Ras Baraka

Last updated

Linda Jumah
​
(m. 2019)​
Ras Baraka
Ras Baraka.png
40th Mayor of Newark
Incumbent
Assumed office
July 1, 2014
Relations
Children4
Education Howard University (BA)
Saint Peter's University (MA)
Website Official website

Ras Jua Baraka (born April 9, 1969 [1] [2] or 1970 [3] [4] ) is an American politician, author, and educator. A member of the Democratic Party, Baraka is the 40th and current mayor of Newark, New Jersey. First elected in the 2014 election, he was sworn into office on May 13, 2014, [5] and was reelected in 2018 and 2022.

Contents

Prior to his election as mayor, he served on the Municipal Council of Newark and as principal of the city's Central High School. [6] Baraka is a candidate for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election.

Early life and education

A Newark native, Baraka is the son of poet and activist Amiri Baraka (born Everett Leroy Jones) and his wife Amina Baraka. [6]

Baraka was educated in the Newark Public Schools, attending University High School. [1] He 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. [3]

Career in education

Baraka was the principal of Central High School from 2007 until 2013. [3]

Poetry, spoken word, and hip-hop

Baraka edited In the tradition: an anthology of young Black writers (1992).

Baraka was featured on singer Lauryn Hill's 1998 The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill , as the narrator of several interludes on the album. [7] He also recorded the intro to The Score, the Fugees' second album. Baraka and Hill recorded an unreleased single together entitled "Hot Beverage in the Winter", which later featured on his spoken-word album Shorty for Mayor. [8]

Baraka dedicated his collection of poems Black Girls Learn Love Hard to the life of his late sister, Shani Baraka, [3] [9] who had been fatally shot in 2003. [10] He had read as part of the city's Dodge Poetry Festival. [11]

Baraka has participated in the National Political Hip-Hop Convention. [12] In 2019, Baraka released the spoken word video What We Want. [13]

Early political career

Newark Municipal Council

Between 2002 and 2006 Baraka was Newark Municipal Council member and in 2002 was appointed deputy mayor, and served that position until 2005. In November 2005, Baraka was voted to complete the term vacated by the deceased Councilmember-at-Large Donald Kofi Tucker. [6]

In May 2010 he defeated then-councilman Oscar James II in a highly contested election, on a platform critical of Mayor Cory Booker. [14] The election was documented on the Sundance reality television series Brick City , which stars Booker, Baraka and other Newark political and residential figures. [15]

Mayor of Newark

Elections

Baraka ran his first campaign for mayor when he was 24 years old, in 1994. [16]

Baraka ran in the 2014 Newark mayoral election against former Assistant State Attorney General Shavar Jeffries, [17] [18] after fellow council members Anibal Ramos, Jr. and Darrin S. Sharif dropped out of the race. [19] In August 2013, fellow council members Mildred C. Crump and Ronald C. Rice issued statements formally backing Baraka's candidacy. [20] [21] Baraka's slate for the municipal council included John Sharpe James (council member-at-large running for South Ward), Mildred C. Crump (council member at-large incumbent), Alturrick Kenney (at-large candidate), Patrick Council (at-large candidate) and Joe McCallum (West Ward candidate). [22]

In December 2013, the Communication Workers of America, a trade union which counts 2000 members living, and thousands more working in Newark, endorsed Baraka. [23] In February 2014 he received the endorsement of former New Jersey governor Richard Codey and Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop. [24] In March he was endorsed by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. [25] [26]

On May 13, 2014, Baraka was elected mayor of Newark. Official results show that of 44,951 ballots cast, he received 24,358 to Jeffries' 20,593. He succeeds Luis A. Quintana, after completing the term of Cory Booker, who had resigned after being elected to the United States Senate in October 2013. 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. [27]

Baraka was re-elected in 2018 [28] and 2022. [29]

Transition

Soon after winning the 2014 election, Baraka initiated meetings with Cory Booker on May 19 [30] with Governor Chris Christie, and Essex Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. on May 21. [31]

On May 28, 2014, Baraka announced his transition team, headed by former mayor Kenneth Gibson. [32]

