Demetrius Jifunza facts for kids

Demetrius Jifunza (born 1977) is an American pastor and activist. He is a leader in the movement to restore voting rights for people who have had felony convictions. He is well-known for his work on this important issue.

Born in Florida, Jifunza's birth name was Demetrius Smart. He is most famous for helping to raise awareness for Florida Amendment 4. This amendment was a big change to the Constitution of Florida. It was approved by voters on November 6, 2018. This happened during the 2018 Florida elections. The amendment gave voting rights back to Floridians with felony convictions. This happened after they finished all parts of their sentence. This included any time on parole or probation.

Demetrius Jifunza: A Champion for Voting Rights

Demetrius Jifunza has become a very important voice for voting rights. He has appeared on national TV shows like PBS and HBO. He has also been featured in podcasts and major news stories. His efforts helped bring the issue of voting rights to a national discussion.

His Life and Work

Jifunza was born in 1977. He grew up in Sarasota, Florida, with a supportive family. He later changed his name from Demetrius Smart to Jifunza. His wife also adopted this new last name.

In his past, Jifunza made a mistake that led to time in prison. He has openly taken responsibility for his actions. This experience helped shape his future work. It made him want to help others who had also been in trouble.

Jifunza is a Christian Methodist Episcopal pastor. He also works as a paralegal. A paralegal helps lawyers with legal tasks. He is also the vice president of the Sarasota chapter of the NAACP. The NAACP is a civil rights organization. He is also studying for a master's degree.

Fighting for Voting Rights

In 2017, Jifunza started the Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. This group works to help people get their voting rights back. In 2018, he became the vice president of the Sarasota Chapter of the NAACP. He helped bring Florida Amendment 4 to national attention.

Amendment 4 was a major step forward. It allowed many people to vote again. This was after they had completed their sentences. Jifunza's work was key to this success. He is a pastor, a paralegal, a husband, and a father of three children.