Yusef Salaam

The wrongful arrest and conviction

At age 15, Salaam was arrested and charged in connection with the Central Park jogger assault 1. He and four other Black and Latino teenagers were convicted in 1990 despite the absence of physical evidence 1. He entered the juvenile justice and prison system, where he would spend nearly seven years.

Release from prison

Salaam was released from prison in 1997 after serving nearly seven years 1,2. His conviction remained on the record until his exoneration.

Exoneration

Matias Reyes confessed to the crime, and DNA evidence confirmed his confession; the convictions of all five men were vacated 1. The exoneration marked the beginning of Salaam's public advocacy career.

The settlement and honorary doctorate

New York City paid $41 million to settle the civil-rights lawsuit brought by the Exonerated Five 1. Salaam also received an Honorary Doctorate that year 2. These milestones marked public recognition of the injustice.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Salaam received a Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama, recognizing his advocacy and resilience 2.

Advocacy, writing, and media

Salaam became a nationally known motivational speaker and author, publishing Better, Not Bitter and co-authoring Punching the Air 2. His story was featured in the Ken Burns documentary The Central Park Five and the Netflix series When They See Us 2. He spoke widely on criminal-justice reform, appearing on national media outlets 2.

Return to New York

Salaam moved back to New York City from Georgia, settling in Harlem, ahead of his Council campaign 1.

Elected to the City Council

In February 2023, Salaam announced his candidacy for the 9th Council District in Harlem 1. He won the July Democratic primary in a landslide, defeating Assembly Members Inez Dickens and Al Taylor, and ran unopposed in the November general election 1,3. He took office in January 2024.

The Trump confrontation and the traffic stop

Salaam's first year on the Council included two high-profile moments: A January 2024 traffic stop in Harlem, which he described as racially motivated, and his September 2024 confrontation with Donald Trump at the presidential debate, where Trump refused to walk back his prior statements about the case 1.

Re-election

Salaam was re-elected to the Council in November 2025 1. His re-election secured a full term representing Harlem.

Summary of offices and roles held

* Motivational speaker, activist, and author (post-2002).

* New York City Council, 9th District (Harlem): January 2024 to present (re-elected 2025).