2016 Speakers

Ras J. Baraka is the 40th Mayor of the City of Newark. He was elected in May of 2014 and sworn in on July 1, 2014.

His progressive approach to governing has won him accolades from grassroots organizations to the White House. He was listed in The Nation’s 2015 “Most Valuable Progressives” as “Most Valuable Mayor”, Ebony Magazine’s “Power 100” and on the front cover of the New York Times for “defying expectations” during his first year-and-half in office. President Barack Obama announced his sweeping plan for criminal justice reform with Mayor Baraka while visiting a Newark reentry center. Because of Mayor Baraka’s diplomatic skill and strong advocacy, Newark Public Schools can expect to be returned to the control of the City for the first time in more than two decades. Throughout the City’s five wards, he is beloved as an educator, former principal, basketball coach, neighbor, mentor and friend.

From the launch of a social impact venture fund to accelerate the development of technology and the opening of the nation’s largest vertical indoor farm, to the creation of the City’s first-ever police Civilian Complaint Review Board to mobilizing residents to combat violence in high-crime areas, Mayor Baraka’s leadership has married a profound vision with an unshakeable passion for the City where he has lived and worked for more than four decades. Public safety is Mayor Ras Baraka’s highest priority. He has connected law enforcement agencies with the community, provided at risk youth with mentoring, education and job training and developed programs to help ex-offenders join the workforce, gain counseling and medical treatment, and reunite with their families.

At the close of 2015, Mayor Baraka unified the Police and Fire Departments under a single Department of Public Safety. This groundbreaking initiative streamlined the two departments, saved money, and put more police on the street. His other public safety initiative, “Occupy the Block,” brings the Mayor and senior staffers together with local residents to disrupt criminal activities on high crime blocks and often collaborates with the Newark Alliance of My Brother’s Keeper, the local coalition which is based on President Obama’s program to repair the disconnect that many young men of color have with law enforcement, education, and government.

In his first 100 days in office, Mayor Baraka closed the City’s budget gap without laying off employees. His perspective on economic development has won him favor with Fortune 500© leaders, small business owners and investors. His strong relationships with Newark’s clergy and higher education leaders has allowed him to foster new collaborations on downtown and neighborhood redevelopment, education initiatives and fighting crime.

A native of Newark, whose family has lived in the City for more than 70 years, Mayor Baraka was educated in the Newark Public Schools and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and a Master’s Degree in Education Supervision from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City. His father, the late Amiri Baraka, was a legendary poet and playwright. His mother, Amina Baraka, is herself a renowned poet.

The father of three daughters, Mayor Baraka is also a published author. His latest work, “Black Girls Learn Love Hard,” is dedicated to his late sister, Shani Baraka.

As professionals go, Medina is on the forefront. Being a Creative Director and working within this industry for over 10 years, Medina has seen the practice of artful conception grow and become more popular, trendier, and more influential with each passing year. This outlook and passion led to the creation of MEDINA = CITI, a design collective, which delves into the worlds of Print Design, Web Design, Multimedia, Film Production, Photography and Ongoing/Contributing Marketing strategies and Social Media Management. As an expert in entrepreneurship, design and social media Medina has spoken at seminars and on panels for SBA, Essex County Office of Affirmative Action and Passaic County. Speaking to aspiring entrepreneurs and small businesses and arming them with tools for success is a way Medina can give back to his community and create success for others. Being an entrepreneur for over 10 years and finding the value and growth in the journey has been a personally gratifying trip and he wishes to pass that on to the next generation.

Kabir Mitra is a senior at New Jersey Institute of Technology, majoring in Chemical Engineering, followed by an MS in Environmental Engineering.

Pursuing startup in the nano-tech and music-tech industries, seeking funding and advising.