Meet Altarik White

Neighbor, mentor, and proven community problem‑solver. Altarik is running for Council Member‑at‑Large to deliver safer streets, stronger schools, and real opportunities for families across our city.

SEE WHY
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  • Neighborhood Safety
  • Education & Mentoring
  • Economic Empowerment
  • Progressive Infrastructure

Who Am I?

My story is Newark’s story. I am a native son of this city who achieved success as a football athlete and landing in the NFL—but my deepest commitment has been to the place that raised me.

After returning home and building a career as an entrepreneur, I transitioned my focus to community action. I am proud to be the founder and Executive Director of Leaders for Life, Inc., a vital nonprofit dedicated to helping the disenfranchised youth and residents of Newark.

As a community leader, I can’t just talk about change; I’m working with our residents to make positive change happen every day. Through programs like the Leaders for Life Academy, Mentoring Program, and the South Ward Center of Hope (in partnership with Mayor Baraka and the City Council), we provide training, resources, and opportunities that increase literacy, life-skills, and employment for over 50 people daily.

My life proves that Newark is not just a cause to champion, but a place for everyone to have opportunities to grow and make their own impact.

A Pillar for Newark

Altarik White is a genuine pillar of this community, known for telling it like it is. His leadership is characterized by a unique blend of encouragement and discipline. His deep commitment, mirroring the guidance he gives his own children, goes far beyond mentorship.

As a tireless advocate, Altarik focuses on the foundational needs that truly change lives: securing meals for families, providing access to essential laundering facilities, running workshops for struggling parents, and offering hope and connection in neighborhoods that often feel forgotten. He is the connector who bridges the community with local government and organizations to deliver these necessary resources, especially in environments grappling with socioeconomic and racial disparities.

Altarik’s success—from his record-setting football career, earning him a contract with the NFL, to his induction into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame, the William Paterson Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Essex County Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021—underscores his ability to achieve against the odds.

This track record of dedication and real-world results earned him recognition on the 2021 CORE Magazine list of 100 Most Influential Blacks Today, alongside cultural and political icons like Oprah Winfrey and Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka. Altarik’s commitment to education and opportunity is the key to breaking generational curses and building generational wealth in Newark. His energy is contagious, and his leadership is exactly what is needed to ensure the hopes and ambitions of every Newark resident remain firmly within reach.