Someone once said, “One rose says more than a dozen.”
In the ever-expanding world of gospel music there is only one rose and her name is Dorinda Clark Cole. The multiple award-winning artist, interestingly, has something in common with James Brown. He was often described as “the hardest working man in show business.”
Dorinda Clark Cole may well be “the hardest working woman in gospel music.” That is in addition to being one of the most glamorous. The lady never stops moving. For her, there is no time for sitting still. Keeping up with the second youngest of the famed Clark Sisters can be an arduous task.
How busy is she? Consider: Cole has three (yes, three) television programs, “The Dorinda Show” that airs monthly on the TCT Network, “The Gospel According to Dorinda,” seen every second Monday on the Word Network, and “Celebrate Live,” airing once a month on the TCT Network.
Also, she has a radio program, “The Dorinda Clark Cole Radio Show.”
HER LENGTHY string of successful albums include “I Survived,” “Take It Back,” “Rose of Gospel,” “Dorinda Clark Cole,” “He Brought Me” and “In the Face of Change.” Her latest single is “You Are.” That, of course, is in addition to being on all of the Clark Sisters’ biggest and most loved songs, including “You Brought the Sunshine (Into My Life)” — which crossed over onto the R&B charts in the summer of 1983 — and “Is My Living in Vain?”
The Clark Sisters are Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark, Karen Clark Sheard, Jacky Clark Chisholm and Dorinda Clark Cole. The fifth sister, Denise Clark Bradford, was separated from the group many years ago, reportedly not under the best of circumstances.
Cole, assistant to the Elect Lady of the Department of Evangelism of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC), is also an administrator at Greater Emmanuel Institutional Church of God in Christ, in Detroit. In addition, she has two clothing lines, the DC Rose Collection and the DCC Couture Line, along with an array of other ventures.
HOW SHE manages to keep track of everything is anybody’s guess. It could be providence. And then there’s her family life, husband Gregory, their children, Nikkia Cole-Beach and Gregory Jr., and her grandson, Deon Beach Jr.
The roots of Dorinda Clark Cole, in terms of vocals, preaching, discipline and commitment to gospel music, can be traced directly back to her mother, the legendary Mattie Moss Clark, choir director, singer and songwriter.
“We made a lot of sacrifices,” Cole recalled. “My mom was a stickler for making sure we rehearsed before we went out to perform. If we had an engagement on a Saturday or Sunday, during the week she would call us in and say, ‘Hey y’all, I need you to come in here and rehearse.’ That’s when Mom started really putting the discipline in us. 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. We still have those gifts today. It was all in preparation for what we do today as recording artists, writers and producers.”
Cole believes her preaching ministry goes hand in hand with her singing ministry.
“I can’t leave the stage without saying something,” she stated with a laugh. “And when I preach I can’t leave without singing a line of something.”
Cole’s ministry is not confined to the United States. She has also preached in, among other places, Japan, England, Germany, England, Korea and South Africa.
BUT LIKE everyone else, Dorinda Clark Cole, despite all of her accomplishments and all of the sweet times, has had her share of trials. There was one in particular that put her to the test. She even contemplated suicide.
“At that time my mother was not with me to help me get through that rough time,” she remembered. “We were always dependent on our mom because she was always there. I didn’t understand why it was happening to me. I was devastated and it caused me to go into a state of depression.”
With great help from the Highest Power she was able to overcome, and because she has “been there” she is in a better position to help those who are going through something horrendous.
Today, Dorinda Clark Cole is in a happy place — singing her songs, preaching the Word and running her businesses, confident in the knowledge that despite all of her blessings, the best may well be yet to come. — SVH
Editor’s Note: The Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole 16th Annual Singers, Musicians & Arts Conference (SMAC) will take place Aug. 13-16, 7 pm nightly, at Mt. Pilgrim Church in Toledo. For tickets and more information, call 1.800.439.5198 or visit www.nationalsmac.com. Among the featured artists are the Rance Allen Group, Ricky Dillard & New G, Tasha Page-Lockhart and Dorothy Norwood, among others. There will be a special tribute to Vanessa Bell Armstrong and Edwin Hawkins. On Aug. 16 there will be a salute to Dr. Dorinda Clark Cole. Evening services are free.
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