Big, Bold, & Beautiful Kierra Sheard Tells Us How She Found Her Path, Her Voice, and Her Husband
- Maina Mwaura CrosswalkHeadlines Contributor
- Updated Apr 17, 2024
Gospel Award winner Kierra Sheard is a woman on a mission and seems to know where God is taking her on that mission. Sheard comes from a strong background in gospel music, having seen her parents on the same mission following after God. Kierra’s mother is a member of the influential gospel group the Clark sisters and her father leads an influential church in the Detroit area. But Kierra Sheard seems content in following the path that God has laid out for her alone. In a sit-down interview with CrosswalkHeadlines, Sheard shares her heart and story, revealing what motivates her to sing and to write books like her treatise on body positivity and spiritual self-care, Big, Bold, & Beautiful. She hopes her newest book Kiki Finds Her Voice can help others find the voice that God has given them.
CH: Where does your creativity come from?
Sheard: That's such a good question. The creativity comes from God who has allowed me to watch my parents live out their calling. A lot of people are familiar with both of my parents. My mother's a singer, writer and instrumentalist. My father, is an amazing pastor and businessman. So, I would say that God has allowed me to group with two great parents who modeled what it takes to be creative for God. Seeing how my parents have the passion for just people, not just ourselves to win, but we like to see others win.
CH: You seem to have four main talents: acting, singing, writing, speaking. Which one do you enjoy the most?
Sheard: You know that’s like asking me which child is my favorite. It all depends on what season I find myself in.
CH: Why do you love speaking to young women?
Sheard: It comes from watching my mom and seeing how she has done it so well. Having that connection and always wanting to see your sisters win and seeing what you and your sisters can do together and how you can empower other women comes from watching my mom and her sisters, that has also made me want to empower women as well.
CH: In your newest book Kiki, you talk about finding a voice. How did you find your voice?
Sheard: I found my voice from my family. I can remember in high school wanting to sing a secular song and having my mom shut it down. She knew that song wasn’t for me. My mom helped me find my voice for my generation.
CH: When you're ready to sing, what takes place?
Sheard: To be honest, sometimes I'm just going through the motions. I usually try to defeat that because for me it's ministry. At the end of the day, I want God to be pleased. I know when he's pleased. People are then blessed. Um, but sometimes I'll play things back and I'm just like, I don't know where that came from, when really, I do know where it came from. It came from me literally, you know, taking a disposition of surrender and just letting God have his way.
CH: In your acclaimed book The Vibes You Feel, you expressed your own issues growing up as a young adult. Why did you find it necessary to be vulnerable in the book?
Sheard: I know that I have a responsibility to the age group that are in their twenties. I remember myself in my twenties where I was on the brink of knowing it all, but also honestly saying to myself, you don't know it all. I found those advisors that I could connect to and relate to that I felt comfortable with. The book is literally me evolving in my relationships and empowering and giving the space for young adults to grow.
CH: Were there any specific challenges that you had in writing the book?
Sheard: The only challenge that I honestly faced was trying to make sure it didn't sound so much like another memoir. I wanted God and His word to be the main focus point.
CH: What advice do you give single women who are looking for a husband? You were very honest and vulnerable in sharing your journey in how God brought your husband to you.
Sheard: Make sure that man loves God more than he loves you. Because when you can't get him, God's going to get him. I'm thankful that God brought a good man to me. I think it also takes a village for the married couple. I always say the village is not just for the child, it's for the adult too.
Image credit: @kierrasheard on Instagram