Baraka appointed his brother, Amiri "Middy" Baraka, Jr. as his chief of staff. [33]

Tenure

Politico has described Baraka as "one of the most progressive Democrats in New Jersey, and possibly the nation". [34]

During his tenure as mayor, Baraka has earned praise for improving Newark's economic prospects. [35]

Newark schools

The Newark Public Schools system (serving approximately 40,000 students) [36] was placed under state control in 1994. [37] [38] [39] Newark is one of 31 Abbott districts. [40] The state is required to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under the supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority. [41]

In 2010, Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, donated $100 million of his personal fortune through his foundation StartUp Education to the Newark school system. [42] [43] [44] Release of the funds required matching funds, which were mostly raised through the Foundation for Newark's Future and have largely been spent, though funds remain. [45] [46]

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. A restructuring program called One Newark calls for the closure of some public schools and the opening of more charter schools (some in public school buildings). [47]

The reorganization, spearheaded by state-appointed Superintendent Cami Anderson, would relocate, consolidate or close one quarter of the district's schools that she has determined are underutilized. The plan has met with stiff resistance from large segments of Newark's population, with critics saying there was no evidence it will increase student performance. [48] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] The plan would also include teacher lay-offs. [54] While there is some agreement with many of the policies being implemented in the program, the disregard for community input and the pace of change has drawn criticism. [55] [56] The plan will require some students to leave their neighborhoods and travel across the city, with many parents fearing for their safety. [57] [58] [56] [59] [60]

Baraka ran for election with a campaign to take back local control of the schools. [61] In May 2014, Newark, which already had control of operations (includes student transportation and other support services), was granted local powers over budget and finance, giving the local advisory board its first formal vote on the district's nearly $1 billion in annual spending. The state retains the right to veto any action of the local board and has the final say in appointing the superintendent of the district. Baraka, as an outspoken advocate of returning control of Newark's schools to local authority, has called for the ouster of state-appointed Superintendent Anderson. [62] Anderson's contract was renewed in June 2014. [63]

A discrimination complaint filed on behalf of Newark parents and the Newark branch of New Jersey's Parents Unified for Local School Education (PULSE) claims that 86 percent of the students affected by "One Newark" changes are African American, while African-American students make up 51 percent of the entire district. The allegation is being investigated by the United States Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. [64]

Baraka has called for the resignation of Cami Anderson, the state-appointed superintendent. [65] Anderson resigned in June 2015. [66] While Anderson's resignation made the situation less politically volatile, Baraka opposes the creation of more charter schools, and believes they come at the expense of public schools. [67]

Crime and gang violence

In October 2013 Baraka introduced his program to deal with crime and gang violence in the city, the Ras Baraka Blueprint to Reduce Crime and Violence in Newark. [68] It includes "Project Chill", which incorporates elements similar to Boston's Operation Ceasefire and other engagement with gang members and intervention programs. [69] [70] [71] [72] [73] [74] As of June 30 there had been 43 homicides in 2014. In 2013 through June 30, the city recorded 41 homicides. A surge of violence in the second half of 2013 pushed the homicide total to 111, the most since 1990. [75] In 2019 and 2020 the city had 51 homicides. [76]

In Fall 2014, Baraka started the Model Neighborhood initiative, which increased police presence in troubled neighborhoods. [77]

Underwater mortgages and eminent domain

Between 2008 and mid-2013, 6,810 homes were foreclosed in Newark, and citywide, and homeowners in the city and lost roughly $1.8 billion in home values. At that time about 9,000 Newark residents were "underwater", where payment balances are higher than the fair market value of the property. [78] In May 2014, 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. [79] it is estimated that more than 50% of Newark homes are financed by underwater mortgages, partially as a result of the 2010 United States foreclosure crisis. [80]

