June Jordan, a Caribbean-American poet, was born on July 9, 1936 in Harlem, New York to Mildred Maud Jordan and Granville Ivanhoe. From a young age, Jordan showed a natural talent for writing and began penning poetry when she was only seven years old. She attended the prestigious Barnard College where she honed her craft and developed her unique voice as a poet.
In 1969, Jordan published her debut literary work, a collection of children's poems titled "Who Look at Me." This marked the beginning of a prolific literary career that would span nearly thirty works. Throughout her life, June Jordan used her platform as a poet to advocate for various social justice causes, including Civil Rights, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ equality. Her work was often infused with powerful messages of activism and resistance.
In 1955, Jordan married Michael Meyer, with whom she had a son named Christopher. The couple divorced a decade later, but Jordan continued to focus on her writing and activism, using her personal experiences as inspiration for her work. Despite facing personal struggles, Jordan remained dedicated to her craft and her commitment to fighting for justice and equality.
June Jordan's body of work includes acclaimed poetry collections such as "His Own Where" (1972), "I Was Looking at the Ceiling and then I Saw the Sky" (1995), and "Some of Us Did Not Die" (2003). Her poetry tackled a range of themes, from identity and belonging to love and social justice. Jordan's writing was praised for its lyrical beauty and powerful message, earning her numerous honors and awards throughout her career, including the prestigious Rockefeller grant for creative writing.
One of June Jordan's most notable supporters was the renowned author Toni Morrison, who praised Jordan's work and celebrated her contributions to literature and activism. Jordan's influence extended far beyond the literary world, as she inspired generations of writers and activists to use their voices for positive change.