33 Facts About Ras Baraka

Ras Baraka is a candidate for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election.

Ras Baraka was educated in the Newark Public Schools, attending University High School.

Ras Baraka subsequently earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Howard University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Arts in Education Supervision from St Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey.

Ras Baraka was the principal of Central High School from 2007 until 2013.

Ras Baraka edited In the tradition: an anthology of young Black writers.

Ras Baraka was featured on singer Lauryn Hill's 1998 The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, as the narrator of several interludes on the album.

Ras Baraka recorded the intro to The Score, the Fugees' second album.

Ras Baraka dedicated his collection of poems Black Girls Learn Love Hard to the life of his late sister, Shani Ras Baraka, who had been fatally shot in 2003.

Ras Baraka had read as part of the city's Dodge Poetry Festival.

In 2019, Ras Baraka released the spoken word video What We Want.

Between 2002 and 2006 Ras Baraka was Newark Municipal Council member and in 2002 was appointed deputy mayor, and served that position until 2005.

In November 2005, Ras Baraka was voted to complete the term vacated by the deceased Councilmember-at-Large Donald Kofi Tucker.

Ras Baraka ran his first campaign for mayor when he was 24 years old, in 1994.

Ras Baraka ran in the 2014 Newark mayoral election against former Assistant State Attorney General Shavar Jeffries, after fellow council members Anibal Ramos, Jr.

On May 13,2014, Ras Baraka was elected mayor of Newark.

Ras Baraka succeeded Luis A Quintana, after completing the term of Cory Booker, who had resigned after being elected to the United States Senate in October 2013.

Ras Baraka was sworn in as the city's 40th mayor by former Governor of New Jersey Richard Codey at ceremonies at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on July 1,2014, for a four-year term.

On May 28,2014, Ras Baraka announced his transition team, headed by former mayor Kenneth Gibson.

Teams of consultants have suggested numerous management reforms from the top down, but according to Ras Baraka, echoing concerns of many residents, they have ignored the community and the needs of children and wishes of families in the neighborhoods.

Ras Baraka ran for election with a campaign to take back local control of the schools.

Ras Baraka has called for the resignation of Cami Anderson, the state-appointed superintendent.

In Fall 2014, Ras Baraka started the Model Neighborhood initiative, which increased police presence in troubled neighborhoods.

In May 2014, Ras Baraka introduced a resolution adopted by the municipal council that would affect an estimated one thousand Newark homeowners threatened with foreclosure, giving the city legal authority to purchase home with underwater mortgages through eminent domain and refinancing them.

In March 2014, Ras Baraka called for a forensic audit of the agency.

In 2019 the Ras Baraka administration began a massive effort to replace lead water pipes that were causing lead in drinking water to exceed federal limits.

In 2014, Ras Baraka initiated a program, called Model Neighborhoods, intended to take a comprehensive approach to addressing the factors causing troubled neighborhoods.

In March 2023, Ras Baraka invited supposed representatives of Kailaasa, a self-proclaimed micronation, to Newark's City Hall to enter a "cultural trade agreement" and become sister cities.

City officials, including Ras Baraka, took photos and signed documents to make Newark a "sister city" with Kailaasa.

Ras Baraka was not aware of the scam until after an official ceremony had been held.

On February 19,2024, Ras Baraka announced that he would run for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election.

Ras Baraka has called for a "progressive overhaul" in New Jersey, and his campaign agenda includes "reparations, sanctuary state laws, baby bonds, and [a] universal basic income".

However, Ras Baraka affirmed that he would not run for the seat and would continue to mount his gubernatorial candidacy.

Ras Baraka is the father of three daughters: Amandla, Assata, and Raisa.