Newark Watershed

The Newark Watershed comprises 35,000 acres of reservoirs and water treatment and supply systems for more than 500,000 customers in northern New Jersey including Newark and neighboring Belleville, Elizabeth, Bloomfield and Nutley. It is considered one of the city's greatest assets. A New Jersey State Comptroller report issued in February 2014 revealed irregularities and corruption within the Newark Watershed and Development Corporation, which is the process of being dismantled after being taken over by the city. [81] [82] [83] In March 2014, Baraka called for a forensic audit of the agency. [84] Despite protestations from the city council, in April 2014 a Superior Court judge ruled that the city must continue to fund the agency during the process. [85]

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. By spring of 2021, local officials had removed more than 20,000 lead service lines. [86]

Budget deficit and state oversight

In August 2014, citing a $30 million deficit in the city's 2013 budget and an anticipated $60 million deficit for 2014, Baraka said that Newark would likely have to ask for emergency aid from the state, which, if received, would require state oversight and involvement in the city's financial affairs. As of September 2014, the state's Local Finance Board, overseen by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, had not taken action. [87] [88] [89] That same month, the city auctioned properties, most of which had been foreclosed, in an attempt to raise funds. [90] The state's Department of Community Affairs awarded Newark $10 million in transitional aid, which comes with a required oversight memorandum of understanding. The state will hire a private firm to oversee the city's financial management and compliance. [91] The state will reduce budgets for the city clerk and expenses for council members as part of the agreement. [92]

Model neighborhoods

In 2014, Baraka initiated a program, called Model Neighborhoods, intended to take a comprehensive approach to addressing the factors causing troubled neighborhoods. [93]

Valentine's Day lot sales

In 2014, the city initiated a Valentine's Day building lot sale in which married couples could purchase housing plots in the city for $1,000, provided they built a house on the lot within 18 months. [94] Nearly 100 plots were sold; as of 2015, few had been built on, due to insufficient financing. [95]

Campaign financing violations

In November 2017, Baraka and his campaign treasurer were issued a 28-count complaint by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, alleging they violated campaign finance rules in the 2014 mayoral election, mainly for failure to fully disclose the source of $396,000 [96] in campaign donations in the expensive and tightly contested campaign. [97]

Kailasa scam

In March 2023, Baraka invited supposed representatives of "Kailasa", a non-existent country, to Newark's City Hall to enter a "cultural trade agreement" and become sister cities. Kailasa was alleged to be a Hindu island nation off the coast of Ecuador, which had been bought by Swami Nithayandha. Baraka, along with the municipal council, was duped by Swami Nithyananda, a scam artist who is wanted in India on rape charges. [98]

City officials, including Baraka, took photos and signed documents to make Newark a "sister city" with "Kailasa". Baraka was not aware of the scam until after an official ceremony had been held. [98] Newark City Hall called the scam a "regrettable incident," a council member referred to it as an "oversight," and Newark residents expressed embarrassment that city officials did not bother to perform a basic Google search to determine whether "Kailasa" was a real country or city. [99]

2025 gubernatorial campaign

On February 19, 2024, Baraka announced that he would run for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election. [100] He has called for a "progressive overhaul" in New Jersey, [101] and his campaign agenda includes "reparations, sanctuary state laws, baby bonds, and [a] universal basic income". [102] Following the death of U.S. Representative Donald Payne Jr., who represented the 10th congressional district, Baraka was mentioned as a potential candidate in the upcoming special election. However, Baraka affirmed that he would not run for the seat and would continue to mount his gubernatorial candidacy. [103]

At an event at Rowan University, Baraka called incarceration and policing in New Jersey “uneven, costly and racist.” [104]

Personal life

Baraka is the father of three daughters: Amandla, Assata, and Raisa. [105] In 2019, Baraka married political consultant Linda Jumah. Baraka and Jumah had a son, Jua Nyamekye Imamu Kofi Baraka, in 2019. [106]

