Brooklyn Born, Politically Raised
Yvette Diane Clarke was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, in 1964 to parents who had immigrated from Jamaica. Politics was in her blood from the start. Her mother, Dr. Una S. T. Clarke, was a trailblazing politician who served on the New York City Council. This environment gave Yvette a front-row seat to the power of community organizing and public service. After graduating from Edward R. Murrow High School, she attended Oberlin College, where a summer internship with Congressman Major Owens in Washington, D.C., gave her an early taste of federal legislative work. Before running for office herself, Clarke built a career grounded in local needs, working as a childcare specialist and later in economic development for the Bronx.
A Historic Path to Power
In 2001, Yvette Clarke
made history when she won the election for her mother's 40th district seat on the New York City Council, marking the first mother-to-daughter succession in the council's history. During her tenure, she established herself as a progressive voice, co-sponsoring resolutions against the Iraq War and the USA PATRIOT Act. Her ambitions, however, were set on a bigger stage. In 2006, after her former mentor Major Owens announced his retirement, Clarke ran for and won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She took office in January 2007, representing the same congressional district once held by the legendary Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman and first Caribbean American elected to Congress.
Representing the Caribbean Heart of Brooklyn
Congresswoman Clarke has represented New York's 9th Congressional District since 2013, following redistricting. The district is one of the most diverse in the nation, with a significant population of Caribbean Americans. Clarke’s own heritage gives her a unique and personal connection to her constituents. This is reflected in her role as co-chair of the Congressional Caribbean Caucus, where she works to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Caribbean nations. Her work is deeply rooted in the identity of her district, championing causes that resonate with a community built by immigrants and shaped by a rich cultural tapestry.
A Leader on Tech, Security, and Immigration
In Washington, Clarke has carved out a reputation as a serious legislator focused on modern challenges. She is a senior member of two powerful committees: the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Homeland Security. As Chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, she is a leading congressional voice on protecting the nation's digital infrastructure. Clarke is also a co-founder of the Smart Cities Caucus, which explores how technology can create more livable communities, and the Multicultural Media Caucus, aimed at promoting diversity in media and tech. Her legislative priorities also include comprehensive immigration reform; she was a key sponsor of the Dream and Promise Act, which sought to provide a pathway to citizenship for DREAMers.
An Influential Voice for Black Americans
Beyond her committee work, Clarke holds significant leadership roles within the Democratic caucus. As of 2025, she serves as the Chair of the influential Congressional Black Caucus, a position that amplifies her voice on issues of racial justice and equity. She is also a co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, which she helped establish to address the unique challenges facing this demographic in areas like healthcare, economic opportunity, and criminal justice. A member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and co-chair of the Medicare for All Caucus, Clarke consistently advocates for policies aimed at creating a more equitable society, from universal healthcare to protecting reproductive rights.
