Kierra Sheard

Kierra Valencia "Kiki" Sheard-Kelly (born June 20, 1987) is an American gospel singer and evangelist. She is the daughter of gospel singer Karen Clark-Sheard and COGIC Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and the granddaughter of gospel choral director Mattie Moss Clark. After appearing on her mother's (most notably, the seminal Finally Karen) and aunt's albums, Sheard signed with EMI Gospel to release her debut studio album, I Owe You. Its lead single, "You Don't Know", was inspired by her mother almost losing her life in 2001 to a fatal blood clot. Sheard portrayed her mother in the 2020 Lifetime film, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel.

Early life Born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in the suburb of West Bloomfield, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the influences of her family, their faith, and their music. At age 5, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father, Bishop J. Drew Sheard.

Music career

1997–2003: Early career Sheard made her professional recording debut at the age of 9, on her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen (1997). The song "The Will Of God" won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance. In the following years, Sheard performed as background vocalist for her mother, aunt Dorinda Clark-Cole and the Clark Sisters. In 2002, Sheard was featured on Clark-Cole's self-titled debut album. In 2003, she featured on her mother's third album, The Heavens Are Telling, on "You Loved Me" (a gospel cover of Jill Scott's "He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)") and alongside J Moss on "Don't Change". That same year, EMI Gospel won a bidding war among several record companies to sign Sheard.

EMI commissioned a collection of remixes entitled Just Until... on August 2, 2005. The title of the stopgap release was abbreviated from its working title, "Just Until The Next Record". The album had a surprise international hit in the Godson Concept remix of "Let Go". The upbeat gospel single, released only in Japan, raced to the top of the mainstream R&B charts and remained there for several weeks. A midtempo fan favorite, the Fred Jerkins III-produced "Why Me?" was chosen as the lead single for the album. Sheard shot her first music videos for two subsequent singles from the album, "Yes" and "This Is Me". The album was Grammy Award-nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album in December 2006.

In addition to performing at the 2007 Stellar Awards ("Why Me?"), Sheard appeared on BET's Celebration of Gospel, standing in for pregnant Faith Evans in "Endow Me" (as popularized by Sheard's mother and aunts) along with Coko, Lil' Mo, and Fantasia. Sheard also sang with her mother for A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.

2008–2009: Bold Right Life In 2008, Sheard featured on Mary Mary's crossover hit, "God in Me", from The Sound album. "God in Me" became Sheard's first appearance on the US Hot 100, where it peaked at number 68. Furthermore, the single broke the Billboard record for the longest chart-run by a group and longest chart-run by a gospel song on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, "God in Me" was also a major hit on Billboard'''s Dance Club and Hot Gospel Songs charts, peaking at number one on both and spending 7 consecutive weeks atop the latter. Further to this, "God in Me" was awarded for "Outstanding Song" at the 41st NAACP Image Awards.

In October 2008, Sheard released her third album, Bold Right Life. Named after Sheard's youth organization in Detroit, the album was described by Billboard as a 'powerful mix of R&B/hip-hop, pop, rock and traditional gospel' which 'shifts from a hot uptempo beat (opener “Won’t Hold Back”) to pop (“My Boyfriend”) then to rock (“Invisible”) and traditional (“Praise Him Now”)'. The album's two lead singles were "Praise Him Now" and "Won't Hold Back". "Praise Him Now" peaked at number 7 on the US Hot Gospel Songs chart, whilst "Love Like Crazy" became Sheard's second Japanese hit, peaking at number 7 on the Japan Hot 100.

In January 2009, Sheard performed the Clark Sisters' "Jesus Is a Love Song" at the BMI Trailblazers Luncheon in honor of her aunt Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark.

The same year, Sheard released a compilation, KiKi's Mixtape, on September 22, 2009. KiKi's Mixtape included two new songs - “Sing to the Lord”, co-written by Kierra and described as 'a high-octane amalgam of rock, CCR and power pop' and a 'bold and bracing' cover of Donny Hathaway's "This Christmas" with Marcus Cole.

