Early Life, Education, and Early Political Career
Clarke was born in Detroit, Michigan to father Mozaffar Ali Hashim, an immigrant from Bangladesh, and to mother, Thelma Clarke who is African-American. He grew up in the city's lower east side. His father died when he was a child and his mother worked as a crossing guard to support her family. Clarke attended Cass Technical High School, and later graduated from Governor Dummer Academy, a Massachusetts boarding school.
Clarke attended Cornell University, graduating with a degree in fine arts. Clarke was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. While at Cornell, he became interested in public service & electoral politics. He was elected to the student seat on the Cornell University Board of Trustees and was selected for membership in the Quill and Dagger society. He earned a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1987.
Clarke worked as chief of staff to U.S. Representative John Conyers, and prior to that, on the County Executive's staff of Wayne County, during the administration of Edward H. McNamara.
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