Jacky Clark Chisholm
Jacky Clark Chisholm (born Jacqueline Lenita Cullum; December 29, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan) [1] is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer who is best known as the oldest member of the American gospel singing group The Clark Sisters.
Jacky Clark Chisholm | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jacqueline Lenita Cullum |
| Also known as | Jacky Clark-Chisholm |
| Born | December 29, 1948 |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Gospel |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Nurse |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | Entheos LENITA, Inc./UAMG |
| Associated acts |
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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, the group that would one day become The Clark Sisters. She attended Mumford High School in Detroit, Michigan, graduating in 1967. Influenced by their mother's work, Chisholm and her sisters formed the gospel singing group The Clark Sisters 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". [2]
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.” [3] Her signature vocals can be heard on “Oil of God,” “We Are Overcomers” featuring her sister Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark, and the urban Gospel tune “My Soul Says Yes.” The album also features a duet with Jacky and Ron Winans and a special appearance by the Clark Sisters together on “Blessing Me.” [4] 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 and rapper Tia P.[5]
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 actress Angela Birchett in the Lifetime TV biopic The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, released April 11, 2020.[6]
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." [7]
Other ventures
Chisholm is an evangelist at her home church, Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God In Christ in Detroit, Michigan where Bishop J. Drew Sheard is Pastor, and is also the husband of her youngest sister Karen Clark Sheard. Chisholm serves as Director of the Youth Choir for the Church of God in Christ, Inc. National Music Department. In 2018, she was appointed by Bishop 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. 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, and has done radio and television commercials for New York Life Insurance. 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 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. [8]
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, and three grandchildren. [9]
References
- "The Clark Sisters". Archived from the original on 2007-08-30. Retrieved 2007-08-27.
- "Black Music Month: The Clark Sisters". June 10, 2018.
- "Jacky Clark-Chisholm: Interview - Black Gospel Music Clef (BlackGospel.com) - May, 2005". www.blackgospel.com.
- "Jacky Clark-Chisholm: Expectancy". Amazon.com.
- "The Clark Sisters' Jacky Clark-Chisholm Teams with Mary J. Blige and Tia P for "Feel Good"". www.hallels.com.
- "The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel" – via www.imdb.com.
- "Jacky Clark-Chisholm: Expectancy Album Review". GospelFlava.com.
- Writer, Tony SauroRecord Staff. "Family legacy: Grammy Award-winning Clark Sisters are shaped in the image of their mother". recordnet.com.
- "The Clark Sisters' Jacky Clark-Chisholm Husband Passes, Celebration of Life Service Set for Monday, Dec. 9 in Detroit". Praise 96.5. December 6, 2019.