Kierra Sheard To Be Honored With BMI Impact Award
Award-winning artist and songwriter Kierra Sheard will receive the BMI Impact Award at the 2026 Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards at BMI’s Nashville office on July 21.
Sheard will receive the award in recognition of her impressive career and impact on the future of gospel music. An acclaimed artist, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur whose voice and innovative sound have made her one of the most influential figures in contemporary Gospel music, Sheard was born into Gospel royalty as the daughter of Grammy-winning singer and pastor Karen Clark Sheard and Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Sr., pastor of Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ. Known for blending traditional gospel with contemporary R&B influences, she has expanded the reach of gospel to a new generation of listeners.
Since making her debut as a solo artist in 2004 with I Owe You, Sheard has gone on to release multiple chart-topping albums and singles. Five of her albums have reached the top spot on Billboard‘s Top Gospel Albums chart, with several singles having reached the Billboard Gospel Airplay and Hot Gospel Songs charts. Her album KIERRA earned widespread praise and contributed to her growing list of industry accolades, and subsequent releases have further solidified her standing as a leading voice in gospel music. In addition to her solo success, she has collaborated with some of the most respected artists in gospel music, showcasing her versatility and influence across the genre.
Throughout her career, Sheard has received numerous honors, including four Grammy nominations, seven Stellar Awards, three Dove Awards, four BMI Awards, and she was named BMI’s Gospel Songwriter of the Year in 2022.
