June Jordan

June Jordan was a powerful American poet, essayist, and activist, whose work championed social justice, feminism, and Black liberation. Born in 1936 in Harlem, New York, to Jamaican immigrant parents, she began writing poetry as a child and later studied at Barnard College. Over her prolific career, Jordan published more than two dozen books, including poetry, political essays, and children’s literature. Her work often blended personal experience with broader political concerns, making her a vital voice in American letters.

As a bold and unapologetic author, June Jordan used her pen to confront racism, sexism, poverty, and war, while also celebrating love, identity, and resistance. Her poetry collections such as Things That I Do in the Dark and Haruko/Love Poems reflect her lyrical skill and emotional range. One of her most quoted lines is: “We are the ones we have been waiting for.” This statement has become a rallying cry for self-empowerment and collective action, embodying her belief in grassroots change.

Throughout her life, Jordan also taught and mentored young writers, notably at UC Berkeley, where she founded the influential Poetry for the People program. Another one of her powerful quotes is: “Poetry is a political act because it involves telling the truth.” For June Jordan, writing was both a form of healing and a tool for revolution. Through her fearless voice and enduring vision, she remains a beacon for writers and activists striving to speak truth to power.