Yusef Salaam, a famous American entrepreneur, activist, motivational speaker, and one of the exonerated members of the Central Park Five, made history by winning the Democratic primary for a Harlem City Council seat, reports CNN. Salaam, who was wrongly accused and convicted of assaulting a jogger in Central Park in 1989, served nearly seven years in prison before DNA evidence cleared his name and those of four other black and Hispanic teenagers.
Now he is ready to become a voice for justice, dignity and decency in his community. Salaam’s success is a testament to his tenacity, bravery and vision. He overcame extreme adversity and injustice to become a leader and an inspiration to many. He has stated that he wants to inspire “a new Harlem renaissance” to improve his neighborhood1. By taking office in January 2024, he proved that his future and not his past will shape him.
Early life
On February 27, 1974, Sharonne gave birth to Salaam Salaam. He grew up in Harlem, attended public schools there, and was interested in poetry and music. He was 14 when he was arrested along with Raymond Santana, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray and Korey Wise for a crime they did not commit.
Known as the Central Park Jogger case, the case garnered national attention and heightened racial tensions in New York City. The boys were coerced into confessing by the police and vilified by the media and the public. As a real estate developer at the time, Donald Trump placed full-page newspaper ads in which he advocated the execution of the accused teenagers.
Yusef Salaam career
In 1990, Yusef Salaam and his co-defendants were found guilty and sentenced to several prison terms. For six years and eight months, Salaam was housed in both youth and adult facilities. During his detention, he experienced harassment and loneliness.
He also continued his schooling, graduating with an associate’s degree and high school diploma. A convicted murderer and rapist named Matias Reyes has confessed to carrying out the 2002 attack on the Central Park jogger alone. DNA evidence matching the crime scene supported his confession. A judge overturned the convictions of Salaam and the others, resulting in their exoneration.
After his release, Salaam became an advocate for criminal justice reform and a public speaker. He also continued his education, earning a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in humanities. He co-founded the Innocence Project at the Cardozo School of Law and served on the Innocence Project Board of Directors.
Salaam also co-authored a book with Ibi Zoboi called Punching the Air, a verse novel about a wrongfully imprisoned teenager. He has received several awards and honors for his work, including a 2016 Special Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.
Salaam lives in Harlem, where he launched his campaign for the city council seat in 2023. He ran for affordable housing, education, health care, public safety, and social justice. He faced two opponents: Inez Dickens, a state representative and former councilor, and Al Taylor, who effectively supported Salaam before the vote.
Yusef Salaam Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Yusuf Abdus Salaam |
| birth date | February 27, 1974 |
| Age | 50 years |
| Place of birth | New York, United States |
| Profession | Inspirational speaker |
| University | – |
| qualification | graduate |
Physical Statistics | |
| Height | in feet inches – 5 feet 10 inches – in centimeters – 178 cm |
| Weight | in kilograms – 80kg – in pounds – 176 pounds |
| Hair color | Black |
| eye color | Black |
Yusef Salaam Family | |
| Father | – |
| Mother | Sharonne Salaam |
| Sister | Aisha Salaam |
| Brother | Shareef Salaam |
relationship status | |
| Marital status | Married |
| who is Yusef Salaam’s wife? | Sanovia Guillory |
| Children | Ten |
Personal life
Salaam married nurse and spokeswoman Sanovia Guillory in 2007. They have seven children, plus three from his first marriage. They live in New York with their ten children between the ages of 5 and 25. Salaam loves his family and wants them to live a fulfilling and wise life.
social media
Yusef Salaam has a strong social media presence, and he shares his views and experiences with his followers. He has over 200,000 followers on Twitter (@dr.yusefsalaam) and over 100,000 followers on Instagram (@dr.yusefsalaam). He also has a website (www.yusefsalaam.com) where he posts his poetry, videos, and events.
Yusef Salaam Net Worth
Salaam’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. However, the exact amount is not publicly known. Salaam has earned his wealth through his career as a motivational speaker, author, activist, and politician. He, along with the other members of the Exonerated Five, has also received compensation from the City of New York for his wrongful conviction.