Ras J. Baraka, the 40th Mayor of the City of Newark, is a beacon of progressive leadership and inspiration. Born and raised in Newark, with deep roots in the city spanning over 70 years, Mayor Baraka’s visionary governance has earned him praise from grassroots movements to the highest echelons of power.
During his tenure, Mayor Baraka has shattered expectations and transformed Newark into a model city of innovation and resilience. His forward-thinking policies have led to a significant decrease in crime rates, unprecedented economic growth, and a renewed sense of community pride. Under his guidance, Newark has become a hub of development, with billions of dollars invested in the city’s future and a comprehensive master plan recognized for its excellence.
With a forward-thinking agenda that reduced crime to its lowest levels in six decades, Mayor Baraka has addressed affordability while maintaining steady growth, lowered unemployment, and returned local control of schools after more than two decades. Mayor Baraka has defied and exceeded expectations during his tenure in office.
Under Mayor Baraka’s leadership, Newark has been recognized as a model city on many fronts. Most notably as a leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing crime to its lowest levels in five decades, tackling homelessness and the City of Newark replacing all 23,000 known lead service lines in less than three years at no cost to residents. Newark has over $2 billion in development in the pipeline, has reduced chronic homelessness by 57 percent, developed an award-winning master plan, created an innovative Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, and has become the most “wired” city in America.
Mayor Baraka’s commitment to social justice and public welfare is evident in his efforts to address homelessness, promote violence prevention, and navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with compassion and efficiency. His dedication to education is rooted in his own experience as a product of Newark Public Schools, culminating in advanced degrees in political science and education supervision.
Beyond his political achievements, Mayor Baraka is a multifaceted individual with a rich cultural heritage. As the son of the legendary poet Amiri Baraka and a respected author and artist in his own right, he brings a unique perspective to his role as a leader. His love for his family, including his wife Linda J. Baraka and their children, is his greatest source of pride and motivation.
Mayor Baraka’s influence extends far beyond the borders of Newark, with appointments to prestigious committees and boards that reflect his dedication to public service and advocacy. Mayor Baraka currently serves as an Executive Board Member for the National League of Cities, and Co-Chair of the NLC’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force; Executive Board Member for the New Jersey League of Municipalities; New Jersey Urban Mayors Association President Emeritus; Vice Chair for Ports, Transportation and Communications Committee for the United State Conference of Mayors and member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee. His leadership in promoting sustainable development, public safety, and environmental protection sets a high standard for mayors across the nation.
In Mayor Ras J. Baraka, we find a true embodiment of resilience, integrity, and vision. His legacy as a transformative leader and compassionate advocate for his community will continue to inspire generations to come.
