Yvette Clarke

Yvette Clarke
US House Office of Photography · Public domain · source
Name	Yvette Clarke
Birth date	November 21, 1964
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York City, New York
Nationality	American
Party	Democratic

Yvette Clarke is a U.S. Representative from New York, serving since 2007. She represents the 9th congressional district of New York, which includes parts of Brooklyn and Queens. Clarke is a member of the Democratic Party and has been involved in various organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the American Civil Liberties Union. She has also worked with notable figures such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi.

● Early Life and Education

Yvette Clarke was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, to Jamaican immigrant parents, Unis Clarke and Lesley Clarke. She grew up in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn and attended Edward R. Murrow High School. Clarke then went on to study at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, where she earned a degree in Sociology. During her time at Oberlin College, she was involved in various organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists and the Student Senate. Clarke has also been recognized by institutions such as Medgar Evers College and the University of the West Indies.

● Career

Before entering politics, Clarke worked in the New York City Council as the director of business development for the New York City Council's Committee on Contracts. She also worked with the United States Agency for International Development and the National Endowment for the Arts. Clarke has been involved in various community organizations, including the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce and the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry. She has also worked with notable figures such as David Dinkins, Rudolph Giuliani, and Michael Bloomberg.

● U.S. House of Representatives

Clarke was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2006, representing New York's 11th congressional district. She has since been re-elected several times, currently representing the 9th congressional district of New York. Clarke serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Small Business. She has worked with other notable representatives, including John Conyers, Maxine Waters, and Sheila Jackson Lee.

● Political Positions

Clarke has taken positions on various issues, including health care reform, immigration reform, and climate change. She has supported legislation such as the Affordable Care Act and the Dream Act. Clarke has also been a strong advocate for women's rights and LGBT rights, working with organizations such as Planned Parenthood and the Human Rights Campaign. She has also been recognized by institutions such as the NAACP and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

● Elections

Clarke has won several elections, including the 2006 election and the 2010 election. She has also faced challenges from opponents such as Chris Owens and Adem Bunkeddeko. Clarke has been endorsed by various organizations, including the New York State Democratic Committee and the Working Families Party. She has also received support from notable figures such as Bill de Blasio, Kirsten Gillibrand, and Chuck Schumer.