# Dorinda Clark-Cole

Dorinda Grace Clark-Cole (born Dorinda Grace Clark; October 19, 1957) is an American Grammy Award-winning gospel singer, songwriter, musician, talk show host, and evangelist. Clark–Cole is best known as a member of family vocal group The Clark Sisters and as a daughter of pioneering choral director Mattie Moss Clark. As a member of The Clark Sisters, Clark–Cole has won two Grammy Awards. She is known to the music world as the Rose of Gospel Music.

## Biography
### Early life

Clark–Cole was born on October 19, 1957, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Elbert and Dr. Mattie Moss-Clark. Clark–Cole began singing at an early age with her sisters Karen, Twinkie, Jacky, and Denise. The sisters sang in their father's church and usually performed songs written and composed by their mother. Clark-Cole, a soprano referred to as the "jazzy sister" of the group, helped develop what is known as "The Clark Sound", which often features high and fast melismas, riffs, runs, scats, and soulful growls. Clark–Cole attributes her fiery, convicting singing style to her mother, who saw the gift of singing and preaching in her at an early age. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, when other children their age were playing outside, Clark–Cole and her sisters had to work on their familial harmonies.
Clark–Cole says, "We made a lot of sacrifices. My mom was a stickler for making sure we rehearsed before we went out to perform. She saw the gifts and talents within us and started shaping and molding us. She taught us discipline along with how to use our gifts." Clark sang lead on "Overdose of the Holy Ghost", as well as on "My Redeemer Liveth", the B-side to The Clark Sisters' biggest single "You Brought the Sunshine".

### Recording career

Clark-Cole's self-titled solo debut, Dorinda Clark-Cole, released in June 2002 on Gospo Centric Records/Zomba Label Group, won two Stellar Awards and a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award. The album featured the hit single "I'm Coming Out". Her second album, The Rose of Gospel, was released under the same label in August 2005. The album debuted in Billboard's top 5 on the Gospel charts and garnered a Grammy Nomination for the Best Traditional Soul Gospel album and won 2007 and 2009 Stellar Award for the Best Female Artist of the Year. The live portions of both albums were produced by Asaph Ward.
After being pushed back from a prematurely stated date in late 2007, Clark–Cole's third solo album, also released on Gospo Centric Records/ Zomba Label Group, Take It Back, was released on April 15, 2008. Producers Alex "Asaph" Ward, PAJAM, and Rodney Jerkins contributed to the project. In 2009, Dorinda released a six-song (EP) album entitled In The Face of Change on September 21. It included hit songs such as "Change" written by her son Jay Cole and "BAMM" which was a "Verizon Select". Released on her own ministry label, "Harvestime Ministries", the album was never heard of until she announced it the day of its release. A video on YouTube has a preview of all of the new songs on the record. Another solo project, I Survived, was released in August 2011 under a new label, Light Records. The project also contains duet titled "Thank You" with her sister, Twinkie Clark. Clark–Cole was featured on the title track of Kirk Franklin's Hero album. In early 2009, Clark–Cole performed "Nothing but the Truth" for the Sojourner Truth unveiling on Capitol Hill for First Lady Michelle Obama and other officials. As a member of the Clark Sisters, Clark–Cole won three Grammys in 2008. Live – One Last Time won the Best Traditional Gospel Album. Its album track, "Blessed & Highly Favored", won the Best Gospel Performance as well as the individual Best Gospel Song. With the group she appeared nationally on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ABC's The View, Bobby Jones Gospel, Lift Every Voice, Gospel Superfest, TBN's Praise the Lord, The Stellar Awards and The Lady of Soul Awards.

