June Jordan

Contributions and Distinctions

June Jordan was an influential poet whose work addressed race, gender, sexuality, imperialism, and social justice. She founded Poetry for the People at UC Berkeley, which is a program that made poetry accessible, community oriented, and politically engaged. Through her teaching, she empowered generations of her students to use poetry as a tool for self-expression and social change. Her work helped create a bridge for literature and activism, leaving a lasting impact on both the university and in the world.

Biographical Sketch  

June Jordan (1936–2002) was born in Harlem, New York, to Jamaican immigrant parents. She taught at the City College of New York, Sarah Lawrence College, and Yale University before joining UC Berkeley in 1986 as a professor in English, Women’s Studies, and African American Studies. Jordan wrote poetry, essays, children’s novels, and speeches that challenged systems of oppression and promoted civil rights, feminism, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She used her work and teaching to inspire students and the broader community to see language as a means of resistance and liberation.