Kierra Sheard

About

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 (2004). 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.

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.

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…