### Personal and religious life

Clark-Cole has been evangelizing and making speaking engagements annually for over 30 years, along with her singing career and being a wife and mother. Clark–Cole married Gregory Cole on December 2, 1978 and together they now have 2 children, Nikkia Cole-Beach and Gregory "Jay" Cole Jr. Dr. Cole also has two grandchildren. Clark–Cole ministers nationally as well as internationally in countries such as England, Japan, Germany, France, Korea and South Africa. She made history in South Africa, having been the first woman to minister in the pulpit to over 4,000 people. Clark-Cole is a staple in the Church of God in Christ of which she is a licensed National Evangelist, Assistant State Mother for the Michigan North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction,Former Vice-President of The Music Department and in 2016, was appointed by Former Presiding Bishop Charles E. Blake as the Elect Lady of the COGIC's International Evangelism Department. She taught at the Clark Conservatory of Music in Detroit and is an administrator of ministry at the Greater Emmanuel Institutional COGIC.
Clark-Cole's preaching ministry has also gained interest within academic spaces. According to scholar of religion Ashon Crawley, By attending to the Black Pentecostal aesthetics of whooping found in Clark-Cole's "Why Do I Come Back for More" sermon, Clark-Cole's homily is examined as producing the worship space as a discontinuous and open sonic space, open to the other voices that both proceeded her moment of being overcome with Spirit -such that other women gathered around, held and hugged her -and extended the preacherly moment by sociality, through opening up and diffusing the very grounds for the concept, for preaching, for listening, for breathing. Crawley would go on to offer a reading of Clark-Cole's whooping that places the fundamental quality of such aesthetic sociality, not in the fact that it can be shared but in the fact that it must be shared by all, for vitality, for life. This sharing in and as commons, Crawley argues, enacts violence against any form of marginalization or oppression.

### Other career ventures and accomplishments

Clark–Cole is the new host of TCT Network's Dorinda Show, co-host of TCT's Celebrate on the Road, former Stellar Awards host, guest judge on Verizon's "How Sweet The Sound" national televised competition, and the former spokes-model for Donna Vinci Clothing, and her "Rose Collection" is now distributed by Terra Mina Fashions. She has since partnered with MR. SONG, a fashion designer of Detroit, in creating The Bloom Collection, a couture collection of hat adorning accessories. She is national radio host of Serving Up Soul with Dorinda Clark Cole which syndicates to 50 affiliated radio stations. She is also the Founder and CEO of Lifeline Productions Inc., which holds an annual Singers & Musicians Conference. Through this conference it is her goal to educate a new generation of ministers of the importance of "keeping ministry in the music" by offering various activities including daily workshops and evening worship services featuring from artists whose ministries have gone beyond ministering in song. In September 2004 she received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Mt. Carmel Theological Seminary of Fresno, California.
Clark–Cole says that if she did not have a career in music that she would be "dancing on Broadway", and her dream would be "to sing with Bette Midler, Cher and Celine Dion". She is currently represented by Keith Douglas, CEO of RKD Music Management in Los Angeles, California.

## Discography
### Solo albums

| Title | Album details | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions | Chart positions |
| Title | Album details | US | US Gospel | US Christ. | US Indie |
| Dorinda Clark-Cole | Released: June 11, 2002 Label: GospoCentric (#70033) Formats: CD, cassette, digital download, streaming | — | 5 | 14 |
| Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel | Released: August 16, 2005 Label: GospoCentric (#82876706112) Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 159 | 3 | 4 | — |
| Take It Back | Released: 2008 Label: GospoCentric (#710027) Formats: CD, streaming | 104 | 3 | — | — |
| I Survived | Released: August 30, 2011 Label: Light, eOne (#CPD-CD 7229) Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | 120 | 3 | — | 23 |
| Living It | Released: February 17, 2015 Label: Light (#LIG-CD-7302), eOne (#LIG-CD-7362) Formats: CD, digital download, streaming | — | 2 | — | 14 |
| Determined | Released: November 29, 2024 Label: Malaco Formats: digital download, streaming | — | — | — | — |

### Collaborative Albums

| Title | Album details |
| Right Now God (with Alaska Mass Choir) | Released: December 20, 2006 Label: JDI Records Formats: CD, digital download, streaming |

