I am the granddaughter of Eula and RP Sirls, sharecroppers in Texas and Alabama in the 1930s, and the great-granddaughter of Rosa (formerly enslaved) and George Thrikill; and the granddaughter of Elizabeth Jean Pratt and Daniel Pratt of Freetown, Sierra Leone.

I am the sister of Awadagin Pratt, one of the “one of the great and distinctive American pianists and conductors of our time.”

I am the mother of Emmanuel Pratt-Clarke (@emmanuelaopc), an amazing and talented African-Diaspora artist and painter based in the United States and the Bahamas whose art is highlighted on this website, and Raebekkah Pratt-Clarke, a powerful, determined Blackwildgirl “dominating the field” in sports management.

I am a former professional tennis player, having played the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 1984, and a classically trained pianist and violinist. I bought a baby grand piano a few years ago, and named her Simone, in honor of Nina Simone, and christened her with a rendition of Nina Simone’s, “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free.”

I share my gifts at Virginia Tech as the Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity and Professor of Education. A loyal Hokie for the past 7 years, in 2022, I had the privilege of writing a poem for Virginia Tech’s Sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary, called, “Virginia Tech: Creation. Celebration. Commission.” It was inspired by and dedicated to Nikki Giovanni.

I have five degrees: a PhD in Sociology and Law degree; two master’s degrees, one in literary studies and  one in sociology; and a bachelor’s degree in English, with minors in African American studies and philosophy. I have been working in social justice and higher education for over 25 years, including writing and co-editing five books.