Born Alescia Nicole Knowles and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Lisa Knowles-Smith is a powerhouse vocalist, celebrated gospel recording artist, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, pastor, and author whose unmistakable voice and unwavering faith have made her one of the most respected and influential voices in traditional gospel music.

 

Affectionately known as a "quartet girl," Lisa was born into a rich musical legacy rooted in faith, family, and the powerful traditions of gospel quartet music. As the eldest of two children, she was surrounded by music from birth. By the age of three, her family recognized her extraordinary love for singing and her natural ability to deliver a song with conviction far beyond her years. Her mother, the late Vanessa Brown Knowles, often recalled that Lisa insisted on having a microphone in her hand, whether she was singing or not.

 

At just nine years old, Lisa began performing with her family's legendary gospel group, The Brown Singers, founded by her grandmother, Willie Mae Richmond, and carried forward by her mother. Audiences were immediately captivated by the little girl with the remarkably mature voice. By age twelve, Lisa had become one of the group's lead vocalists, appearing on their 1996 recording, Live in Memphis. What began as a young girl's love for music would ultimately blossom into a remarkable career spanning more than three decades.

 

As Lisa matured musically, her distinctive vocal style, commanding stage presence, and heartfelt delivery established her as a standout voice in gospel music. In 2012, while continuing to perform with The Brown Singers, she expanded her musical reach by joining James Fortune & FIYA as a background vocalist. She also toured with the acclaimed United As One Tour, sharing the stage with James Fortune, VaShawn Mitchell, Kierra Sheard, and Zacardi Cortez. Her vocal contributions were further highlighted on James Fortune & FIYA's project Live Through It, where she shared lead vocals on the powerful song "Miracles."

 

In 2014, Lisa and The Brown Singers released their nationally acclaimed album The Evolution Continues, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Gospel charts. The project marked a defining moment in the group's history and helped introduce their signature traditional gospel sound to an even broader audience. In 2015, The Brown Singers earned two Stellar Gospel Music Awards, including Quartet of the Year and Traditional Group/Duo of the Year.

 

Building on that success, Lisa stepped out on faith and founded EvoWorld Entertainment, Inc., an independent record label and entertainment company established to create opportunities for artists while preserving the authenticity and legacy of gospel music.

 

In 2016, she served as producer of The Brown Singers' album Evolution: The Legacy, further establishing herself as a creative force both behind the microphone and behind the scenes. Her entrepreneurial vision has since expanded EvoWorld Entertainment into a growing platform for artist development, music production, mentorship, and independent gospel music. Through her leadership, Lisa continues to champion emerging artists, encourage creative ownership, and develop the next generation of gospel music leaders. While continuing her work with The Brown Singers, Lisa also pursued her calling as a solo recording artist. In 2019, she released her national single "Great Big God," which debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard Gospel Sales chart. She followed with the worship anthem "All I Want" in 2020 and the virtual EP and video project Unleashed in 2021, which featured the viral quartet-inspired favorite "Jesus." These releases demonstrated her musical versatility and her ability to move seamlessly between traditional gospel, contemporary worship, and inspirational music without compromising her authentic sound.

 

Beyond the recording studio, Lisa has devoted much of her life to empowering others through ministry, mentorship, and personal development. In 2017, she founded the Loving Me Again Women's Retreat, an empowering gathering designed to encourage women to rediscover their identity, embrace healing, and walk confidently in their God-given purpose. The inaugural retreat welcomed more than 300 women to Birmingham, Alabama, for two days of transformational experiences. The retreat continued to impact lives through its finale in 2022, which brought together more than 200 women.

 

In 2024, Lisa graduated cum laude from Stillman College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, an achievement that reflects her commitment to education, personal growth, and understanding the emotional and spiritual complexities of the human experience. Her academic background has further enriched her ministry, leadership, writing, and mentorship.Lisa's influence extends into pastoral leadership, where she serves as Pastor of Vision and Development at Cornerstone Full Gospel Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In this capacity, she helps shape the church's vision, strengthen ministry leadership, develop strategic initiatives, and cultivate opportunities for spiritual growth and community engagement. She also serves as an overseer of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship's Daughters of Promise Choir, continuing her commitment to worship and musical excellence.