29, 1948, in Detroit Michigan, first daughter of gospel music innovator Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark and her first husband Leo Henry Cullum, Sr. This union also produced her older brother Leo Henry Cullum, Jr. When Chisholm was young, her parents divorced and her mother married Elbert Clark (d. 2001). This union produced her four younger sisters; Denise, Elbernita, Dorinda, and Karen, the group that would one day become The Clark Sisters. She attended Mumford High School in Detroit, Michigan, graduating in 1967. Their mother, who served as the Church of God in Christ's International Minister of Music and taught them to sing together in their father's church, created the gospel singing group The Clark Sisters with Chisholm and her sisters, and they released their first album, "Jesus Has A Lot to Give" in 1973. The group flourished and became known for their live performances and classic songs, including "Is My Living in Vain" and their biggest hit, "You Brought the Sunshine".

Solo career On March 29, 2005, Chisholm released her first solo album, Expectancy, on the Entheos Records label. On this album, she teamed up with songwriter/producer Carnell Murrell, Autun Foster and Doreonne Stramler. Recorded live at the Cathedral Center in Detroit, the album's background vocals were supplied by a special assembly of vocalists, which included two of her children, Angel and Aaron Chisholm, as well as Lorenzo Clark, her sister Denise Clark Bradford's son. The choir was directed by Bryon Stanfield. Her vision for the album is simply meant to “minister to the heart and soul, to restore the people of God who’ve been hurt working in the church.” Her signature vocals can be heard on “Oil of God,” “We Are Overcomers” featuring her sister Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, and the urban Gospel tune “My Soul Says Yes.” The album also features a duet with Jacky and Ron Winans and a special appearance by the Clark Sisters together on “Blessing Me.” On March 25, 2014, Jacky released a single "My Season", accompanied with the song "On My Mind". This was the first release of new material since her 2005 solo debut. In 2020, she released a new single, “Feel Good” featuring Mary J. Blige and rapper Tia P. On November 10, 2023, Jacky released her long-awaited follow-up solo album titled “Jacky?” with 14 tracks and produced by B. Slade and Autun Foster.

Stage performer As a performer, Chisholm has often taken major roles in nationally touring gospel stage plays such as Lawd Have Mercy, Mama Don’t, Can A Woman Make A Man Lose His Mind, and The Man of Her Dreams.

Chisholm was portrayed by Broadway theatre actress Angela Birchett in the Lifetime biopic The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, released April 11, 2020.

Musical influence While her sibling counterparts are known for their impassioned vocals, Chisholm in contrast is known as the "sweet-voiced" sister. "I feel there is a need for more music that allows the listener to enter into praise and worship for the Lord," she asserts. "People have a need to meditate upon their own personal relationship with God, and I think that the kind of music I wish to perform will give them the space to reflect on God from their own points of view."

Other ventures Chisholm is a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association, and has done radio and television commercials for New York Life Insurance. Moreover, her stature provided her a platform as a motivational speaker for fundraisers such as H.O.P.E. South Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa. Professionally, Chisholm has been an instructor for the American Red Cross for 10 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in Family Life Education and Psychology and plans to open a counseling center for battered women and children.

Personal life Chisholm was married to Glynn Chisholm from May 5, 1973, until his death on November 28, 2019. Together, they had three children: Aaron, Michael, and Angelyn (Angel), and three grandchildren.

Discography Albums

YearAlbumRef.2005Expectancy 1st solo album Label: Entheos Records Format: CD, Digital Download 2023Jacky? 2nd solo album Label: Peerless Music Group Format: Digital

Extended plays

YearAlbumRef.2018My Season/On My Mind Remix EP Released: November 11, 2018 Label: MPP Format: Digital Download

Singles

As lead artist + List of singles, with selected chart positions and sales, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album USGospel Digital "My Season" 2014 — "On My Mind" — "Cover Me" 2017 — "Shout" — "Feel Good"(feat. Mary J. Blige) 2020 14 "My New Season" 2022 - "Greatest Part of Me" 2023 — jacky? "Bless Him Continually" 2026 —

Awards BET Awards

The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. Jacky Clark Chisholm has received 2 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 2008 Best Gospel Artist The Clark Sisters 2020 Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award "Victory"

Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Clark Chisholm has won 2 awards from 11 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 1983 Inspirational Black Gospel Album of the Year Sincerely 1987 Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Heart & Soul 1995 Traditional Black Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Amazing Grace" 2008 Artist of the Year The Clark Sisters Group of the Year Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Blessed and Highly Favored" Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year Live – One Last Time 2020 Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Victory" Inspirational Film of the Year The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel Traditional Gospel Album of the Year The Return 2026 Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Jesus I Do" (with Mariah Carey)

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Jacky Clark Chisholm has won 3 awards from 7 nominations, including a Lifetime Achievement award. Year Award Nominated workResult 1983 Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group Sincerely 1987 Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus Heart & Soul 1988 Conqueror 1990 Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album Bringing it Back Home 2007 Best Gospel Performance "Blessed & Highly Favored" Best Traditional Gospel Album Live: One Last Time 2009 Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals "Higher Ground" 2024 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award The Clark Sisters

NAACP Image Awards

The NAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Jacky Clark Chisholm has won 2 awards from 6 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 1983 Outstanding Gospel Artist The Clark Sisters 1989 2020 Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song – Traditional or Contemporary "Victory" 2021 Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album The Return 2026 Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) "Jesus I Do" (with Mariah Carey) Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song

Soul Train Awards The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. Jacky Clark Chisholm has received 3 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 1988 Best Gospel Album – Group or Choir Heart & Soul 1989 Best Gospel Album Conqueror 2020 Best Gospel/Inspirational Award The Clark Sisters

Stellar Awards The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Jacky Clark Chisholm has received 8 awards and 2 honorary awards.

Year Award Nominated workResult 2007 The Chevrolet Most Notable Achievement Award The Clark Sisters 2008 CD of the YearLive... One Last Time Artist of the Year Group or Duo of the Year Traditional Group/Duo of the Year 2009 Special Event CD of the Year Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters 2010 Silky Soul Music... An All-Star Tribute to Maze (with Kierra Sheard and J. Moss) 2020 James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award The Clark Sisters 2021 Contemporary Duo/Group Chorus of the Year The Return Duo/Group Chorus of the Year Traditional Duo/Group Chorus of the Year Gospel According to PJ 2026 Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year "Jesus I Do" (with Mariah Carey)

Miscellaneous honors Year Organization Award Nominated workResult 1999 Michigan's International Gospel Music Hall of Fame The Clark Sisters 2019 Essence Fest's Strength Of A Woman Brunch Strength of A Woman Award 2022 Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame 2025 Missouri Gospel Music Hall of Fame 2026 Hollywood Walk of Fame