How Ras Baraka built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Ras Baraka is an American politician, author, and educator currently serving as the 40th mayor of Newark, New Jersey. A Democrat, he was first elected in 2014 and subsequently re-elected in 2018 and 2022. Baraka's work also includes writing and teaching, demonstrating his commitment to both political leadership and community development.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was detained during a Homeland Security visit to Delaney Hall after a verbal altercation. This followed a Congressional oversight visit to a New Jersey ICE prison concerning detainee dignity.
In 1994, Ras Baraka ran his first campaign for mayor at the age of 24.
In 1998, Ras Baraka was featured on Lauryn Hill's album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", as the narrator of several interludes. He also recorded the intro to The Fugees' second album, "The Score".
In 2002, Ras Baraka became a Newark Municipal Council member and was appointed deputy mayor.
In November 2005, Ras Baraka was voted to complete the term vacated by the deceased Councilmember-at-Large Donald Kofi Tucker.
In 2006, Ras Baraka concluded his tenure as a Newark Municipal Council member.
In 2007, Ras Baraka became the principal of Central High School.
In May 2010, Ras Baraka defeated then-councilman Oscar James II in a contested election. This election was documented on the Sundance reality television series "Brick City".
In 2010, Mark Zuckerberg donated $100 million to the Newark school system through his foundation StartUp Education.
In August 2013, fellow council members Mildred C. Crump and Ronald C. Rice formally backed Ras Baraka's candidacy for the 2014 Newark mayoral election.
In October 2013, Cory Booker resigned from his position as mayor of Newark after being elected to the United States Senate, leading to a special election in 2014 where Ras Baraka was ultimately elected as his successor.
In October 2013, Ras Baraka introduced his program to deal with crime and gang violence in Newark, named the "Ras Baraka Blueprint to Reduce Crime and Violence in Newark".
In December 2013, the Communication Workers of America endorsed Ras Baraka.
In 2013, Ras Baraka concluded his tenure as principal of Central High School.
In February 2014, Ras Baraka received the endorsement of former New Jersey Governor Richard Codey and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop.
In March 2014, Ras Baraka called for a forensic audit of the Newark Watershed and Development Corporation.
On May 13, 2014, Ras Baraka was sworn in as the 40th mayor of Newark, New Jersey, marking the start of his first term in office.
In May 2014, Newark was granted local powers over budget and finance for its schools, but the state retained the right to veto any action and appoint the superintendent.
In May 2014, Ras Baraka introduced a resolution adopted by the municipal council to purchase homes with underwater mortgages through eminent domain and refinance them.
On May 28, 2014, Ras Baraka announced his transition team, which was headed by former mayor Kenneth Gibson.
On July 1, 2014, Ras Baraka was officially sworn in as the 40th mayor of Newark at a ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
In August 2014, Ras Baraka considered asking for emergency aid from the state due to a $30 million deficit in the city's 2013 budget and an anticipated $60 million deficit for 2014.
In September 2014, the city of Newark auctioned foreclosed properties to raise funds and was awarded $10 million in transitional aid from the state's Department of Community Affairs.
In 2014, Ras Baraka initiated a program called "Model Neighborhoods" intended to take a comprehensive approach to addressing the factors causing troubled neighborhoods.
In 2014, Ras Baraka ran in the Newark mayoral election against Shavar Jeffries.
In 2014, shortly after winning the election, Ras Baraka initiated meetings with Cory Booker, Governor Chris Christie, and Essex Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr.
In 2014, the city of Newark initiated a Valentine's Day building lot sale in which married couples could purchase housing plots for $1,000, provided they built a house within 18 months.
In Fall 2014, Ras Baraka started the Model Neighborhood initiative, which increased police presence in troubled neighborhoods.
In June 2015, Cami Anderson resigned as the state-appointed superintendent of Newark's schools.
As of 2015, few houses had been built on the plots sold in the 2014 Valentine's Day building lot sale due to insufficient financing.
In 2018, Ras Baraka was re-elected as the mayor of Newark.
In 2019, Ras Baraka released the spoken word video titled "What We Want".
In 2019, Ras Baraka's administration began a massive effort to replace lead water pipes in Newark.
By spring of 2021, local officials in Newark had removed more than 20,000 lead service lines as part of the effort that began in 2019.
In 2022, Ras Baraka was re-elected as the mayor of Newark.
On February 19, 2024, Ras Baraka announced his candidacy for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election.
In 2025, Ras Baraka announced his candidacy for governor of New Jersey in the election.
In 2025, Ras Baraka is running for governor of New Jersey.
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