2010–2013: Free and The Sheards

Sheard had a role in the film Preacher's Kid (starring platinum-selling R&B artist LeToya Luckett, Durrell Babbs, Clifton Powell, Gregory Alan Williams, and Sharif Atkins), which was released in theaters across the U.S. on January 29, 2010, and was released on DVD and Blu-ray disc on May 4, 2010.

Sheard's fourth album, Free, was released on October 18, 2011. This was her first album on her family's gospel label, Karew Records (pronounced Kuh-Rue). Originally scheduled for a July 12, 2011 release, the album was leaked and subsequently pushed back and reformatted with a different track listing. The album features Sheard's BRL (Bold Right Life) Choir.

On April 7, 2013, Sheard and her family debuted in a new BET reality series, The Sheards. The show is based on the lives of Sheard, her brother and producer J. Drew, and her parents, Grammy Award-winning Karen Clark Sheard and Pastor J. Drew Sheard Sr. Season 1 had a run of eight episodes, and it was announced on the BET Twitter account that Season 2 would debut in the fall of 2014.

2013–present: Graceland, Clark Sisters biopic and Kierra

Sheard released the single "Trumpets Blow" in 2013, which was followed by "2nd Win" in 2014, which peaked within the top 20 of Billboard's Top Gospel Songs chart. and fourth number one on the Top Gospel Albums chart. Graceland also earned Sheard a nomination for Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year at the 30th Annual Stellar Awards.

In 2020, a Lifetime biographical film, The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel was released, starring Kierra Sheard as her mother Karen Clark-Sheard, which became the highest rated original movie release by Lifetime in four years. The film's soundtrack, also starring Sheard, debuted at number 8 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart, where it remained in its second week.

Following this, Sheard released her sixth album Kierra. Debuting at number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart with 6,000 equivalent album units, it became her fifth chart-topping album, replacing Kanye West's Jesus is King which had held the number one spot for 6 months since November 9, 2019. Sheard co-wrote the entire album, which includes a mix of studio and live tracks recorded in her hometown, Detroit. The album spawned 3 top 20 singles on the Hot Gospel Songs chart; "Don't Judge Me", "It Keeps Happening" and "Something Has To Break" (featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard), the latter peaking at number 5. In October 2021, Kierra's "Something Has to Break," featuring her mother, Karen Clark-Sheard, peaked at number one on the Hot Gospel Airplay chart, making it her fourth song to top the chart. Billboard explained, 'Kierra ties for the third-most Gospel Airplay No. 1s among women, dating to the chart's 2005 inception, matching Tasha Cobbs Leonard. Tamela Mann leads and shares the overall mark with Kirk Franklin (eight No. 1s), while Jekalyn Carr has notched five.'

Personal life Sheard is a graduate of Wayne State University (her father's alma mater) in Detroit, Michigan, where she received her bachelor's degree in English with a minor in psychology. Though her touring schedule has been curbed to accommodate her academic goals, Sheard did embark on a Japanese tour with her mother Karen Clark-Sheard in August 2006. In 2013, Sheard began preaching at her father's church and others. In 2017, she was officially licensed in the COGIC as an evangelist.

In June 2015, Sheard released the Fall/Winter collection of Eleven60, which honors her mother, Karen Clark Sheard. Eleven60 is named for the month and year that Clark Sheard was born. Sheard has personally designed looks for the professional curvy woman that is chic, sexy, bold and eclectic. She has crisscrossed the globe and absorbed the fashion trends of New York City, London, Paris, Tokyo and Seoul.

In 2020, after releasing three singles "Don't Judge Me (ft. Missy Elliot)", "It Keeps Happening", and "Something has to Break" (Ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, later her mother Karen Clark Sheard on the remix) she released her live self-titled Kierra, produced by her brother and producer J. Drew Sheard.

On June 20, 2020, her 33rd birthday, Sheard became engaged to her fiancé Jordan Kelly. The two married in a private ceremony on December 12 of that same year.

In April 2021 Sheard's first book titled Big, Bold and Beautiful: Owning the Woman God Made You to Be was released (a book for young teens and young adults).

In May 2023, Kelly's second book titled The Vibes You Feel: What I've Learned About Life and Relationships Through The Holy Spirit was set to be released.

