As uGospel.com predicted last week during our exclusive interview, Kierra Sheard’s fifth studio album, GRACELAND, debuted at number one on Billboard’s Gospel Albums chart and number 33 on the Top 200 chart this week. “Mainstream, urban gospel, contemporary are all labels that could definitely fit the description of her new album,” says Latrea Morrow from Chicago Gospel Music Examiner.
The newest judge on BET’s 7th season of “Sunday Best” gets personal on GRACELAND and shares her ongoing inner battle between self-conviction and condemnation. Gail Mitchell from Billboard states, “Sheard’s triumph over turmoil ultimately triggered what is arguably her best and most versatile work to date. GRACELAND brims with self-introspection and lessons learned as a fearless Sheard bares her soul and shares a revelatory, yet joyous journey that everyone can personally embrace.” Kierra collaborated for the first time with celebrated pop songwriter Diane Warren (Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Céline Dion) and rising songwriter/producer Harmony Samuels (Ariana Grande, Fantasia, Michelle Williams).
In addition to promoting Graceland, Kierra recently launched a signature hosiery line distributed by Walgreens and recently finished filming the second season of her family’s BET weekly docu-drama, “The Sheards.” Kierra’s philanthropic campaigns include her youth organization: BRL (Bold! Right! Life!). The Non-profit is fifteen chapters strong and is staging its 9th annual conference (Aug. 7-9) in her hometown Detroit. Sheard recently launched a PSA campaign with Saving our Daughters to support young girls battling homelessness and date abuse.
