About Claude Parker

Claude W. Parker was born in Philadelphia, PA, where he and his wife currently reside. He attended Millersville University of Pennsylvania and majored in communications. It wasn’t until 1995 that he realized that he could write, or even wanted to write. While listening to a radio talk show host read excerpts from “From Superman to Man”, written by the late J.A. Claude Parker's Photo Rogers, Claude jokingly said, “I can do something like that.” The next day, he typed out five pages. Surprised by that accomplishment, he continued writing: Five pages turned into ten, which turned into twenty. He told a colleague of his newly found joy and it was suggested that he write a book.

Claude submitted his manuscript to numerous agents and publishers without success. Thus, he self-published it through Indelibly Etched Productions—a company he founded. “Listen To The Echo” was born. Two years later, he wrote “The Second Power."

As time went on, Claude branched into poetry and wrote the book, “What Brothas Be Thinkin’”. Shortly thereafter, he produced a spoken word CD of the same title. A few years later, got into playwriting to grab that direct one-on-one dialogue that spoken word and short-story writing couldn’t give him. So, he went to New York City and took a class at The New Dramatist to improve his skills. He wrote several short plays, including “When Dogs Talk, A Slave Speaks, Did She Just Cut One, Interviewing The Devil, Office Talk, and Helen." To further his playwriting skills, he took a class at The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Today, Claude continues to write poetry, plays, and even dabbles in writing song lyrics. Currently he is producing a documentary film that deals with the oratorical skill of African-Americans, and is also producing a superhero cartoon for adults and children to help them better handle adverse outside influences.

Organizations that Claude has been a part of over the years included Big Brothers—Big Sisters, The African-American / Latino Mentoring Program at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Toastmasters International, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He also served as little league baseball coach for the Salvation Army, and was a Million Man March participant. His interests vary greatly. During his spare time he plays tennis, mountain bikes, and inline skates. His musical tastes vary, as well. You can catch him listening to Sonny Rollins, and Waymon Tisdale, but he’ll also listen to Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Brick, or Brass Construction.

Words From Claude Parker

The President of the United States of America, the governor of any particular state, the mayor of any city, and then there is us: We, the people. Who is in control and who determines our destiny? We. The people. All three branches are answerable to, and are a reflection of us because they are also “We: The people.” And as we move through the beginnings of the twenty-first century, it is evident that the world is out of order and must be put on a righteous and humble path or it will be crushed by its human inhabitants like storm waves crashing down on beaches and snatching its sand into the ocean, thus making the beaches disappear. And as citizens of the world’s only super-power, it is up to us to set the example by living humbly and righteously. My mother once taught me that if I didn’t have a reason to do the right thing, then I should simply do it because it’s the right thing to do.

No longer can we be so arrogant to think that the world is less intelligent than us and that every other country is a so-called “third world nation”. If you take a closer look at America, you’ll find people that live like a so-called “third world nation”. Ignorance, famine, disease, and internal and external war, among other things, plague this country and beg the question, “What are we going to do to get out of this mess?”

We must start from the beginning by dealing with ourselves: What we can individually control. That means acknowledging that we are a part of the problem: Are we practicing proper dietary habits and passing them on to our children? Are we going to the doctor and dentist on a regular basis? Are we doing things to other cultures and countries that are causing them to hate us? Are we recycling? Are we economically disciplined? Are we doing the right thing, if for no other reason than, because it’s the right thing to do?

It is unwise for us to wait for our government to wave an executive/legislative/judicial wand and make everything better. We must humble ourselves to one another in order to live righteously; for humility is not weakness. It simply means acknowledging someone’s value and putting it ahead of yours. That helps them in what they’re doing while increasing your value in their eyes. This will cause them to want to do the same thing for you. Do you see the circle? By helping others, you help yourself. By helping yourself, you help others. This equals righteousness. Talk about an exponential increase in respect…? Wow! Over time, I believe this can be achieved. And although this alone will not solve all of the world’s problems, it is a great start.

So how does this relate to what I’m doing? Well, my aim is to bring to light elements of life that are seldom discussed or considered taboo. I want us to know where each other stands, why we think what we think, and why we do what we do? I don’t want to live in a world where decisions are made based on ignorance but rather on facts. Thus, the right things can be done.

As you continue through my site and support my endeavors, I hope you’ll see elements of Claude Parker and a Member of his Staff yourselves and others that cause you to think deeply. You’ll have a choice of my plays, books, poetry, and spoken word to sort through. Right now, my documentary film on the oratorical skill of African-Americans is being shot. You’ll hear some fascinating anecdotes, stories, quotes, etc., that will make you go, “Hmmm.” My other project in production is a cartoon. Unfortunately I can’t say what it’s about but trust me; you’ll think differently about how you and your children are affected by bad influences.

Enjoy the site. Enjoy my work. Support my endeavors. I hope you’ll be proud of me and want to see more. Feel free to drop me a line at claude@claudeparker.com and ask me anything. I welcome your feedback. And remember, “Do the right thing, if for no other reason than, because it’s the right thing to do.”