Clara Bright

Clara Bright was born in Edwards, Mississippi on April 29, 1933. She was one of nine children born to Joe and Hattie Laws. Her elementary, junior high and high school education were completed in Edwards, Mississippi. In 1951, she moved to Champaign, Illinois and was married to Philip Bright. Together, they had eight children, three of whom are deceased.

Her career as a beauty consultant began in 1973 when she was employed by Carson Pirie Scott and Company in Lincoln Square, Urbana, as a Counter Manager in the Cosmetics Department. Clara was the first Beauty Consultant for Fashion Fair Cosmetics in this area. Mr. John C. Johnson, owner and publisher of Ebony magazine, produced Fashion Fair Cosmetics and one of the job requirements was to attend his seminars and workshops on retailing the products. In 1990 when Carson Pirie Scott was taken over by Bergner's, she remained there as Counter Manager in the Cosmetics Department until her retirement. Additionally, she did the "makeovers" for the young ladies who participated in the Cotillion, as well as for local fashion shows, guests on local television stations, and models in the Black Mom's Day Fashion Show at the University of Illinois.

Clara Bright is a member of the Macedonia Baptist Church in Champaign. She has served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and Secretary of the Board of Trustees, where she supervised the Usher Board consisting of 24 junior and senior ushers and fill in for other services in my church as needed. In 2021, she was a guest on W.E.F.T.’s Gospel Program.  

Her hobbies are cooking, fishing and sports. She holds fond memories of playing with the Women's Softball team at the Douglass Recreation Center.