Artist Spotlight - Kierra "KiKi" Sheard

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Sheard spent her formative years surrounded by the strong influences of her family, their faith, and their music. At age 6, she began singing in the choir at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, pastored by her father Superintendent J. Drew Sheard. Even at a young age, Sheard had a preternatural grip on the signature "Clark sound" pioneered by her mother and aunts.

Sheard made her stage debut at the age of 10 duetting with her mother on the Twinkie Clark-penned "The Will Of God", the standout closing track from her mother's debut solo album Finally Karen in 1997. The song won a Stellar Award for Best Children's Performance the following year. In the years following, she honed her skills as a performer accompanying her mother on stage. By 2003, EMI Gospel sign[ed] Kierra to her first recording contract.

Kierra is currently a freshman at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where she is studying entertainment law. Though originally a criminal justice major, the decision to switch to entertainment law was definitely influenced by her growing career in the gospel music industry.[5] Though her touring schedule has been curbed to accommodate her academic goals, Sheard did embark on a Japanese tour with her mother Karen Clark-Sheard in August 2006.

In addition to performing at the 2007 Stellar Awards, ("Why Me?"), Sheard appeared on BET's Celebration of Gospel standing in for Faith Evans in "Endow Me" (as popularized by Sheard's aunts) along with Coko, Lil' Mo, and Fantasia. Sheard also sang with her mother for A Tribute to Aretha Franklin.


Discography

•  I Owe You - Release Date: 8/10/2004, Tracks: 10, Label: EMI Gospel
• Just Until... - Release Date: 8/2/2005, Tracks: 9, Label: EMI Gospel
• This Is Me - Release Date: 6/27/2006, Tracks: 13, Label: EMI Gospel
• Bold Right Life - Release Date: 10/28/2008, Tracks: 10, Label: EMI Distribution

Check Kierra out on Amazon.com.

Info from http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=579

9/11

Where were you today when the towers fell?

Today as we remember those who lost their lives on this day, know that God is with us. HE is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He loves us and that will never change.

"Lord, I pray that you will help us forgive, you will help us love and that we will stop hating and hurting our neighbors but that we will show love in all that we do. We thank you for life and your love. Give us peace today as we remember, as we grieve. Renew us. In your precious Name we pray, Amen."

Grandma

Dreams

What are your dreams? What are your plans for the future?

Write them down. They can anything. Nothing is too silly or too crazy or too boring to go on this list. Dreams are those wonderful hopes and wants and desires that God places in us.

After you write your list I want you to post it on your wall in your room, on your locker door, or if you want to keep it private, in your journal; any place where you can look at them, often. Why?

When I was in Jr. High I wrote down my dreams. As I've gotten older some of my dreams have changed but quite a few have stayed the same. But being reminded of what I wanted and who I desire to be has kept me focused, working toward my goals.

Remember though that dreams aren't set in stone. They change and thats ok. Be open to that.

Now there's one more thing I want you to do, if you're up to it and can handle it. I want you to take your list and give it to God. Say, "Lord these are my dreams, my wants, and desires. I give them to you, to fulfill them in my life." Then ask Him to make His desires and dreams for your life, your desires and dreams. Be sincere.

When I first made my list, being a youth leader wasn't on it. Lol. But I did have on my list to be a teacher. Now I meant a classroom teacher at the time, but after I gave my list to God, He changed my dreams. I'm not a classroom teacher but I am a teacher as a youth leader.

Don't ever stop dreaming but I dare you to include God in your dreams. They will blow your mind and take you on a much bigger journey then you would have taken yourself on.

Grandma