Karen Clark Sheard is the youngest member of The Clark Sisters, one of the most famous siblings of gospel singers, having joined the group at the age of ten. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 15, 1960, the daughter of Mattie Moss Clark and Elder Elbert Clark contributed to her sisters' success throughout the 1970s and 1980s, before going solo. Three years after The Clark Sisters' album Mirage (1994), she released her first opus, Finally Karen (1997), a No. 2 hit in the gospel charts. This album, tinged with contemporary R&B, welcomed Faith Evans, Donald Lawrence, her daughter Kierra Sheard and her older sisters, who came to support her. Five years later, the big production 2nd Chance reached a wider audience. Produced by Timbaland, "Higher Ground" features Missy Elliott, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Dorinda Clark Cole, Mary Mary and Tweet. The singer continues in this gospel and R&B vein on The Heavens Are Telling (2003), It's Not Over (2006), All in One (2010) and Destined to Win (2015), still in the genre's top five bestsellers. Winner of numerous awards including five Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, three Dove Awards and twelve Stellar Awards, Karen Clark Sheard made her comeback in 2024 with the album Still Karen, which reached No. 9 in the gospel charts.
