Shavar Jeffries facts for kids

Shavar Jeffries is an American lawyer who works to protect people's rights. In January 2023, he became the CEO of the KIPP Foundation. This group helps train teachers and leaders for KIPP public schools. They also share ideas to make learning better for all students.

Before this, he led a group called Democrats for Education Reform. This group supports things like charter schools and making sure schools get enough money. Mr. Jeffries also used to be an Assistant Attorney General for the state. He even ran for Mayor of Newark, New Jersey in 2014.

Early Life and Education

Shavar Jeffries grew up in the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey. He faced a tough time when he lost his mother to violence. His grandmother, who was a public school teacher, then raised him.

He first went to Newark Public Schools. Later, he received a scholarship to attend Seton Hall Preparatory School. This school is in West Orange, New Jersey.

In 1996, Mr. Jeffries earned his college degree from Duke University. After that, he studied law at Columbia Law School. While there, he worked with the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund. He became a lawyer in 1999. Today, Shavar Jeffries lives in Newark with his wife, Tenagne Girma-Jeffries, and their two children.

Shavar Jeffries' Career Journey

After finishing law school, Shavar Jeffries worked for a judge named Nathaniel R. Jones. He then joined a law firm called Wilmer Cutler & Pickering. Since 2001, he has been a lawyer at Gibbons P.C. in Newark.

Since 2004, Mr. Jeffries has also been a professor at Seton Hall Law School. From 2008 to 2010, he took a break from teaching. During this time, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram. He led important departments, including the Civil Rights Division.

In April 2010, the people of Newark elected him to the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board. This board helps guide the city's public schools. In August 2014, he became a partner at the law firm Lowenstein Sandler. In September 2015, he became the president of Democrats for Education Reform. This group works to improve public education.

Running for Mayor of Newark

On May 20, 2013, Shavar Jeffries announced he would run for mayor. He was not very well-known in Newark at the time. Usually, people run for city council first before trying for mayor.

In October 2013, Mr. Jeffries shared his plan to improve public safety in Newark. By January 2014, he had raised the most money for his campaign among all the candidates.

The election happened on May 13, 2014. Shavar Jeffries was defeated by Municipal Council of Newark Council Member Ras Baraka. Other candidates had dropped out earlier.

Mr. Jeffries had a team of eight people running for city council with him. Many important people and groups supported him. These included State Senator Teresa Ruiz and Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor-Marin. He also received support from Donald Payne, Jr. and Hakeem Jeffries, who are both members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Even actress Eva Longoria endorsed him.

On election night, Shavar Jeffries accepted that he had lost the race to Ras Baraka.

Donna Johnson Memorial Scholarship

In 2015, Shavar Jeffries started the Donna Johnson Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship helps young people who have lost a parent or loved one due to violence. It also supports those whose lives have been affected by violence against women. The scholarship helps them continue their education.

Work with Success Academy Charter Schools

Shavar Jeffries left the Board of Directors for Success Academy Charter Schools in 2017. He had different views on education policy than some others involved with the schools. Mr. Jeffries was known for being critical of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and President Donald Trump.