Plot Synopsis

THE SHEARDS is a reality series that follows gospel songstress Kierra Sheard and producer J. Drew Sheard Jr., the children of gospel icon Karen Clark Sheard and megachurch pastor Bishop J. Drew Sheard Sr., as they balance their careers with family, friends, and faith. At only 24, Kierra has experienced amazing commercial success in the gospel world -- releasing her own albums and appearing on tracks with her mother and other gospel music superstars. After recently being recognized with a Stellar Award for female vocalist of the year and releasing her fifth album, "Free," Kierra is ready to find her own, unique voice. As part of the transformation, Kierra is dropping her widely used nickname 'KiKi' so she can be taken more seriously in the music world. J. Drew, age 22, is on a mission all his own as he wades through his own transition period. Growing up in the church, his great grandfather, grandfather and father all became bishops. Now, Bishop Sheard is pushing his son towards the direction of the church, but J. Drew wants to focus on being the next big secular hit-making producer. J. Drew is also trying to maintain a civil relationship with Shantel, the mother of his two year old son, who wants to have a relationship with him beyond their son. Faced with having an empty nest as daughter Kierra searches for her own independence, Karen looks at her own life and the choices she has made, especially in contrast to her daughter. Karen is continuing to help guide her children in the right direction as they branch off into adulthood while reinventing her own career and keeping the family together. After rising through the church and becoming a Bishop, J. Drew Sr. feels the weight of the congregation on his shoulders as well as that of his family as he prepares to run for a higher office within his international Church of God In Christ denomination. BET premiered this series immediately after the 2013 CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL, during which Karen and Kierra performed together.