Collections by Michelle Brown WSG Award-Winning Writer Derrick Clifton

Derrick Clifton is a Chicago-based freelance journalist and writer whose work focuses on the intersections of identity, culture and social issues. Clifton’s reporting and opinion writing have appeared at NBC News, Vox, The Root, Windy City Times, Out, Chicago Reader and various other news outlets.

He holds two degrees from Northwestern University, including an MSJ from the Medill School of Journalism. He is an avid volunteer and has served on boards for scholarship organizations, education nonprofits and causes serving LGBTQ people. He also is a speaker and commentator on various cultural, wellness and social justice issues. 

Clifton, who is queer and gender-fluid, is working on a memoir aimed at help readers understand the uniquely beautiful yet turbulent coming-of-age experiences for queer and gender-variant people of color. He believes "It takes all kinds to elevate awareness of intersectionality in media and mainstream culture, and it's been the blessing of his life to help advance a Black, queer and feminist perspective,"

In 2018 at the age of 29, he received the Esteem Award for Future Leaders – The Outstanding Millennial Award. Upon receiving the award Clifton said, "This award touches me not only because of the affirmation but because it's coming from my community."