Saafir Rabb

Last updated

Saafir Rabb is a business strategist, community activist and former advisor to Barack Obama, serving on his transition team in relation to public diplomacy. His career has involved promoting social enterprise, as well as working with ex-convicts and other vulnerable people on issues such as addiction recovery and building low income housing. He is also CEO of Interculture, a strategic consulting firm that advises businesses on cultural competency.

Contents

Personal life

Rabb was born in Baltimore, Maryland and grew up between Baltimore and Howard County. He is the son of a teacher and a union steelworker. [1] He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in Government & Politics in 1998. In 2009, he earned an MBA from Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School. [2] He lives in Howard Park, in Northwest Baltimore, with his wife and three children. [3]

Non-profit work

In a 2020 voter guide from The Baltimore Sun , Rabb said he had helped thousands of people to recover from addiction as the Chief of Operations of I Can't We Can, a local Baltimore recovery program. [4] In a 2009 article, the newspaper described I Can't We Can as a network of halfway houses and clinical services which treat those suffering from drug addiction. [5]

Rabb is also a member of foreign policy group the Pacific Council on International Policy, and a board member of Educate Girls Globally, a charity operating in the developing world. [6] He is a Trustee of Bayan Claremont, a graduate school operating since 2011 at the Claremont School of Theology, which educates American religious leaders. [7]

Political work

Saafir Rabb helped to organize President Barack Obama's first visit to a mosque, which took place in Baltimore, [8] and was a member of Obama's transition team. [9] [10] [6] He was an unsuccessful Democratic primary candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in both the April 2020 special election, held following the death of incumbent Elijah Cummings, and the subsequent November 2020 election. [11] [12] [13] [14] His campaign was endorsed by Keith Ellison, the current Attorney General of Minnesota, Dr. Yusef Salaam (a member of the exonerated five in the Central Park jogger case), and Hasim Rahman a two-time world heavyweight champion. [15]

Views

In 2016, Rabb was a strong proponent of the need for government and communities to tackle what he believed to be a rising trend in bigotry and hatred across the United States. [16]

Writing in the Baltimore Jewish Times, Rabb has advocated closer collaboration between Baltimore's Jewish and African American communities. He claimed that violence afflicting black communities, including in Baltimore, and attacks on Jewish communities, come from the same "ideology of hate that has gripped America these past few years." Apart from calling for Jewish and African American communities to find more ways to work together, he also criticized "Racialized policing, mass incarnation, and a lopsided law-enforcement driven approach" which he said "will inevitably aggravate the root causes of violence, leading to much bigger challenges down the line." [17]

In an interview about his political views, he said that a Green New Deal is needed "to address fundamental issues of environmental health, which have gone unaddressed or under addressed by our government." He also called for a reinstatement of "Obama-era protections for our natural resources." [11]

The Baltimore Sun quoted Rabb describing the first impeachment of Donald Trump as "necessary to ensure compliance with the constitution and to preserve democracy." He also told the paper that he opposed 2017 federal tax cuts, which he said have threatened basic federal safety net programs, and called for "tax reforms" designed to ensure that the "richest citizens must pay their fair share." He supported gun control legislation to prevent ordinary citizens purchasing military-grade weapons, but advocated that should not be done in a way which infringes the Constitutional right to bear arms. Rising income inequality across the US should be addressed by the federal government with more resources to support state and local government, he also said, including more support for "homeless and housing assistance programs, food vouchers, education, and employment programs." [4] [18]

According to WBAL-TV, Rabb is in favor of unionizing jobs and increasing access to unions. He believes that federal subsidies are essential to help create local jobs [19] and supports an increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour as well the establishment of a living wage. [20]

During a 7th Congressional District debate, Rabb endorsed the Democrat candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders as his favorites for the US presidency. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elijah Cummings</span> American politician (1951–2019)

