Jacqueline Lenita Clark-Chisholm (née Cullum; December 29, 1948), known professionally as Jacky Clark-Chisholm, is an American
Grammy
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...
Award-winning
gospel
Gospel originally meant the Christian message ("the gospel"), but in the 2nd century it came to be used also for the books in which the message was set out. In this sense a gospel can be defined as a loose-knit, episodic narrative of the words an ...
singer, songwriter, and
licensed practical nurse
A licensed practical nurse (LPN), in much of the United States and Canada, is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. In the United States, LPNs work under the direction of physicians, mid-level practitio ...
who is best known as the eldest member of the American gospel singing group
The Clark Sisters
The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (born 1948), Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford (born 1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (born 1957), and Karen Clark ...
.
Biography
Early life and career
Chisholm was born December 29, 1948, in Detroit Michigan, the second child of legendary gospel music innovator
Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark and her husband Leo Henry Cullum, Sr. When Chisholm was young, her parents divorced and her mother married Elbert Clark (d. 2001). This union produced her four younger sisters; Denise,
Elbernita,
Dorinda, and
Karen
Karen may refer to:
* Karen (name), a given name and surname
* Karen (slang), a term and meme for a demanding woman displaying certain behaviors
People
* Karen people, an ethnic group in Myanmar and Thailand
** Karen languages or Karenic l ...
, the group that would one day become The Clark Sisters. She attended
Mumford High School
Samuel C. Mumford High School is a public high school located on the near-northwest side of Detroit, Michigan. It was operated by the Detroit Public Schools, and had been operated by the Education Achievement Authority of Michigan (EAA). DPS re ...
in Detroit, Michigan, graduating in 1967. Their mother, who served as the
Church of God in Christ
The Church of God in Christ (COGIC) is a Holiness–Pentecostal Christian denomination, and the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States. Although an international and multi-ethnic religious organization, it has a predominantly Bl ...
's International Minister of Music and taught them to sing together in their father's church, created the gospel singing group
The Clark Sisters
The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (born 1948), Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford (born 1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (born 1957), and Karen Clark ...
with Chisholm and her sisters, and they released their first album, "Jesus Has A Lot to Give" in 1973. The group flourished and became known for their live performances and classic songs, including "Is My Living in Vain" and their biggest hit, "You Brought the Sunshine".
Solo career
On March 29, 2005, Chisholm released her first solo album, ''Expectancy'', on the Entheos Records label. On this album she teamed up with songwriter/producer Carnell Murrell, Autun Foster, and Doreonne Stramler. Recorded live at the Cathedral Center in Detroit, the album's background vocals were supplied by a special assembly of vocalists, which included two of her children, Angel and Aaron Chisholm, as well as Lorenzo Clark, her sister Denise Clark Bradford's son. The choir was directed by Bryon Stanfield. Her vision for the album is simply meant to “minister to the heart and soul, to restore the people of God who’ve been hurt working in the church.” Her signature vocals can be heard on “Oil of God,” “We Are Overcomers” featuring her sister
Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark
Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born November 15, 1954) is an American gospel singer, songwriter, composer, record producer, musician, and evangelist. Clark is best known as a member of the American gospel singing group the Clark Sisters. Clark is k ...
, and the urban Gospel tune “My Soul Says Yes.” The album also features a duet with Jacky and
Ron Winans
Ronald "Ron" Winans (June 30, 1956 – June 17, 2005) was an American Gospel singer who gained fame as a member of The Winans.
Biography
Early years
Ronald Winans was born the second of 10 children to David and Delores Winans.
Musical and bus ...
and a special appearance by the Clark Sisters together on “Blessing Me.” On March 25, 2014, Jacky released a single "My Season", accompanied with the song "On My Mind". This was the first release of new material since her 2005 solo debut. In 2020, she released a new single, “Feel Good” featuring
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige ( ; born January 11, 1971) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Often referred to as the " Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" and " Queen of R&B", Blige has won nine Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, four American Music Award ...
and rapper Tia P.
Stage performer
As a performer, Chisholm has often taken major roles in nationally touring gospel stage plays such as ''Lawd Have Mercy'', ''Mama Don’t'', ''Can A Woman Make A Man Lose His Mind'', and ''The Man of Her Dreams''.
Chisholm was portrayed by
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre,Although ''theater'' is generally the spelling for this common noun in the United States (see American and British English spelling differences), 130 of the 144 extant and extinct Broadway venues use (used) the spelling ''Th ...
actress Angela Birchett in the
Lifetime TV
Lifetime is an American basic cable channel that is part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, a subsidiary of A&E Networks, which is jointly owned by Hearst Communications and The Walt Disney Company. It features programming that is geared toward ...
biopic
The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, released April 11, 2020.
Musical influence
While her sibling counterparts are known for their impassioned vocals, Chisholm in contrast is known as the "sweet-voiced" sister. "I feel there is a need for more music that allows the listener to enter into praise and worship for the Lord," she asserts. "People have a need to meditate upon their own personal relationship with God, and I think that the kind of music I wish to perform will give them the space to reflect on God from their own points of view."