### Extended plays

List of albums, with selected details :
| Title | Album details |
| In the Face of Change | Released: September 21, 2009 Labels: Harvestime Ministries Formats: Digital download, streaming |

### Singles
#### As a lead artist

List of singles, as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name :
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Year | Title | US Gospel | Album |
| "No Not One" (featuring J Moss) | 2002 | — | Dorinda Clark-Cole |
| "I'm Coming Out" | 2002 | — | Dorinda Clark-Cole |
| "Still Here" | 2002 | — | Dorinda Clark-Cole |
| "Great Is The Lord" | 2005 | 18 | Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel |
| "So Many Times" | 2006 | 21 | Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel |
| "Take It Back" | 2008 | 2 | Take It Back |
| "Change" | 2009 | — | Take It Back |
| "This Is It" | 2009 | — | Take It Back |
| "Back to You" | 2011 | 9 | I Survived |
| "He Brought Me" | 2011 | 16 | I Survived |
| "God Will Take Care of You" | 2011 | — | I Survived |
| "For My Good" | 2011 | — | I Survived |
| "Thank You" (featuring Twinkie Clark) | 2011 | — | I Survived |
| "You Are" | 2014 | 25 | Living It |
| "Bless This House" | 2014 | 12 | Living It |
| "Living It" | 2014 | — | Living It |
| "Great and Mighty" | 2023 |

#### As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name :
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Album |
| Year | Title | US Gospel | Album |
| "Hero" (Kirk Franklin featuring Dorinda Clark Cole) | 2005 | 25 | Hero |
| "YRM (Your Righteous Mind)" (Donald Lawrence & Co. featuring Dorinda Clark Cole) | 2010 | 15 | YRM (Your Righteous Mind) |
| "He Knows" (Karen Clark Sheard featuring Dorinda Clark Cole) | 2010 | 14 | All in One |
| "He Got Up" (VaShawn Mitchell featuring Dorinda Clark Cole), Sean Tillery & Changed) | 2018 | 15 | Cross Music |

### Guest appearances

* "Hero (featuring Dorinda Clark Cole)" – Kirk Franklin (from Hero)
* "Tis So Sweet" – Dorinda Clark Cole (from Build A Bridge)
* "Higher Ground" – Missy Elliott, Karen Clark Sheard, Kim Burrell, Mary Mary, Dorinda Clark Cole, and Yolanda Adams (from Miss E... So Addictive) (Elektra, 2001)
* "It Will All Be Worth It" – Mary Mary feat. Gospel Legends (from The Sound)
* "I'm Wrapped in You (featuring Dorinda Clark Cole)" – Bishop Eddie L. Long (from The Kingdom, Vol. 1 (feat. GW's))
* "Still Mighty, Still Strong (feat. Dorinda Clark Cole)" – Youthful Praise, Resting on His Promise (2009)
* "This is That" & "Luke 5" (Feat. Dorinda Clark Cole) – (Robi Rivers Presents The Voices of Calvary, LIVE 2015, Rivers of Melody Music Label)
* "Who's On The Lord's Side" (Feat. Dorinda Clark Cole) – Byron Cage, Malaaco 50th Anniversary 2018, Malaaco Records)

## Videography

List of albums, with selected details :
| Title | Album details |
| Dorinda Clark-Cole Live | Released: June 10, 2003 Label: GospoCentric (#70033) Formats: DVD |
| Live From Houston: The Rose of Gospel | Released: September 18, 2007 Label: GospoCentric (#828767061290) Formats: DVD |

## Filmography

* The Marriage Lover (2011)
* The Dorinda Show (2008–2011)
* How Sweet The Sound (2009)
* The Gospel According to Dorinda (2014–2016)

## Awards
### BET Awards

The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. Dorinda Clark-Cole has received 2 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 2008 | The Clark Sisters | Best Gospel Artist | Nominated |
| 2020 | "Victory" | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | Nominated |

### BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards

The BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards are awarded annually. Clark-Cole has been honored once.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 2024 | Herself | Trailblazer of Gospel Music | Honored |

