Jafari Jenkins is a husband and father to six grown daughters & four step-sons. He's a native of Chicago but lived most of his life in Oakland, California. He's also an honorable discharged veteran who served aboard the USS Mars & USS Carl Vinson for eight years. In 2002 Jafari pleaded guilty to a sexal offense that landed him over six years in the California prison system. During Jafari's post-prison release in 2009, he submitted more than 100 employment applications without success. At this point, he realized that a college education was a requirement, not an option, to compete in today's highly competitive job market. While attending North Bay Community College, he was homeless for nearly two years due to parole restrictions and the Jessica Law. He admits to initially being discouraged, overwhelmed, and intimidated by the job market and attending college. Being a registered sex offender and having no education, Jafari felt he was living without hope. After Jafari attended and completed North Bay Community College, where he earned his Associate's degree in business, he enrolled in the Community Re- Entry Program at Napa State University (NSU). He then earned his Bachelor's in Finance in 2017. After graduating from NSU, Jafari relocated to Las Vegas and entered the Prisoners for Hope program, where they helped to establish himself permanently employed. With that success, he bought a house with his wife, Jewels. When not working full-time, Jafari helps other formerly incarcerated and registered sex offenders overcome their adversities and be accepted again to the community to live a productive and more promising lifestyle. Jafari enjoys rolling skating, listening to jazz, watching documentaries, and traveling.