Within the Clark Sisters, Chisholm sings the alto and tenor lines; usually alto when all four are singing or Dorinda is leading, or tenor when Twinkie leads or does not sing. In addition to the songs she leads on such as Wonderful Counselor and I've Got An Angel, her unique vocal style can be clearly heard on their ''Miracle'' album, which was recorded during the period when Twinkie was not with the group. Due to her role in blending their harmonies, her sister Karen has referred to her as the "Engine that keeps the Clark Sisters going."
Other ventures
Chisholm is an evangelist at her home church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God In Christ in Detroit, Michigan where Presiding Bishop of the Church of God In Christ, the Most Reverend, Bishop J. Drew Sheard is Pastor, and is also the husband of her youngest sister, Karen. Chisholm served as Director of the Youth Choir for the Church of God in Christ, Inc. National Music Department. In 2018, she was appointed by Presiding Bishop Emeritus, Charles E. Blake as the Supervisor of Women for the 2nd Ecclesiastical Dominican Republic Jurisdiction.
In addition to singing with The Clark Sisters, Chisholm soon emerged as a formidable leader in business, becoming spokesperson for the group, managing promotion, correspondence, public relations, interviews, and the like, all while earning a nursing degree. She is a
Licensed Practical Nurse
A licensed practical nurse (LPN), in much of the United States and Canada, is a nurse who cares for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled. In the United States, LPNs work under the direction of physicians, mid-level practitio ...
and certified wound care associate. Along with her mother and sister Twinkie, Chisholm helped with the establishment of the
Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit, Michigan in 1979. Trusted as administrator of the school, she developed a curriculum and organized workshops that trained hundreds of students over the years.
Chisholm is also a spokesperson for the
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is a United States-based nonprofit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes and to help those affected by it through funding research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes (including type 1 diabetes, ...
, and has done radio and television commercials for
New York Life Insurance
New York Life Insurance Company (NYLIC) is the third-largest life insurance company in the United States, the largest mutual life insurance company in the United States and is ranked #67 on the 2021 Fortune 500 list of the largest United State ...
. Moreover, her stature provided her a platform as a motivational speaker for fundraisers such as H.O.P.E. South Africa in Johannesburg, South Africa. Professionally, Chisholm has been an instructor for the
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross (ARC), also known as the American National Red Cross, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States. It is the desi ...
for 10 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in Family Life Education and Psychology and plans to open a counseling center for battered women and children.
Personal life
Chisholm was married to Glynn Chisholm from May 5, 1973, until his death on November 28, 2019. Together, they had three children: Aaron, Michael, and Angelyn (Angel), and three grandchildren.
Angel currently serves as The Clark Sisters' musical director and backup singer.
Discography
Albums
Extended plays
Singles
;as lead artist
Awards
BET Awards
The
BET Awards
The BET Awards is an American award show that was established in 2001 by the Black Entertainment Television network to celebrate black entertainers and other minorities in music, film, sports and philanthropy. The awards, which are presented annua ...
are awarded annually by the
Black Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television (acronym BET) is an American basic cable channel targeting African-American audiences. It is owned by the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global via BET Networks and has offices in New York City, Los ...
network. Jacky Clark Chisholm has received 2 nominations.
Dove Awards
The
Dove Awards
A Dove Award is an accolade by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the Christian music industry. The awards are presented annually. Formerly held in Nashville, Tennessee, the Dove Award ...
are awarded annually by the
Gospel Music Association
The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1964 for the purpose of supporting and promoting the development of all forms of gospel music. As of 2011, there are about 4,000 members worldwide. The GMA's membership co ...
. Jacky Clark Chisholm has won 2 awards from 8 nominations.
Grammy Awards
The
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...
are awarded annually by the
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The Recording Academy (formally the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences; abbreviated NARAS) is an American Learned society, learned academy of musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other musical professionals. It is famous f ...
. Jacky Clark Chisholm has won 2 awards from 7 nominations.
NAACP Image Awards
The
NAACP Image Awards
The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People ( NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature. Similar to ...
are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (
NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909 as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans by a group including W. E.&nb ...
). Jacky Clark Chisholm has won 2 awards from 4 nominations.
Soul Train Awards
The
Soul Train Music Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards show which previously aired in national broadcast syndication, and honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the makers of ''Soul Train'', the pro ...
are awarded annually. Jacky Clark Chisholm has received 3 nominations.
Stellar Awards
The
Stellar Awards
A Stellar Award is an award presented by SAGMA to recognize achievements in the Gospel music, gospel music industry.[Sagma< ...](_blank)
are awarded annually by SAGMA. Jacky Clark Chisholm has received 8 awards and 1 honorary award.
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chisholm, Jacky Clark
American gospel singers
Singers from Detroit
Living people
21st-century African-American women singers
20th-century African-American women singers
American Pentecostals
Members of the Church of God in Christ
1948 births
African-American Christians