Personal Background
Jahavaris Fulton, the oldest of two children in a lovely and tragic Miami family, was born in February 1991. His parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, guided him through youth until a life-changing experience at age 21.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1991 |
| Birth Month | February |
| Sibling | Trayvon Martin (younger brother) |
| Undergraduate Institution | Florida International University |
| Graduation Year | 2013 |
| Degree | B.S. in Information Technology |
Jahavaris majored in IT at Florida International University (FIU) in August 2009. After balancing studies with part-time student helper job, he graduated magna cum laude at 22 years old in May 2013. His technology expertise would eventually inform his public service analysis.
Family Background
Jahavaris’s perspective was formed by family relationships, particularly after the 2012 death of his 17-year-old brother, Trayvon Martin, in Sanford, Florida. That tragedy made Sybrina and Tracy national advocates, which Jahavaris and his parents would adopt.
| Family Member | Role | Notable Work |
|---|---|---|
| Sybrina Fulton | Mother | Founder, Trayvon Martin Foundation; activist |
| Tracy Martin | Father | Co-founder, Trayvon Martin Foundation |
| Trayvon Martin | Younger Brother (1995–2012) | Catalyst for Black Lives Matter movement |
- Sybrina Fulton: Launched the Trayvon Martin Foundation in July 2013 to combat racial profiling; amassed over 50 speaking engagements by 2024.
- Tracy Martin: Served on the Foundation’s board and collaborated on community outreach programs reaching 10,000 youths by 2023.
Education and Early Career
After graduating in 2013, Jahavaris used his FIU credentials to secure internships and entry-level analyst roles in public policy and community analytics.
| Year | Position | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2011 | Congressional Intern (Summer) | Office of Rep. Frederica Wilson |
| Summer 2012 | Congressional Intern (Summer) | Office of Rep. Frederica Wilson |
| Summer 2013 | Congressional Intern (Summer) | Office of Rep. Frederica Wilson |
| 2014–2016 | Program Analyst | NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) |
- Congressional Intern: Three consecutive summers (2011–2013) refining legislative research skills in Washington, D.C.
- Program Analyst: Joined YMI in September 2014, analyzing data on education and employment outcomes for young men of color in New York City.
Advocacy Roles
Jahavaris influenced program design and outreach through advocacy activities using his technical skills and passion.
| Initiative | Role | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| NYC Young Men’s Initiative | Program Analyst | Developed metrics dashboard tracking outcomes |
| Trayvon Martin Foundation | Co-founder | Led digital campaigns reaching 250,000 users |
| Policy Fellowship (2020–2022) | Fellow | Drafted racial justice policy briefs for NGOs |
He created a centralised data dashboard that cut reporting time by 30% at YMI (2014–2016). As a co-founder of the Trayvon Martin Foundation’s digital arm in 2017, he led social media campaigns that grew online engagement from 10,000 to 260,000 followers in two years.
Financial Overview
Despite receiving no Foundation compensation, Jahavaris ensures donor money are used transparently. Financial information is accessible from the Foundation’s 2023 IRS file.
| Metric | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Assets (2023) | 144,370 |
| Total Revenue (2023) | 200,450 |
| Program Expenses (2023) | 180,520 |
| Administrative Expenses | 19,930 |
| Executive Compensation | 0 |
- Total Assets: $144,370 at year‑end 2023.
- Revenue Streams: 85% from individual contributions, 15% from corporate grants.
- Expenses: 90% allocated to program services, 10% to administrative costs.
Media and Public Presence
Talking in forums, panel debates, and posting personal comments, Jahavaris stays active in mainstream and social media.
| Year | Platform | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | National Press | First interview on CNN regarding case |
| 2015 | Public Forum | Spoke at Harvard Racial Justice Summit |
| 2018 | Documentary (PBS) | Featured discussing racial profiling |
| 2021 | Podcast Guest | Appeared on “Justice Chronicles” |
| 2025 | Social Media | Reflected on mother’s passing and legacy |
- 2013: Debuted on national television to discuss his brother’s impact.
- 2015: Invited speaker at Harvard’s summit, addressing 500+ attendees.
- 2025: In March, he posted an emotional note about his mother’s passing and the bittersweet arrival of her life‑insurance funds.
Legal Testimony
In the 2013 George Zimmerman trial, Jahavaris’ 911 call audio testimony was crucial.
| Date | Court | Testimony Detail |
|---|---|---|
| March 18, 2013 | Seminole County | Identified the voice screaming “help” as Trayvon’s |
| March 20, 2013 | Seminole County | Clarified timing of doorbell recording |
His testimony that the 911 recording’s distressed voice matched his brother’s tone and urgency influenced jury deliberations and established the timeline.
Recent Reflections
Jahavaris wrote brief posts in Spring 2025 about sadness and thankfulness, summing up decades of activism.
| Date | Platform | Reflection Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 14, 2025 | X (formerly Twitter) | Offered thanks to volunteers at community outreach event |
| Mar 10, 2025 | X | Shared mother’s obituary and noted life‑insurance complexities |
In February, he marked the 10th anniversary of the Foundation’s “Walk for Justice,” praising early-morning volunteers for enduring the 7-AM coffee queue.
FAQ
Who is Jahavaris Fulton?
Jahavaris Fulton, the eldest brother of Trayvon Martin and co-founder of the Trayvon Martin Foundation, promotes technology-driven social justice.
What did he study in college?
Florida International University awarded him a magna cum laude Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in May 2013.
His public service roles?
He worked as a Program Analyst for the NYC Young Men’s Initiative from 2014 to 2016 and was a Congressional intern from 2011 to 2013.
Does the Trayvon Martin Foundation pay him?
No, the Foundation’s 2023 IRS file shows no executive salary for directors, including Jahavaris.
What legal achievement did he make?
He identified his brother’s 911 call voice in the 2013 Zimmerman trial, helping the jury reconstruct the sequence.
How active is he on social media?
As of June 2025, he has over 50,000 followers on X (previously Twitter) and provides advocacy and personal observations.