May 1st 2024.
Menah Pratt-Clarke's recently published book, Blackwildgirl: A Writer's Journey to Take Back Her Superpower, is a touching tribute to the essence of Black womanhood. In this moving autobiography, she delves into the systemic oppression faced by Black women and its far-reaching impacts.
Influenced by literary giants such as Alice Walker, Jasmine Mans, bell hooks, Audre Lorde, Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, and Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Blackwildgirl is a deeply personal account of Pratt-Clarke's journey to self-discovery, starting from her tender age of eight. On her website, she describes the book as a twelve-stage voyage of introspection, chronicled through her journal entries. Its overarching goal is to reclaim the inherent "childhood queen superpower" that was taken away without her consent by her parents.
"Our lives are often shaped by bargains, some of which we agree to, but most of which we do not," explains Pratt-Clarke on her website. "These bargains often result in the loss of some vital part of our being. Those who are brave enough embark on a journey of initiation to reclaim what was lost, so we can fulfill our destinies and purpose in life."
According to Forbes, the Illinois native draws upon her personal and professional experiences as a lens to explore the complexities of race, gender, and empowerment. She invites Black women to reconnect with their histories, reclaim their power, and redefine the narratives surrounding their lives and agency.
"Blackwildgirl is the culmination of 45 years of journaling, starting from my childhood through my journey into womanhood, and the valuable lessons that I learned along the way," shares Pratt-Clarke. "My goal in writing this book was to honor my mother's teachings and the belief that we must be the backbone for future generations."
As a tenured professor, Pratt-Clarke hopes that her book will help Black women discover, embrace, and assert their voices, which may have been suppressed in a male-dominated and patriarchal society. Her impressive academic background includes a bachelor's degree from the University of Iowa, two master's degrees from Iowa, and a second master's, PhD, and JD from Vanderbilt University. As highlighted by Insight Into Diversity, her research spans various fields, including critical race studies, Black feminism, ethnography, womanism, and womanist theology.
The renowned scholar and activist is currently on a book tour, and she will be visiting Illinois Wesleyan University on April 26. During her visit, she will be at the Memorial Center's Young Main Lounge from 4-6 pm, where she will talk about her book and share her insights. Through her current role as Virginia Tech's vice president for strategic affairs and diversity, Pratt-Clarke continues to fulfill her mission of empowering and amplifying the voices of Black women. She has already visited other college campuses, such as Howard University and Illinois Wesleyan University, to spread her message of empowerment.
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