Useni Eugene Perkins (September 13, 1932 – May 7, 2023) was an American poet, playwright, activist and youth worker.
During this time he authored many creative and academic written works detailing experiences from his childhood and his observations as a social worker.
[4] The Chicago Public Library, which houses an extensive archive of Perkins' written works and biographical material, mentions, "In viewing this collection as a whole it is clear that Perkins worked wonders to fuse his professional career as a social worker with his creative expression as a writer.
His plays were primarily focused on presenting positive role models and lessons geared toward urban youth.
He was invited to the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs Advisory Board (1984), the Chicago Board of Education Task Force on Gangs (1981), and Illinois Governor James R. Thompson's Special Task Force on Troubled Youth (1980).