Demetrius Jifunza facts for kids

Demetrius Jifunza (born 1977) is an American Christian Methodist Episcopal pastor and activist. He is known for his work to help people with past convictions get their voting rights back. He is a key leader in the movement to restore these rights in Florida.

Born in Florida, Demetrius Jifunza was originally named Demetrius Smart. He is most famous for helping to raise awareness for Florida Amendment 4. This important change to the Constitution of Florida was approved by voters on November 6, 2018. It was part of the 2018 Florida elections. Amendment 4 gave voting rights back to Floridians who had completed their sentences for past convictions. This included any parole or probation.

Demetrius Jifunza's Early Life and Career

Demetrius Jifunza was born in 1977. He grew up in Sarasota, Florida, with a supportive family. His birth name was Demetrius Smart. Later, he changed his last name to Jifunza, which is a Swahili name. His wife also adopted this new family name.

When he was younger, Demetrius Jifunza faced some legal challenges. He accepts responsibility for his actions at that time. He said, "Since I was there, I take responsibility..." After completing his sentence, he focused on making a positive impact.

Today, Jifunza is a Christian Methodist Episcopal pastor. He also works as a paralegal, which means he helps lawyers with legal work. He is the vice president of the Sarasota chapter of the NAACP. He is also studying for a master's degree in mental health counseling.

Leading the Way for Voting Rights

Demetrius Jifunza started the Sarasota Chapter of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition in 2017. In 2018, he became the vice president of the Sarasota Chapter of the NAACP. He played a big part in bringing Florida Amendment 4 to national attention. He is a pastor, a paralegal, a husband, and a father of three children.

Jifunza became a strong voice for restoring voting rights. He appeared on national TV shows like PBS and HBO. He was also featured in podcasts and major news stories. His efforts helped people across the country understand the issue.

How Media Helped Amendment 4

Demetrius Jifunza's work on television and in the media was very important. It helped make the issue of voting rights a national topic. Because of these efforts, Amendment 4 was passed by voters on November 6, 2018. This was a major step forward for voting rights in Florida.