Former associate justice Darcel Clark is making history in New York by becoming the first black female district attorney.

Clark was sworn into her new position as the Bronx DA on Saturday at Lehman College. As a Bronx native, she expressed how proud she is to take on this role during her inaugural speech.

“I can say to any little girl, you know, if you work really hard, you can go on to law school, you can become an Assistant District Attorney, you can become a judge and then you can become District Attorney of the Bronx,” Clark said while giving her speech.

Clark also mentioned that some of her main focal points while serving will be gun violence, political corruption and refining Rikers Island jail complex.

She will be replacing Robert Johnson who served as the Bronx DA for 27 years and did not run for reelection because he is interested in becoming a judge.

Other positions Clark has held prior to becoming a judge include: Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney, Supervising Assistant District Attorney and Assistant District Attorney. Also, she is a graduate of Boston College where she earned her undergraduate degree in political science and Howard University where she earned her Juris Doctor degree.

darcel clark

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