Mada McDonald Clark’s family foundation is one of community activism. Her parents, grandparents and even her extended family – church members and teachers – fought to improve the community. Her maternal grandparents opened the first African-American theater in Baton Rouge.
“It’s embedded in me,” said the 57-year-old Baton Rouge woman.
Mada is a member of many boards, committees, social groups and organizations in the Baton Rouge community. She’s written columns for numerous Baton Rouge publications and even co-hosted and hosted area radio and TV programs. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and even helped start the Baker Zachary Alumnae Chapter.
Mada’s union membership is an extension of her community service as she fights to improve the lives of working families in these trying economic times.
“What affects employees at work, definitely affects the family,” said the three-year SEIU Local 21 LA member who has worked for the Department of Juvenile Services (City of Baton Rouge) for more than two decades. “If a person loses his job, it’s going to manifest itself in so many ways. He might not be able to keep his house. His car note might not get paid. How will he keep his bills paid on a monthly basis?”
Mada is also a steward at her job site and she isn’t afraid to call out her co-workers – union members or nonunion members– on their involvement or lack thereof.
“With insurance increases, my union has been going to the Metro Council meetings fighting for us and representing us. I tell some of my coworkers: ‘You sit around the coffee and lunch table and you bark about insurance going up, but you don’t help better the situation. You’re not even participating in the activities that are going on.’
“Everybody needs to be a union member. I tell everyone that union membership is important because when the showdown go down, you’re going to need someone to rightfully have your back. My union is that mouthpiece when you’re on the battlefield. When my union is by my side, I know my rights are protected,” Mada said.
Even though Mada’s son is an adult (Bryant is a professional living in Austin, Texas), serving the youth remains a top concern. She is in the process of creating a program that will help reintegrate convicted felons into society by helping them find housing, employment, educational opportunities as well as teach parenting skills.
“We often don’t hear about the good successful African-American males in this nation,” she explained. “Not everybody is a Joe Blow who ends up behind bars. There are brothers and sisters out here who are successful and stayed focused.”
Mada also has a life as an inspirational speaker: “I tell my young brothers and sisters that ‘you’re an African American and the last letters on both words spell CAN.’”
