Celebrating the Legacy of Lucille Clifton

Registration not required, but encouraged. Please register on Eventbrite here.

Presented in partnership with The Clifton House.

On the anniversary of Lucille Clifton’s passing, join Enoch Pratt Free Library and the Clifton House in a celebration of her generous spirit and writing. In this moderated conversation, Sidney Clifton is joined by her sisters Gillian Clifton and Alexia Clifton to discuss the literary legacy of Lucille Clifton. Moderating the conversation is Dr. Diedre L. Badejo. Poets Christell Victoria Roach and Clayre Benzadón will also share works inspired by Lucille's persevering influence on poetry and literature.

Sidney Clifton is the daughter of Lucille Clifton and President of The Clifton House, a center for underrepresented and emerging artists, activists, and writers in Baltimore. She is also Senior Vice president of Animation and Mixed Media at the Jim Henson Company and a senior consultant for Black Women Animate.

With 20 years in the Government Contracts industry, Gillian Clifton works as a Contracts Manager for a large organization employing 9000+ people and operating in over 27 countries.  She is responsible for the management of over $500M in contract awards. Having learned the importance of community involvement from her parents’ example, Gillian has volunteered her time with Habitat for Humanity, homeless shelters, local elementary schools, women's groups and diversity, equity and inclusion groups. In her spare time she enjoys reading, discovering new activities in the Washington metropolitan area, and spending time with her husband and daughter in their home in Fort Washington, Maryland.

Alexia Clifton is a health, fitness and wellness specialist with over 20 years of experience in the wellness industry.  She has owned and operated No Sweat Fitness, Inc. since 2002 and has volunteered with Former First Lady Michelle Obama's  "Let's Move" initiative and "Marathon Kids," a program aimed at promoting physical activity in schools.
 
She is certified with both the American Council on Exercise and the American Institute of Fitness Educators as a personal trainer, group exercise instructor and lifestyle/weight management consultant and enjoys spending down time with family and friends. She currently works as Director of Adult and Senior Programs and Services for Neighborhood and Community Services, a Fairfax County Virginia government agency.

Dr. Diedre L. Badejo, Ph.D, a native New Yorker, is University of Baltimore professor emerita of Comparative African and African Diaspora Literature, Culture and Historiography. Diedre holds a doctorate in comparative literature and a master's in African Area Studies specializing in West African oral and written literature, theatre, and history from UCLA, a bachelor's degree in English and African American literature from the University of Southern California. Diedre served as a board member of the Maryland Humanities Council, the League of Women Voters Baltimore City, and the Friends of the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore.

ASL interpretation will be available for attendees.

Purchase copies of Lucille Clifton's books, at https://www.theivybookshop.com/.