Organizer. Scholar. Voice for the People.
Rosa Clemente is a prominent community organizer, independent journalist, and public intellectual whose life work centers on racial justice, media democracy, Indigenous sovereignty, and political education. Rooted in the South Bronx and shaped by decades of movement-building, she continues to inspire through lectures, writing, and coalition work across the United States.
Roots and Principles
From the South Bronx to National Stages
Born and raised in the South Bronx, New York, Rosa Clemente witnessed systemic disinvestment, racial segregation, and community resilience from an early age. These formative experiences ignited her commitment to justice and self-determination. Her work has always been grounded in the belief that those most impacted by oppression must lead the solutions.
Educator and Thought Leader
With a Master’s degree in African Studies from Syracuse University, Clemente blends academic rigor with street-level organizing. She has lectured at institutions including Cornell University, the University of Massachusetts, and numerous community centers, always emphasizing accessible political education as a tool for liberation.
A Lifelong Commitment to Truth and Justice
Rosa Clemente’s advocacy spans multiple interconnected movements. She co-founded initiatives that use hip-hop culture as a vehicle for youth engagement and historical awareness. She has been a vocal critic of corporate media consolidation, advocating instead for independent journalism that centers marginalized voices. Her work consistently challenges colonial narratives and uplifts Indigenous and Afro-Latinx sovereignty.
In 2008, she ran as the Green Party’s vice-presidential candidate, using the platform to highlight issues often ignored in mainstream politics: police brutality, voter suppression, and U.S. colonialism in Puerto Rico. Since then, she has remained outside electoral politics, focusing instead on building grassroots power through education, storytelling, and direct action.