Through his father, some of Baraka's half-sisters are Kellie and Lisa Jones and Dominique di Prima. (Jones was their father's last name at the time they were born.) [107] [108] [109]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Baisden, Cheryl. "New Jersey Q & A: Ras Baraka; Young Challenger for Newark Mayoralty", The New York Times , May 1, 1994. Accessed October 2, 2024. "Born: April 9, 1969, in Newark. Education: University High School, Newark. B.A. in political science, Howard University, 1991."
  2. ↑ The Honorable Ras Baraka, The History Makers. Accessed October 2, 2024. "Political leader Ras Baraka was born on April 9, 1969 in Newark, New Jersey to writer and playwright Amiri Baraka and poet Amina Baraka."
  3. 1 2 3 4 ""Baraka, Ras", Our Campaigns" . Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  4. ↑ Jones, Kellie; Baraka, Imanu Amini (2011), EyeMinded: Living and Writing Contemporary Art, Durham, NC: Duke University Press, p. 467, ISBN   978-0822348733
  5. ↑ Dawsey, Josh (May 13, 2014). "Ras Baraka Is Elected Mayor of Newark". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "City of Newark, NJ: Ras J. Baraka". City of Newark, New Jersey. Archived from the original on May 14, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
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  10. ↑ Campbell, James (2008), Syncopations: Beats, New Yorkers, and Writers in the Dark, University of California Press, ISBN   9780520941083
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  15. ↑ "COMING JANUARY 30 – ALL NEW SEASON OF BRICK CITY". SUNfiltered. Sundance Channel. December 17, 2010. Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
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  17. ↑ Giambusso, David (August 16, 2013). "Darrin Sharif announces run for mayor of Newark". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved November 26, 2013. Much of the economic development in Newark and a large stake of its business community operates in Sharif's ward, but its residential neighborhoods are among the most troubled.
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  24. ↑ "Newark mayor's race: Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop endorses Baraka". NJ.com. February 18, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
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  28. ↑ "Newark mayor re-elected, this time with establishment boost". May 9, 2018.
  29. ↑ Fox, Joey (May 11, 2022). "Baraka easily re-elected as Newark mayor". New Jersey Globe.
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  33. ↑ Bonamo, Mark (July 1, 2014). "Newark mayor's new chief of staff Amiri Baraka, Jr.: "I've got my brother's back"". NJ Politicker. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  34. ↑ Racioppi, Dustin (March 25, 2024). "This New Jersey mayor wants to be a governor like Ron DeSantis or Greg Abbott — but for the left". Politico.
  35. ↑ "Newark's rebound". The Economist . September 21, 2017.
  36. ↑ Augenstein, Seth. "Newark's kids' conditions improving, but they still lag behind rest of NJ: report". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
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  38. ↑ Sullivan, Joseph F. (April 15, 1994). "Suit Seeks to Halt Newark Schools Takeover". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved March 5, 2014.
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  41. ↑ What are SDA Districts? Archived May 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , New Jersey Schools Development Authority. Accessed January 10, 2014
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  51. ↑ Mueller, Mark (February 25, 2014). "Newark schools chief warns of massive teacher layoffs; wants pink slips tied to performance". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
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  53. ↑ Eidelson, Josh (February 18, 2014). "Christie's ed reform scandal: Principals suspended after questioning charter scheme "Narcissism," "dictatorial" and "totalitarian" tactics by Christie appointee, Newark councilman charges to Salon". Salon. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
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  55. ↑ Leonard, Devin (May 14, 2014). "Did Mark Zuckerberg Help Elect Newark's New Mayor?". Bloomberg Businessweek. Archived from the original on May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  56. 1 2 Russakoff, Dale (May 17, 2014). "SCHOOLED Cory Booker, Chris Christie, and Mark Zuckerberg had a plan to reform Newark's schools. They got an education". The New Yorker. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
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  59. ↑ McClone, Peggy (May 20, 2014). "At downtown rally, critics of Newark school plan present alternative". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
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  61. ↑ "Newark mayor Ras Baraka tries to wrest control of the city's schools from Cory Booker, Chris Christie, and Mark Zuckerberg". Slate Magazine. May 21, 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  62. ↑ "Newark, Paterson may have long roads to regaining full control of schools from state". NJ Spotlight. June 5, 2014. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
