Alla Tha's All Right, But By June Jordan (Grades 4-6)

June Jordan is an extremely well known black poet born in Harlem, New York. She is known for her powerful commitment to human and womens rights and political activism. Over her entire career, she has written 27 volumes of essays, poems, libretti, and different works for children. Jordan is engaged with the fundamental and important struggles of her era that include civil rights, women's rights, and sexual freedom. Her works are often very personal and a strong representation of personal experience. Both of her parents were Jamaican immigrants, having a difficult relationship with her father. She was sent to prep school where she was the only Black student there, but thankfully teachers encouraged her to pursure her interest in poetry and writing. Jordan has taught at many of the world's most prestigous universities including Yale and the University of California-Berkeley.