![]() In addition to her work with Franklin, Figueroa-Cooper has also worked alongside some of music’s leading voices, including Alicia Keys, John Legend, John Mayer, Kim Burrell, Ledisi, Israel Houghton, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, John P. You can hear her distinguished vocals on the platinum-selling, multi-award-winning albums “Hero,” “The Fight of My Life,” “Hello Fear” and “Long Live Love.” She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of New Haven.įor the last 15 years, she has recorded, traveled, and performed as a featured singer with international recording artist Kirk Franklin. LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, also known as the original “FAME” school. The Lord has so many things for so many of us to do.”įigueroa-Cooper graduated from the iconic Fiorello H. “Faith and inspiration have been the driving force of my career,” notes Sheard. “When I was eight, I decided that when I get to this place in my career, I want to have this on my record.” And the album’s uplifting music, lyrics and overall message provide a fitting sanctuary during this troubled time. Singing professionally since she was nine years old, Sheard says she knew beforehand that an album like “Kierra” was in her future. “But over time, I learned that when you can relate to the right woman, someone who aims to be honest and have integrity, she’ll give you what you put out and more.” ![]() ![]() “When I was younger, I was betrayed and misunderstood,” says Sheard. They “brought the sunshine from the church to the club,” sings Sheard, a reference to the controversy that engulfed the Clark Sisters’ ultimately career-defining hit, 1981’s “You Brought the Sunshine.”Īlthough she’s taking a break from pursuing her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Walden University, Sheard is still helming the mentorship program for women she christened SistHER. Behind the scenes of recording “Kierra” over the last couple of years, Sheard wrote or co-wrote all of the tracks, including the beautiful ballad “Grateful,” the transparent “Human,” and the half-sung, half-rapped “Better.” On the latter song, Sheard namechecks her mother and Clark aunts, who encountered pushback in their own rise to gospel fame.
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