Aahana Swrup
The Christine Swanson Lifetime directorial ‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel’ presents a dramaticized telling of the lives of the titular Clark Sisters, one of the most celebrated gospel musicians of their time. The drama film follows Mattie Moss Clark, the ambitious mother who coached her five daughters, Twinkie, Karen, Dorinda, Denise, and Jacky, in the art of gospel music to lay out the foundation for their successful futures.
Still, even after honing their talents, the sisters—hailing from Detriot, Michigan—first had to overcome numerous challenges, including loss, rejection, inter-rivalries, and more, to finally reach their full potential. The film expertly balances out the sentimental and musical aspects that define the Clark Sisters’ narratives to bring a fleshed-out and authentic tale of their rise to fame. Consequently, this larger-than-life origin story of industry legends must’ve roused some curiosity about the off-screen inspirations behind the characters and their stories.
The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel is Based on the Lives of the Legendary Musicians
‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel’ is a biographical film that brings the true story of the Clark Sisters to the screen. Screenwriter Sylvia L. Jones and Camille Tucker, who penned the screenplay, amassed notable beats from the personal and professional lives of the Clark family to craft a cohesive narrative around the sisters’ careers, which took them to unimaginable heights. The eldest of the group, Jacqueline ‘Jacky’ Clark, was born in 1948 to Dr. Mattie Moss Clark during her first marriage to Leo H. Cullum, which also produced her first son, Leo Jr. Eventually, that marriage ended in a divorce, and Mattie went on to have a second marriage to Pastor Elbert Clark. She had four daughters from this relationship: Denise, Dorinda, Karen, and Elbernita, a.k.a. Twinkie.
Raised in Detroit, Michigan, the Clark Sisters became choir singers at an early age and received training from their mother, who was the choir director for the Church of God in Christ. In 1973, Mattie’s brother, Bill Moss, signed the girls to his local label, Billesse Records, and the Clark Sisters recorded their first official album, ‘Jesus Has a Lot to Give.’ Eventually, the group found traction in Detroit, and a year later, they signed with Sound of Gospel Records. Thus, the group continued putting out more albums under Twinkie’s guidance, who inherited the reigns from Mattie. Notably, she was responsible for most of the writing behind the group’s musical endeavors.
As a group, The Clark Sisters garnered much fame and recognition, winning multiple Grammy Awards and becoming the highest-selling female gospel group in history. By 1986, Denise left the group and pursued another passion, setting out on the path to religious ministry. The rest of the sisters continued to have a thriving career as a group for many years after. However, after the release of their studio album ‘Miracle,’ the Clark Sisters took a brief pause as each member pursued their own solo careers. As such, their story remains one of artistry, family, and sisterhood—all of which become the driving themes of Christine Swanson’s Lifetime biopic.
Denise Clark-Bradford is Now an Apostle
Denise Clark-Bradford’s departure from the Clark Sisters has always been a subject of intrigue and controversy. Although initially, there were rumors that the second oldest sister had been kicked out of the group, she eventually cleared the matter up for the public in 2019. As per her account, she left the family and limited her connections with them because of their lack of support after she became pregnant out of wedlock by a bishop. Furthermore, she alleges that her family encouraged her to have an abortion. For the same reason, Denise decided to walk away from her sisters—both in a professional and personal capacity—and kept her interactions with her family limited over the years.
Reportedly, the first time Denise saw her sisters after her exit was in 1994, after their mother, Mattie Moss Clark, died. Unfortunately, her relationship with the rest of the Clark Sisters has remained strained over the years. On numerous occasions, she has accused her sisters of lying and manipulation and continues to deny any rumors of reconciliations—or even attempts at the same. Even so, she continues to cherish the bond they once had and even occasionally reminisces about the old days through social media posts or birthday wishes. Similarly, she’s close to her nephew and nieces, balancing complicated family dynamics with grace.
On the other hand, Denise continues to flourish in her own life. She is currently an Apostle who has her own ministry in California, where she resides with her family. She was the mother of seven boys but has sadly experienced the loss of two of her sons, Julian Matthew Jeremy Morrison and John Aljino. Still, she keeps the two men and their families alive in her memory. Of her other kids, Lorenzo “Larry” Clark is also in the entertainment business as a producer, singer, and songwriter who has collaborated with the Clark Sisters. Similarly, Denise herself retains her connection with her fans through her YouTube Channel, personal merch store, and her ministry—where she continues to share her love for God through music.
Jacky Clark Chisholm Recently Released Her Second Solo Album
After the initial Clark Sisters run, Jacky Clark Chisholm released her first solo album, ‘Expectancy’ in 2005. She collaborated with multiple of her family members on the album—from her children and her sisters to her nephew Larry Clark. The album was an impressive success and continued showcasing Jacky’s powerful vocals and her reflection on God. Since then, the Clark Sisters have reunited professionally, releasing their seventeenth album—aptly titled ‘The Return’—in 2020. Between the album and the Lifetime biopic, Jacky has been mostly involved in revisiting pop culture as a part of the legendary gospel group. However, that doesn’t mean the musician has given up on her solo career. In November 2023, she released her second solo album, ‘Jacky?’ exploring a unique side of her identity and artistry.