Elijah Eugene Cummings was an American politician and civil rights advocate who served in the United States House of Representatives for Maryland's 7th congressional district from 1996 until his death in 2019, when he was succeeded by his predecessor Kweisi Mfume. The district he represented included over half of the city of Baltimore, including most of the majority-black precincts of Baltimore County, and most of Howard County, Maryland. A member of the Democratic Party, Cummings previously served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1983 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Helen Delich Bentley</span> American politician (1923–2016)

Helen Bentley was an American politician who was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland from 1985 to 1995. Before entering politics, she had been a leading maritime reporter and journalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kweisi Mfume</span> American politician (born 1948)

Kweisi Mfume is an American politician who is the U.S. representative for Maryland's 7th congressional district, first serving from 1987 to 1996 and again since 2020. A member of the Democratic Party, Mfume first left his seat to become the president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a position he held from 1996 to 2004. In 2006, he ran for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes, losing the Democratic primary to the eventual winner, Ben Cardin. Mfume returned to his former House seat in 2020 after it was left vacant by the death of Elijah Cummings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maryland's 7th congressional district</span> U.S. House district for Maryland

Maryland's 7th congressional district of the United States House of Representatives encompasses almost the entire city of Baltimore and some of Baltimore County. The district was created following the census of 1790, which gave Maryland one additional representative in the House. It was abolished in 1843 but was restored in 1950 as a west Baltimore district. It has been drawn as a majority-African American district since 1973. Democrat Kweisi Mfume is the current representative, winning a special election on April 28, 2020, to finish the term of Elijah Cummings, who died in October 2019. Mfume had previously held the seat from 1987 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Keiffer Mitchell Jr.</span> American politician

Keiffer Jackson Mitchell Jr. is an American politician from Baltimore, Maryland, who once served in the Maryland House of Delegates and the Baltimore City Council and was a candidate in the 2007 mayoral election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland</span>

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Maryland, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including the quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Maryland gubernatorial election</span> Election for governor of Maryland, U.S.

The 2014 Maryland gubernatorial election took place on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Maryland. Incumbent Democratic governor Martin O'Malley was term-limited and could not run for re-election to a third consecutive term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland</span>

The 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland were held on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Maryland, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the United States Senate and House of Representatives and various state and local elections, including the governor of Maryland, attorney general of Maryland and comptroller of Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland</span>

The 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland were held on November 8, 2016, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Maryland, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. The primaries were held on April 26.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Hayes</span> American politician

Antonio Lamar Hayes is an American politician who represents the 40th legislative district of Baltimore in the Maryland Senate. He previously represented the 40th district in the Maryland House of Delegates from 2015 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland</span> House elections in Maryland

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland was held on November 3, 2020, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Maryland, one from each of the state's eight congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections. On March 17, 2020, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the primary election would be postponed from April 28 to June 2 due to coronavirus concerns. On March 26, the Maryland Board of Elections met to consider whether in-person voting should be used for June's primary, and recommended that voting in June be mail-in only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Trone</span> American businessman and politician (born 1955)

David John Trone is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 6th congressional district. The district includes most of the western third of the state, but the bulk of its population is in the outer northern suburbs of Washington, D.C. Trone founded and co-owns Total Wine & More with his brother, and served as the company's president until December 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terri Hill</span> American politician (born 1959)

Terri Lynn Hill is an American politician who serves as a member to the Maryland House of Delegates since 2015, first representing the 12th district from 2015 to 2023 and then district 12A since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Hill previously ran for Congress in Maryland's 7th congressional district in the 2020 special election, in which she was defeated by Kweisi Mfume, and is currently a candidate for Congress in Maryland's 3rd congressional district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maya Rockeymoore Cummings</span> American politician

Maya Michelle Rockeymoore Cummings is an American consultant, politician, and former chair of the Maryland Democratic Party in the United States. Before her election as party chair, she briefly ran for Governor of Maryland. She owns a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Jalisi</span> American politician

Hasan "Jay" Jalisi is an American politician who was a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 10, based in Baltimore County, from 2015 to 2023. In 2022, he unsuccessfully ran for Maryland Senate, placing second to state Delegate Benjamin Brooks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Baltimore mayoral election</span> Election in Baltimore, Maryland, US

The 2020 Baltimore mayoral election was held on November 3, 2020, concurrent with the general election. Baltimore City Council President Brandon Scott, the Democratic Party nominee, won a sizable victory over independent candidate Bob Wallace, Republican Party nominee Shannon Wright, and Working Class Party nominee David Harding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Maryland gubernatorial election</span> Election for governor of Maryland, U.S.

