The Clark Sisters Biography: Members, Awards, Songs, Formation, Net Worth, Album, Parents, Ethnicity

The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group renowned as pioneers of contemporary gospel music and the highest-selling female gospel group in history.

Often called “The First Ladies of Gospel” and “The Queens of Contemporary Gospel,” they are credited with blending traditional gospel with elements of blues, jazz, R&B, and urban contemporary sounds to create “The Clark Sound.”

Formed in 1973 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., the group originally consisted of five sisters and rose to prominence under the guidance of their mother, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.

Led musically by Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark as the primary writer, arranger, and producer, they have achieved major recognition through classic hits like “You Brought the Sunshine,” “Is My Living in Vain,” and “Blessed & Highly Favored,” multiple Grammy Awards, and a lasting influence on gospel and mainstream music.

Quick Facts

• Members’ Real Names: Jacky Clark Chisholm, Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark-Terrell, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark Sheard (current core); Denise “Niecy” Clark-Bradford (past)
• Group Name: The Clark Sisters
• Active From: 1973
• Origin: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Gospel singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, evangelists
• Net Worth: $30 million

Early Life and Members

The Clark Sisters began as the daughters of Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, a renowned gospel musician, choral director, and composer, and her husbands.

The sisters started singing at an early age in the choir at their father’s Church of God in Christ in Detroit.

By the late 1960s, they were performing together in church services, often singing songs written and arranged by their mother.

Shortly after their parents’ divorce in 1973, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark formally organized them as “the Clark Sisters.”

The group evolved from church performances to professional recordings, initially under names associated with their mother’s presentations.

Twinkie Clark took on a central creative role, handling writing, arranging, conducting, and producing.

The collective shifted from traditional gospel toward a more innovative contemporary sound that incorporated diverse musical influences.

Jacky Clark Chisholm

• Date of Birth: December 29, 1948
• Age: 77 years old
• Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Ethnicity: African American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and Leo H. Cullum Sr.
• Siblings: The Clark Sisters
• Education: Unknown

As the eldest sister from her mother’s first marriage, Jacky developed her vocal talent singing in church from a young age. She has served as a steady harmonic voice in the group while also working as a licensed practical nurse.

Denise “Niecy” Clark-Bradford

• Date of Birth: September 10, 1953
• Age: 72 years old
• Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Ethnicity: African American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and Pastor Elbert Clark
• Siblings: The Clark Sisters
• Education: Unknown

One of the middle sisters, Niecy contributed her voice during the group’s early years. She left the group in 1986 and has since been largely estranged from the family and the public spotlight.

Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark-Terrell

• Date of Birth: November 15, 1954
• Age: 71 years old
• Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Ethnicity: African American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and Pastor Elbert Clark
• Siblings: The Clark Sisters
• Education: Unknown

Known as the musical leader and “Mother of Contemporary Gospel,” Twinkie developed strong skills as a singer, songwriter, organist, arranger, and producer. She assumed creative control of the group’s recordings and has pursued solo ministry and music projects.

Dorinda Clark-Cole

• Date of Birth: October 19, 1957
• Age: 68 years old
• Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Ethnicity: African American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and Pastor Elbert Clark
• Siblings: The Clark Sisters
• Education: Honorary Doctorate of Divinity; later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theology

Nicknamed “The Rose of Gospel,” Dorinda grew up singing in church and developed a powerful, emotive vocal style. She has balanced group work with solo recordings, evangelism, and hosting.

Karen Clark Sheard

• Date of Birth: November 15, 1960
• Age: 65 years old
• Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Ethnicity: African American
• Religion: Christian
• Parents: Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and Pastor Elbert Clark
• Siblings: The Clark Sisters
• Education: Unknown

The youngest sister, Karen emerged as a standout vocalist and songwriter. She has enjoyed a highly successful solo career alongside group duties and serves as First Lady in her husband’s ministry.

Formation

The Clark Sisters officially formed in 1973 when Dr. Mattie Moss Clark organized her daughters as a professional unit shortly after her divorce.

They recorded their first album, Jesus Has a Lot to Give, that same year on a local label.

Key milestones include signing with Sound of Gospel Records in 1974, the departure of Denise in 1986, and various reunions.