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  64. ↑ McClone, Peggy (July 23, 2014). "Feds investigate claims of racial discrimination in Newark school reorganization". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  65. ↑ "Baraka asks for Newark superintendent's resignation — again". January 16, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
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  67. ↑ "Baraka calls Christie's charter expansion OK a 'huge step backwards' for Newark". March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  68. ↑ "The Ras Baraka Blueprint to Redce Crime and Violence in Newark". rasjbaraka.com. 2013. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
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  71. ↑ Giambusso, David (December 28, 2013). "Newark Councilman Ras Baraka calling for gang cease-fire, increased police presence in wake of killings". The Satr-Ledger. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  72. ↑ Queally, James (December 31, 2013). "Newark mayoral hopeful wrote letters on behalf of notorious city gang boss, records show". The Satr-Ledger. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  73. ↑ Strunsky, Steve (December 29, 2013). "Baraka calls for gang ceasefire in Newark; mom seeks justice for son killed on Christmas". The Satr-Ledger. Retrieved December 31, 2013.
  74. ↑ "Newark mayoral candidate faces blowback for writing letters in support of gang member". NJ.com. January 2014. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  75. ↑ Augenstein, Seth (July 4, 2014). "Newark man gunned down before dawn is city's 44th homicide victim". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
  76. ↑ Shea, Kevin. "Overall crime in N.J. decreased in 2020, but violence spiked during COVID-19 pandemic". www.msn.com. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  77. ↑ "Fixing Newark's neighborhoods a long-term initiative, report says". June 8, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  78. ↑ Dayen, David (May 8, 2013). "Newark's Terrible New Foreclosure Fix Idea Activists in the city think eminent domain can save their". The Nation. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  79. ↑ Atlas, John (June 30, 2014). "Working With Grassroots Organizing Groups, Ras Baraka, Newark's Mayor-Elect, Takes Steps To Help Homeowners". Huffington Post. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  80. ↑ Tyrell, Joe (May 9, 2014). "NJ STILL DROWNING IN 'UNDERWATER' MORTGAGES, NEW STUDY REVEALS". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved July 5, 2014.
  81. ↑ Giambusso, David (February 19, 2014). "Newark Watershed: timeline of troubles". The Star-Ledger.
  82. ↑ Giambusso, David (February 20, 2014). "Newark, state leaders call for criminal investigation of Newark watershed". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  83. ↑ Giambusso, David (March 26, 2013). "Newark Watershed dissolves, leaving city to manage water for 500,000 customers". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  84. ↑ "Baraka calls for forensic audit of Newark Watershed". The Star-Ledger. March 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  85. ↑ Wichert, Bill (April 24, 2014). "Newark fights court order to fund shutdown of watershed agency". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
  86. ↑ Peeples, Lynne (July 15, 2021). "The US city that proves replacing lead water lines needn't be a pipe dream". The Guardian. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
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  92. ↑ "State to cut Newark council members' expenses in half in effort to rein in city's spending". December 24, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  93. ↑ "Newark rolls out plans to rehabilitate two blight, crime-ridden neighborhoods". November 3, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  94. ↑ "Land for $1,000: Homeowner hopefuls flock to Newark Valentines Day Sale". February 14, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  95. ↑ "Here's what happened to those 100 lots Newark gave away last Valentine's Day". February 15, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  96. ↑ O'Sullivan, Jeannie (November 2, 2017). "Newark Mayor, Campaign Aide Hit With $396K ELEC Complaint" . Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  97. ↑ Yi, Karen (November 2, 2017). "Newark mayor accused of violating campaign finance rules". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
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  102. ↑ Quigley, Chris (February 24, 2024). "Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Proposes Bold Progressive Agenda in Campaign for New Jersey Governor". shorenewsnetwork.com.
  103. ↑ Wildstein, David (April 25, 2024). "The race is on for Payne's seat: Baraka doesn't want it, and Murphy must decide about a special election". New Jersey Globe. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  104. ↑ "6 rock star Democrats who could be New Jersey's next governor".
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  109. ↑ "L.A. Radio Veteran Dominique DiPrima Honored As 'Pioneer Woman of the Year'". Los Angeles Sentinel. April 4, 2017.
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