Cheryl Clarke facts for kids

Cheryl L. Clarke (born in Washington, D.C. on May 16, 1947) is an American poet, writer, teacher, and activist. She is known for her work supporting fairness and equal rights, especially for Black women and LGBTQ+ people. Her studies often focus on books by African-American women and the history of Black artists creating new art.

For over 40 years, Cheryl Clarke worked at Rutgers University. She helped create an office that made the university a welcoming place for all students. Even after retiring, she still teaches and helps lead the Newark Pride Alliance, which supports LGBTQ+ people.

Early Life and Education

Cheryl Clarke grew up in Washington, D.C., during the civil rights movement. Her parents, James and Edna Clarke, taught her and her siblings about social justice. Her father, James, worked for the government for many years. Both parents believed it was important to stand up for what is right.

When Cheryl was 13, she learned an important lesson about activism. She crossed a picket line at a store where African-American people were protesting unfair rules. Her mother, who believed strongly in workers' rights, told her never to do that again. She explained how direct action helps bring change.

At 16, Cheryl's parents allowed her to attend the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. This was a huge event for civil rights. The day before the march, she even met Martin Luther King Jr., who would give his famous "I Have a Dream" speech the next day.

Cheryl Clarke went to Howard University and earned a degree in English in 1969. Later, she continued her studies at Rutgers University, earning several more degrees. She also started working at Rutgers in 1970. At Rutgers, she helped create programs that made the university more open to students of color and LGBTQ+ students. She retired from Rutgers in 2013 after 41 years.

Writing

Cheryl Clarke has written five books of poetry. These include Narratives: Poems in the Tradition of Black Women and Living as a Lesbian. She also wrote After Mecca — Women Poets and the Black Arts Movement, which looks at the work of women poets. Another book, Days of Good Looks: Prose and Poetry, 1980–2005, collects 25 years of her writings.

She also helped edit Conditions, an early magazine for lesbians. Her writings have appeared in many other books, magazines, and newspapers. Her articles are often used in college classes about women's studies, Black studies, and English.

The Black Arts Movement

The Black Arts Movement was a time between 1965 and 1975 when Black artists created new and powerful art. It was connected to the Black power movement, which fought for equal rights. This movement helped bring attention to the art of women and queer artists.

In her book After Mecca, Cheryl Clarke highlights women poets and writers from this time. She also wrote stories that put queer characters at the center. Like the Black Arts Movement, much of Clarke's work focuses on making sure Black queer women are seen and heard.

Community Work

Cheryl Clarke has served on the boards of many groups that help communities. These include the New Jersey Women and AIDS Network and the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice. She is also on the board of the Newark Pride Alliance. This group works to support LGBTQ+ people in Newark.

Cheryl Clarke lives in Jersey City, New Jersey. She and her partner, Barbara Balliet, own a bookstore called Bleinheim Hill Books.

Hobart Festival of Women Writers

In 2013, Cheryl Clarke and her sister Breena Clarke started the Hobart Festival of Women Writers. This festival celebrates published women writers. Every September, it offers workshops on reading and writing, art shows, and discussions.

Works

• Narratives: Poems in the Tradition of Black Women (1983)
• Living as a Lesbian (1986)
• Humid Pitch (1989)
• Experimental Love (1993)
• By My Precise Haircut (2016)

Images for kids

• Cheryl Clarke.jpg

  Cheryl Clarke, a poet, writer, teacher, and activist.