The group name reflects their family identity with no deeper symbolic meaning documented.

Their breakthrough recognition came through early albums and the massive success of live recordings in the 1980s.

Career

In their formative years, The Clark Sisters focused on church performances and independent recordings.

Their first projects included Jesus Has a Lot to Give (1973) and albums released under their mother’s direction.

They built a following in Detroit’s gospel scene while navigating the transition from family choir to professional group, releasing titles like Unworthy and Count It All Joy on Sound of Gospel.

The group achieved major success with the live album Is My Living in Vain, which topped Billboard gospel charts for over a year and featured enduring hits like the title track and “Expect Your Miracle.”

Their 1981 album You Brought the Sunshine delivered the crossover hit “You Brought the Sunshine,” which reached the R&B charts and brought wider visibility.

This period established them as innovators of contemporary gospel.

The Clark Sisters released a string of successful albums through the 1980s on labels including Rejoice/Word and Sparrow, including Heart & Soul, Conqueror, and Bringing It Back Home.

Members pursued solo careers — Twinkie with ministry-focused projects, Karen with the acclaimed Finally Karen, and Dorinda with her own releases — while the group influenced anime no, film, and mainstream R&B.

They reunited for the acclaimed Live…One Last Time (2007), which earned multiple Grammy Awards.

As of 2026, the core trio of Jacky, Twinkie (when participating), Dorinda, and Karen continues performing and recording as The Legendary Clark Sisters.

They remain highly relevant through legacy projects, honors (including a 2020 Lifetime Achievement recognition), and family collaborations involving the next generation.

Their global impact includes inspiring countless gospel and R&B artists, pioneering the contemporary gospel genre, and maintaining a legacy as the most successful female gospel group in history.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @thelegendaryclarksisters
• Facebook Handle: The Legendary Clark Sisters
• YouTube Channel: The Legendary Clark Sisters
• Official Website: theclarksisters.net

Personal Life

Jacky Clark Chisholm

• Height: Unknown
• Marital Status: Widowed (married to Glynn Chisholm from 1973 until his death in 2019)
• Children: Three (Aaron, Michael, and Angelyn)
• Dating History: Married to Glynn Chisholm for over 46 years; no other public relationships noted.

Denise “Niecy” Clark-Bradford

• Height: Unknown
• Marital Status: Unknown
• Children: Unknown
• Dating History: Limited public information available due to estrangement.

Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark-Terrell

• Height: 5’5″ (165 cm)
• Marital Status: Divorced (married three times, including to a man named Terrell)
• Children: One son (John Terrell)
• Dating History: Multiple marriages; currently divorced with focus on ministry.

Dorinda Clark-Cole

• Height: 5’6″ (168 cm)
• Marital Status: Married (to Gregory Cole since December 2, 1978)
• Children: Two (Nikkia Cole-Beach and Gregory “Jay” Cole Jr.)
• Dating History: Married to Gregory Cole for over 47 years.

Karen Clark Sheard

• Height: 5’7″ (170 cm)
• Marital Status: Married (to Bishop J. Drew Sheard since 1984)
• Children: Two living (Kierra “Kiki” Sheard and John Drew “J. Drew” Sheard II); one stillbirth
• Dating History: Married to Bishop J. Drew Sheard for over 40 years.

Discography

• Jesus Has a Lot to Give (1973)
• Mattie Moss Clark Presents The Clark Sisters (1974)
• Unworthy (1970s)
• Count It All Joy (1970s)
• He Gave Me Nothing to Lose (1970s)
• Is My Living in Vain (live, major hit)
• You Brought the Sunshine (1981)
• Sincerely (1982)
• Heart & Soul (1986)
• Conqueror (1988)
• Bringing It Back Home (1989)
• Miracle (1994, as trio)
• Live…One Last Time (2007)
• The Return (2020)

Net Worth

Clark Sisters has an estimated net worth of approximately $30 million.

This figure is derived from decades of success as the highest-selling female gospel group in history, with primary income sources including music sales and streaming of their extensive catalog (especially enduring hits like “You Brought the Sunshine” and “Is My Living in Vain”), live tours and performances, solo projects by members, publishing royalties, Grammy-winning releases, and ministry-related activities such as speaking engagements and evangelism.