On a chilly December 7th in 1948, in the town of Springfield, Massachusetts, Pearl Michelle Cleage took her first breath. Raised amidst the bustling streets of Detroit, she found her roots deeply entwined with the rich tapestry of African-American culture. Her father, a visionary minister, erected a new denomination and became famed for an awe-inspiring fifteen-foot-high painting of the Black Madonna and Child, known as the "Shrine of the Black Madonna," which graced the walls of his church. Her mother, a dedicated schoolteacher, along with her father, wove a profound sense of duty to the African-American community into her spirit. Today, Cleage proudly identifies as an African-American Urban Nationalist Feminist Warrior.

Her academic journey was a kaleidoscope of creativity and knowledge, spanning several esteemed institutions. From 1966 to 1969, she immersed herself in the vibrant environment of Howard University, marrying Michael Lucius Lomax, a prominent county official in Georgia, though their union dissolved after a decade. Her pursuit of education led her to Yale University in 1969 and the University of the West Indies in 1971. She earned her bachelor's degree from Spelman College in 1971 and ventured into graduate studies at Atlanta University. Throughout the 1970s, Cleage's talents extended to writing, producing, and hosting talk shows across Atlanta's airwaves. Her career flourished as she became the director of communications for the city and served as press secretary for Maynard Jackson, Atlanta's trailblazing first African-American mayor.

Between 1983 and 1987, Cleage's creative spirit soared as she became the playwright-in-residence at the Just Us Theater Company in Atlanta, eventually becoming its artistic director until 1994. The year 1986 marked her founding of the groundbreaking magazine Catalyst, where she held the editorial helm for a decade. Her passion for teaching shone through from 1986 to 1991 as she inspired creative writing students at Spelman College, ultimately being appointed playwright-in-residence in 1991. Her influence also extended to Smith College and Agnes Scott College in the 1990s. In 1994, she embraced a new chapter by marrying her longtime companion, Zaron Burnett Jr.

Cleage's theatrical prowess became evident when her one-act plays took the stage at Howard University in the late 1960s and at Spelman College in the early '70s. The 1980s saw the Just Us Theater Company bring her works puppetplay (1983), Good News (1984), and Essentials (1985) to life. In 1992, her plays Chain and Late Bus to Mecca captivated audiences through the Women's Project and Productions and the New Federal Theater, while Flyin’ West was staged by Atlanta's own Alliance Theater Company. Her celebrated piece, Blues for an Alabama Sky, debuted in 1995, and a year later, the Alliance Theatre Company proudly showcased it during the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

Beyond the stage, Cleage's nonfiction voice resonated powerfully. Her work Mad at Miles: A Blackwoman’s Guide to the Truth (1990) boldly critiqued jazz legend Miles Davis for his treatment of women, while Deals with the Devil and Other Reasons to Riot (1993) offered a piercing examination of American pop culture and media. Her literary prowess extended to fiction with What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day (1997), a novel so compelling it earned a spot in the prestigious Oprah Winfrey Book Club. She continued to capture readers' imaginations with the publication of I Wish I Had a Red Dress in 2001.