Ras Baraka Bio and Wiki
Ras Baraka (Full name: Ras Jua Baraka) is an American educator, author, and politician currently serving as the 40th Mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Before running for the 2014 Newark mayoral election, which he won on May 13, 2014, he was the principal of the city’s Central High School and a member of the Municipal Council of Newark.
Baraka took an indefinite leave of absence from his role as Principal to run for the office of the Mayor of Newark. He is the 40th Mayor to occupy that office.
Ras Baraka Age
Baraka was born on April 9, 1970, in Newark, New Jersey, United States. He is 50 years old.
Ras Baraka Height
He is a man of above-average stature. Baraka’s estimated height is 6 ft (Approx. 1.83 m).
Ras Baraka Family | Father
He was born to his father Amiri Baraka, a poet and activist, and his wife Amina Baraka. Baraka comes from a large family. His siblings are Kellie Jones, Dominque DiPrima, Shani Baraka, Amiri Baraka Jr., Obalaji Baraka, Maria Jones, and Ahi Baraka.
Ras Baraka Wife | Lindah Jumah Ras Baraka
Baraka is married to Linda Jumah, a political consultant who once worked on his campaign. In late 2018, Jumah was sentenced to three years of probation, eight months of which she spent in home confinement. Together, the couple is parents to a son named Jua Nyamekye Imamu Kofi Baraka (b. 2019). Baraka’s wife Linda Jumah is 38 years old.
Ras Baraka Wedding
Baraka married his wife Linda Jumah on March 3, 2019, at a wedding ceremony held at the Newark Museum, according to a councilman who attended the wedding and subsequent photos posted on social media. In attendance were many city lawmakers including Gov. Phil Murphy.
Ras Baraka Daughters
Baraka has three daughters Amandla, Assata, and Raisa probably from his first wife who is unnamed. The daughters are currently in their teenage years. In 2019, their step-mother Linda Jumah was accused of assaulting one of the teenage sisters in a domestic dispute at the mayor’s home. It is unclear how the matter was resolved.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka
Baraka first ran for mayor in 1994 when he was just 24 years old. He then ran again in 2014 against former Assistant State Attorney General Shavar Jeffries in the 2014 Newark mayoral election after candidates dropped out of the race.
His candidature was endorsed by the Communication Workers of America, a trade union that boasts of 2000 members living, and thousands more working in Newark in December 2013. Baraka’s stature was enhanced further when former New Jersey governor Richard Codey and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop endorsed him in February 2014. Finally, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East threw their weight behind him in March 2014.
Baraka was elected mayor of Newark on May 13, 2013, edging his challenger Shavar Jeffries by 24,358 to 20,593 of 44,951 total ballots cast. He was sworn in on July 1, 2014, for a four-year term as the 40th Mayor of Newark succeeding Luis A. Quintana. He was reelected in 2018 for a further four years.
Newark Mayor Salary | Ras Baraka Salary
Baraka won the Mayoral election in 2014 on his second attempt. He then won reelection in 2018 for a further four-year term. He is estimated to receive a salary of $180,000 per year.
Ras Baraka Net Worth
He has worked as an educator for the most part of his life until running for elective office in 2014. Baraka has been Mayor of Newark for six years earning an impressive salary. There is therefore no doubt that he has accumulated a good fortune. His net worth is estimated to be $3 million.