Apart from Jacky’s musical endeavors—both as a solo artist and a part of the Clark Sisters—she is also deeply involved in the Church. She is a licensed evangelist and holds the position of Chairperson Supervisor of Michigan North Central Women’s Department in the Church Of God In Christ. She also serves at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC and continues spreading the love and message of the Lord. Furthermore, she also sports a career as a nurse. Since her husband, Glynn Chisholm’s passing in 2019, she has been surrounded by the love and support of her three kids, Aaron, Michael, and Angel, multiple grandkids, extended family, and an evergreen fanbase.
Twinkie Clark Recently Celebrated Her 70th Birthday in a Tribute Concert
Elbernita “Twinkie” Dionne Clark has an extensive solo career outside of her contribution to the Clark Sisters. She released her first solo album, ‘Praise Belongs to God,’ in 1979, with much acclaim and fanfare—even snagging the 28th spot in Billboard’s 1981 year-end Spiritual Albums chart. Similarly, her other albums, from 1981’s ‘Ye Shall Receive Power’ to the more recent ‘Live & Unplugged’ from 2013, all did numbers on the charts. Her most recent album outside of the gospel group remains the collaborative record ‘The Generations’ that she and Larry Clark released in 2020.
As such, Twinkie’s solo career, as well as her role in the Clark Sister, in which she has always been a notable songwriter, has cemented her legendary influence over gospel music for generations to come. To celebrate this longevity and much more, the musician put on a grand event at Michigan Dearborn’s Ford Community & Performing Arts Center on November 2024 in celebration of her 70th birthday. Artists like Kim Burrell, Damien Sneed, and more were also in attendance at the event. Thus, surrounded by large crowds of her fans, the Hammond Hall of Fame inductee commemorated the milestone birthday with her friends and family.
Dorinda Clark-Cole is Thriving Across Multiple Endevours
Dorinda Clark-Cole, known as the Rose of Gospel Music for her flowery ministry services, has been sustaining a prospering career in the overlap of music and religion for a long time. After her marvelous time performing as a part of the Clark Sisters, she came out with her debut solo album ‘Dorinda Clark-Cole’ in 2002. Simultaneously, she became an ordained evangelist minister at the Church of God in Christ. As such, she has ministered to many services—both domestically and internationally, ministering pulpits from England, Germany, and Korea to South Africa and more.
Similarly, Dorianda also bloomed in her musical endeavors, especially when her fifth solo album, ‘Living It,’ received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Gospel Album. Most recently, she has expanded upon her solo discography through ‘Determined,’ her 2024 album. Alternatively, the musician is also engaged in various other professional undertakings, including her clothing line Divine Apparel and Duran Cosmetics. She also holds the position of CEO at Lifeline Productions, her self-founded organization that works with aspiring artists. Meanwhile, in her personal life, Dorinda enjoys an almost 50-year-old marriage with Gregory Cole, with whom she has two wonderful kids, Gregory “Jay” Cole Jr. and Nikkia Cole-Beach. The latter reportedly runs a senior daycare, Grace House, with her mother.
Karen Clark Sheard Has a Grammy-winning Solo Career
Karen Valencia Clark Sheard, the youngest member of the Clark Sisters, has charted a triumphant career for herself over the last few years. She forrayed into her solo career in 1997 with the album ‘Finally Karen,’ which was received with overwhelming praise and love. In fact, it snagged the musician her first solo Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Although 2008 brought a Grammy win for Karen and her sisters as a group, the former won another Grammy for her solo career in 2010 for her and Donnie McClurkin’s record ‘Wait on the Lord.’ From there, more Grammy nominations followed, cementing her career in critical acclaim.
Karen’s latest album, ‘Still Karen,’ released in 2024, is similarly adding many accolades to the gospel singer’s career through NAACP Image Award nomination and impressive performance on the Billboard charts. Outside of her career as a gospel musician, she also serves as a minister for the Church of God in Christ, where her husband, J.Drew Sheard, was recently re-elected as a Bishop. The couple have been married for around 40 years and continue to sport a successful partnership together—even launching a new record label, Karew Records, together in 2009. They also have two kids, J.Drew Sheard II and Kierra Sheard, who can be frequently spotted on Karen’s Instagram as she continues supporting them in their various life endeavors.
The Clark Sisters Earned the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024
Alongside thriving in their personal lives and solo careers, the Clark Sisters—now made up of Jacky, Twinkie, Dorinda, and Karen—also continue to grow together as a gospel group. Their 2020 album ‘The Return’ served as their comeback after almost a decade of radio silence as a group. Thus, the album seems to have reignited the Clark Sisters’ professional collaboration. In 2024, their influence and legacy were finally recognized by the critics as the two-time Grammy-winning group received the honor of a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Recently, they embarked on Kirk Franklin’s 2024 Reunion Tour, where they came together as a group, delivering some of their greatest hits. Likewise, they also attended the 41st annual banquet honoring Martin Luther King Jr. where they performed together as a gospel group. Thus, as the sisters continue to be surrounded by each other’s love and support—both on and off stage—they continue to remain on the path of greatness.
Read More: 20 Best 90s Lifetime Movies You Must Watch
