The man, James Coleman, 35, is accused of killing Shani Baraka, 31, and Rayshon Holmes, 30, of Irvington. That same year, he published his first collection of poetry, “Black Girls Learn Love Hard,” dedicated to his sister, Shani Baraka, who was murdered in 2003. A daughter, Shani Baraka, was murdered in 2003 by the estranged husband of her sister, Wanda Pasha. Shani’s brother, Ras Baraka, is presently the deputy mayor of Newark. Ras Jua Baraka (born April 9, 1970) is an American educator, author, and politician who is the 40th and current Mayor of Newark, New Jersey.He was previously a member of the Municipal Council of Newark and the principal of the city's Central High School until he took an indefinite leave of absence to run for the 2014 Newark mayoral election, which he won on May 13, 2014. “It was the first week of school. Now an accomplished actor, Baraka was only a few words away from a life in prison, all because he couldn’t read. A son, Ras Baraka, became a councilman in Newark. Raising a picture of Shani up high, Mr. Baraka said: "Remember, Shani!" Amiri Baraka (born Everett LeRoi Jones; October 7, 1934 – January 9, 2014), previously known as LeRoi Jones and Imamu Amear Baraka, was an American writer of poetry, drama, fiction, essays and music criticism. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/amiri-baraka-3330.php In 2014, after Newark Mayor Ras Baraka won his bid for mayor, his brother and chief of staff, Amiri “Middy” Baraka, Jr. said, “I’ve got my brother’s back.” Amiri Baraka, Black Poet Condemned as anti-Semitic, Dies . Obalaji Baraka, 49, the eldest brother, said Shani Baraka was active in the community and her name can make women feel more comfortable when coming to seek help. He was the author of numerous books of poetry and taught at several universities, including the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University. Baraka’s writings, lectures and poetry brought him fame across the U.S. beginning in the 1960s, and the one-time black nationalist was celebrated by many African Americans as a voice of the disenfranchised. Baraka’s turning point came in the sixth grade.