Sheard and her husband announced in May 2023 that they were expecting their first child, a baby girl.

Discography

I Owe You (2004) This Is Me (2006) Bold Right Life (2008) Free (2011) Graceland (2014) Kierra (2020) All Yours'' (2023)

Awards BET Awards

The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. Sheard-Kelly has received 1 award from 2 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 2023 Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award "The Better Benediction (Pt.2)" (with PJ Morton, Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le'Andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard) 2025 "Rain Down On Me" (with GloRilla, Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music)

Billboard Music Awards The Billboard Music Awards are awarded annually. Sheard-Kelly has received 2 nominations.

Year Award Nominated work Result 2017 Top Gospel Song "Put a Praise On It" (with Tasha Cobbs Leonard) 2021 Top Gospel Album Kierra

BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards The BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards are awarded annually. Sheard-Kelly has been recognized seven times and honored three times.

Year Award Nominated work Result 2022 Songwriter of the Most-Performed Songs of the Year "His Love" "It Keeps Happening" Songwriter of the Year Herself 2023 Songwriter of the Most-Performed Songs of the Year "Something Has to Break" 2024 "Miracles" 2026 "All Yours" "RAIN DOWN ON ME" "Send It Down" Impact Award Herself Songwriter of the Year

Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Sheard-Kelly has won 3 awards from 13 nominations.

Year Award Nominated work Result 2005 Urban Recorded Song of the Year "You Don't Know" Urban Album of the Year I Owe You 2006 Just Until 2007 This Is Me Urban Recorded Song of the Year "Why Me" 2009 Urban Album of the Year Bold Right Life 2015 Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album of the Year Graceland Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song of the Year "Flaws" 2020 Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year KIERRA Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "It Keeps Happening" Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year "Something Has To Break (Live)" (featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard) 2023 Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year "Miracles" (feat. Pastor Mike Jr.) 2024 Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year "All Yours" (feat. Anthony Brown)

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Sheard-Kelly has received 4 nominations. Year Award Nominated work Result 2006 Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album This Is Me 2009 Bold Right Life 2021 Best Gospel Album Kierra 2024 Best Gospel Performance/Song "God is Good"

NAACP Image Awards The NAACP Image Awards are presented by the NAACP. Sheard-Kelly has received 1 award from 6 nominations.

Year Award Nominated work Result 2021 Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album Kierra "Something Has To Break" Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song 2024 Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional) "God Is Good" (with Karen Clark Sheard and Hezekiah Walker) Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album All Yours Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song "All Yours" (featuring Anthony Brown) 2025 Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) "Rain Down On Me" (with GloRilla, Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, and Chandler Moore)

Soul Train Awards The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. Sheard-Kelly has received 3 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult Soul Train Music Awards 2005 Best Gospel Album I Owe You 2009 Best Collaboration "God In Me" (with Mary Mary) Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards 2005 Best Gospel Album I Owe You

Stellar Awards The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Sheard-Kelly has received 7 awards from 25 nominations.

Year Award Nominated workResult 1999 Children's Performance of the Year "The Will of God" (Finally Karen) 2006 Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year I Owe You Contemporary CD of the Year Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year "You Don't Know" 2007 Female Vocalist of the Year This Is Me Urban/Inspirational Single/Performance of the Year "This Is Me" 2010 Artist of the Year Bold Right Life Contemporary CD of the Year Contemporary Female of the Year Female Vocalist of the Year Special Event CD of the Year Silky Soul Music... An All-Star Tribute to Maze (with The Clark Sisters and J. Moss) 2013 Contemporary Female of the Year Free Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year 2015 Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year Graceland 2018 Song of the Year "Hang On" (with GEI) 2020 Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year "Don't Judge Me" 2021 Artist of the Year Kierra Albernita Walker Female Artist of the Year Contemporary Album of the Year Contemporary Female Artist of the Year Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year "It Keeps Happening (Live)" Song of the Year "Something Has to Break (Live)" (feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard) 2024 Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year All Yours Contemporary Female Artist of the Year 2026 HBCU Choir of the Year Howard Gospel Choir of Howard University (with Damien Sneed & The Levites)