### Dove Awards

The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Dorinda Clark-Cole has won 2 awards from 10 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1987 | Heart & Soul | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Won |
| 2008 | The Clark Sisters | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2008 | The Clark Sisters | Group of the Year | Nominated |
| 2008 | "Blessed and Highly Favored" | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2008 | Live – One Last Time | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2009 | "Take It Back" | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2018 | "He Got Up" (with VaShawn Mitchell) | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2020 | "Victory" | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2020 | Inspirational Film of the Year | The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel | Nominated |
| 2020 | Traditional Gospel Album of the Year | The Return | Won |

### Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Dorinda Clark-Cole has won 3 awards from 10 nominations, including a Lifetime Achievement award.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1983 | Sincerely | Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group | Nominated |
| 1987 | Heart & Soul | Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus | Nominated |
| 1988 | Conqueror | Best Soul Gospel Performance by a Duo or Group, Choir or Chorus | Nominated |
| 1990 | Bringing it Back Home | Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2005 | Live From Houston (The Rose of Gospel) | Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2007 | "Blessed & Highly Favored" | Best Gospel Performance | Won |
| 2007 | Live: One Last Time | Best Traditional Gospel Album | Won |
| 2008 | Take It Back | Best Traditional Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2009 | "Higher Ground" | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated |
| 2015 | Living It | Best Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2024 | The Clark Sisters | Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award | Honored |

### NAACP Image Awards

The NAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Dorinda Clark-Cole has won 2 awards from 4 nominations.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1983 | The Clark Sisters | Outstanding Gospel Artist | Won |
| 1989 | The Clark Sisters | Outstanding Gospel Artist | Nominated |
| 2020 | "Victory" | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song – Traditional or Contemporary | Nominated |
| 2021 | The Return | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album | Won |

### Soul Train Awards

The Soul Train Music Awards are awarded annually. Dorinda Clark-Cole has received 1 award.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 1988 | Heart & Soul | Best Gospel Album – Group or Choir | Nominated |
| 1989 | Conqueror | Best Gospel Album | Nominated |
| 2003 | Dorinda Clark-Cole | Lady of Soul Best Gospel Album | Won |
| 2020 | The Clark Sisters | Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | Nominated |

### Stellar Awards

The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Dorinda Clark-Cole has received 12 awards and 1 honorary award.
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
| 2003 | Dorinda Clark-Cole | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won |
| 2003 | Dorinda Clark-Cole | Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year | Won |
| 2007 | Live From Houston - The Rose of Gospel | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won |
| 2007 | Live From Houston - The Rose of Gospel | Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2007 | Live From Houston - The Rose of Gospel | Traditional CD of the Year | Nominated |
| 2008 | Live... One Last Time | CD of the Year | Won |
| 2008 | Live... One Last Time | Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2008 | Live... One Last Time | Group or Duo of the Year | Won |
| 2008 | Live... One Last Time | Traditional Group/Duo of the Year | Won |
| 2009 | Take It Back | Artist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2009 | Take It Back | Female Vocalist of the Year | Won |
| 2009 | Take It Back | Tradition Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2009 | Take It Back | CD of the Year | Nominated |
| 2009 | Encore: The Best of the Clark Sisters | Special Event CD of the Year | Won |
| 2010 | Silky Soul Music... An All-Star Tribute to Maze (with Kierra Sheard and J. Moss) | Special Event CD of the Year | Won |
| 2013 | I Survived | Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | I Survived | Contemporary Female of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | I Survived | Contemporary CD of the Year | Nominated |
| 2016 | Living It | Traditional Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2016 | Living It | Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated |
| 2016 | Bless This House | Song of the Year | Nominated |
| 2020 | The Clark Sisters | James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award | Honored |
| 2021 | The Return | Contemporary Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Won |
| 2021 | The Return | Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Nominated |
| 2021 | Gospel According to PJ | Traditional Duo/Group Chorus of the Year | Won |
| 2021 | The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack | Special Event CD of the Year | Won |