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Tell stories from the heart, according to visionary storyteller and multiple award-winning film maker, Christine Swanson at the virtual lunch and learn panel. Her journey began when she started as an indie filmmaker, and now she has directed the highest rated original movie of the year with 2.7 million total viewers with “The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel,” as she told the story of the highest selling female gospel group in history and of their trailblazing mother, Mattie Moss Clark.  

The story of the Clark Sisters consisted of a family in Detroit who fought the battle of abuse, rivalry, loss and rejection. The film showed the evolution of a mother who had a vision for her children and turned that dream into a reality. With hard work and consistency, the movie showed how anything is possible if there is hard work and faith.  

“Do not focus so much on the surface level,” Swanson said. She wanted to emphasize on the importance of how the Clark Sisters were more than just a gospel group, but a family who fought through different obstacles and were connected by the strength of their mother. “What God has for you, is for you,” Swanson said. The movie told a motivational story of how to overcome different battles, grow as family and connect with music.  

With major executive producers like Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott there was a sense that this movie was handled with care and good intentions. The movie starred Christina Bell as “Twinkie,” Kierra Sheard as “Karen,” Sheléa Frazier as “Dorinda,” Raven Goodwin as “Denise,” Angela Birchett as “Jacky” and Aunjanue Ellis as “Mattie Moss Clark” who stole the hearts of the public around the world. “If I’m Spike Lee, then she’s my Denzel Washington,” Swanson said.  

The Clark Sisters movie was a phenomenon across all social media platforms. With over 700,000 interactions on social media the general public gave all of their praises to such a remarkable film. “Despite the noise, the goal is always excellence,” Swanson said. With hard work and persistence this movie made the world smile with joy and excitement. The public was able to fall in love with the story of a family they grew up with or learned about for the first time.  

“Sometimes people have the agenda to just put content out,” Swanson said. She emphasized the importance of being delicate and passionate as she told this story. She made it her mission to make the world connect with the gospel group that reshaped the definition of gospel music.  

“Your journey is individual because it’s just you,” Swanson said. Throughout this movie viewers were able to identify what it means to follow the path that has been created. The film showed strength, connection and vocal excellence. For someone who has looked for a film that can create laughter, tears and motivation then this is the movie to see. The Clark Sisters have left their mark on this world and now their story will live on forever.