The 2022 Maryland gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the next governor of Maryland. Incumbent governor Larry Hogan was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Maryland's 7th congressional district special election</span>

A special election was held on April 28, 2020, after a February 4, 2020 primary, to fill the remainder of the term in the United States House of Representatives for Maryland's 7th congressional district in the 116th U.S. Congress. Elijah Cummings, the incumbent representative, died in office on October 17, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kimberly Klacik</span> American politician (born 1982)

Kimberly Nicole Klacik is an American businesswoman, political commentator and former political candidate. She was the Republican nominee for Maryland's 7th congressional district in both the April 2020 special election, held following the death of incumbent Elijah Cummings, and the subsequent November 2020 election. In both elections, she lost to Democrat Kweisi Mfume by more than 40 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland</span>

The 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Maryland will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the eight U.S. representatives from the state of Maryland, one from all eight of the state's congressional districts. The elections will coincide with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections. The Democratic and Republican primary elections will be held on May 14, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "Meet Saafir". Saafir Rabb for US Congress. Saafir For Congress. 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Saafir Rabb II - CEO - Interculture". LinkedIn . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  3. ↑ Hall, Tom; Cahill, Kathleen (January 17, 2020). "Saafir Rabb: Candidate for Congress (MD 7th District)". WYPR . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Voter guide: Saafir A. Rabb". The Baltimore Sun . January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  5. ↑ Bykowicz, Julie (June 11, 2009). "RECOVERING ADDICTS PROTEST FUNDING CUTS". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Khan, Saliqa (February 4, 2016). "President Obama visits mosque in Windsor Mill". WBAL-TV . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  7. ↑ Mirza, Suhail (2015). "Leadership". bayanclaremont.org. Bayan Claremont . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  8. ↑ Nisa Islam Muhammad (February 13, 2016). "President Obama's mosque visit gets mixed reviews". The Final Call . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Saffir Rabb, Member of Pres. Barack Obama Transition Team". YouTube . August 9, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Who Attended the Private Discussion with the President?". The Muslim Link. February 21, 2016. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  11. 1 2 Snowden-McCray, Lisa; Soderberg, Brandon (December 10, 2019). "Real Talk Tho Questionnaire: 7th Congressional District candidates respond". Baltimore Beat. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  12. ↑ Portnoy, Jenna; Cox, Erin (November 29, 2019). "Elijah Cummings: Here's who is running to fill his seat in Maryland's 7th district". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  13. ↑ "2020 Special Primary - Congressional District 7 Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 3, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  14. ↑ "2020 Presidential Primary Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. May 30, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2021. Representative in Congress, Congressional District 07
  15. ↑ "Episode 81 with Keith Ellison & Saafir Rabb". Elevate Maryland. January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  16. ↑ Fritze, John; Duncan, Ian (February 3, 2016). "President Obama at Maryland mosque: 'You fit in here'". The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Violence Afflicting America's Jewish and Black Communities Stem From the Same Social Ills. Unless They Unite to Tackle Them, 2020 Could Be Worse". Baltimore Jewish Times . January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  18. ↑ "The El-Hibri Foundation Celebrates President Obama's First Visit to an American Mosque". www.elhibrifoundation.org. El-Hibri Foundation. February 3, 2016. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  19. ↑ Hinson, Ashley (January 21, 2020). "Democratic primary candidates vying to succeed Cummings take part in debate". WBAL-TV . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Issues". Saafir Rabb for US Congress. Saafir For Congress. 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  21. ↑ Round, Ian (January 21, 2020). "Tough questions few and fleeting at 7th Congressional District debate". Baltimore Brew . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.