Shaun King#Real Justice PAC

{{short description|American writer and civil-rights activist (born 1979)}}

{{Infobox person

|name=Shaun King

|image=Shaun King (Dec 2023) 02 (cropped).png

|caption=King in 2023

|birth_name=Jeffery Shaun King

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1979|9|17}}

|birth_place=Franklin County, Kentucky, U.S.

|alma_mater=Morehouse College (BA)
Arizona State University (MA)

|occupation={{hlist|Writer|activist|entrepreneur}}

|party= Independent (2016–present)
Democratic (until 2016){{Cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/5/26/11778158/shaun-king-democratic-party |title=Shaun King explains why he thinks the Democratic Party can't be saved |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-date=July 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707184356/https://www.vox.com/2016/5/26/11778158/shaun-king-democratic-party |url-status=live }}

|movement=Black Lives Matter

|spouse={{marriage|Rai King|2001}}

|children=5

|website=[https://www.shaunking.org shaunking.org]

}}

Jeffery Shaun King (born September 17, 1979) is an American writer and activist.

As a writer, King has contributed to Daily Kos, New York Daily News, and The Young Turks. King co-founded the Real Justice PAC in 2018, launched the website The North Star in 2019, and co-founded the non-profit Grassroots Law Project in 2020.

On numerous occasions, King has faced accusations of fiscal mismanagement and of raising money from donors that does not reach its intended recipients.{{cite news |author=Lowery, Wesley |date=May 5, 2015 |title=Online activists raised $60K for Tamir Rice's family – so where did all that money go? |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/05/05/online-activists-raised-60k-for-tamir-rices-family-so-where-did-all-that-money-go |url-status=live |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819182401/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/05/05/online-activists-raised-60k-for-tamir-rices-family-so-where-did-all-that-money-go/ |archive-date=August 19, 2015}} In addition, the Grassroots Law Project has been questioned for its high compensation paid to King and his associates, as well as its lack of progress on its main initiative.{{Cite news |last=Bredderman |first=William |date=September 21, 2022 |title=Inside Shaun King's Shadowy $6.7 Million Nonprofit |language=en |work=The Daily Beast |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-shaun-kings-shadowy-dollar67-million-nonprofit-grassroots-law-project-formed-after-george-floyds-death |access-date=March 10, 2023 |archive-date=October 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022142539/https://www.thedailybeast.com/inside-shaun-kings-shadowy-dollar67-million-nonprofit-grassroots-law-project-formed-after-george-floyds-death |url-status=live }} In 2023, King was involved in further controversy when he falsely claimed to have worked behind the scenes with Hamas and Qatar to secure the release of Israeli hostages during the Gaza war; the family of the released hostages said that he had "lied" and "fabricated his involvement".

Early life and education

Jeffery Shaun King was born in Franklin, Kentucky and raised in Versailles, Kentucky.[http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/WKYT-Exclusive--Versailles-leaders-invite-Shaun-King-back-to-hometown-323491871.html "Versailles leaders discuss Shaun King's critical comments"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805082708/http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/WKYT-Exclusive--Versailles-leaders-invite-Shaun-King-back-to-hometown-323491871.html |date=August 5, 2018 }}, WKYT.com, August 31, 2015 Although his birth certificate names Jeffery Wayne King, a white man, as his father, King stated in 2015 that his mother told him his actual biological father is a light-skinned black man.{{cite news |title=Activist Shaun King says man on his birth certificate isn't his biological father |date=August 20, 2015 |last1=Lowery |first1=Wesley |last2=Miller |first2=Michael |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/08/20/activist-shaun-king-says-man-on-birth-certificate-isnt-his-biological-father/ |access-date=September 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919162704/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/08/20/activist-shaun-king-says-man-on-birth-certificate-isnt-his-biological-father/ |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-black-lives-matter-activist-shaun-king-says-his-mother-had-affair-with-his-father-a-light-skinned-black-man-143395/ |title=Christian Black Lives Matter Activist Shaun King Says His Mother Had Affair With His Father, a 'Light-Skinned' Black Man |last=Blair |first=Leonardo |work=The Christian Post |date=August 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109113820/http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-black-lives-matter-activist-shaun-king-says-his-mother-had-affair-with-his-father-a-light-skinned-black-man-143395/ |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |url-status=live}} King's mother is Naomi Kay (Fleming) King, a white woman of Irish descent.{{cite web |title=@shaunking |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/lqVhbPhXsv/?taken-by=shaunking |website=Instagram |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212174201/https://www.instagram.com/p/lqVhbPhXsv/?taken-by=shaunking |archive-date=December 12, 2015 |url-status=dead}} By second grade, she raised King and his brother as a single parent.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/20/1413881/-Race-love-hate-and-me-A-distinctly-American-story |title=Race, love, hate, and me: A distinctly American story |last=King |first=Shaun |work=Daily Kos |date=August 20, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820231410/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/20/1413881/-Race-love-hate-and-me-A-distinctly-American-story |archive-date=August 20, 2015 |url-status=live}} King attended Huntertown Elementary School and Woodford County High School.{{cite journal |first=Michele |last=Gorman |url=http://www.newsweek.com/shaun-king-fires-back-conservative-media-outlets-doubt-he-biracial-364595 |title=Black Lives Matter Leader Shaun King Denies He Lied About Race and Assault |journal=Newsweek |date=August 20, 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022054014/http://www.newsweek.com/shaun-king-fires-back-conservative-media-outlets-doubt-he-biracial-364595 |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Woodford-native-Black-Lives-Matter-activist-responds-to--322514812.html |title=Woodford native Shaun King responds to questions about his race |publisher=WKYT |date=August 21, 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805052359/http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Woodford-native-Black-Lives-Matter-activist-responds-to--322514812.html |archive-date=August 5, 2018 |url-status=live}}

King has stated that he was the victim of racism and hate crimes while growing up in Kentucky. He told reporters of a time that a pickup truck full of youths attempted to run him over with the vehicle on school property. King recalls that, after reporting the incident to school authorities, the youths were protected rather than punished. King later said that a second assault occurred, wherein "a dozen self-described 'rednecks'" beat him, and claimed the injuries caused him to miss a portion of two years of high school due to multiple spinal surgeries. King characterized the assault as a racially motivated hate crime. In 2015, media outlets questioned King's account of the assault, and, citing interviews with the investigating detective Keith Broughton and police reports on the case, characterized the fight as a one-on-one between King and another boy over a girl, where King sustained minor injuries. Broughton reportedly interviewed multiple witnesses, including a teacher who broke up the fight. A band teacher, two fellow students from King's high school, as well as King's wife, posted their recollection of the event to Facebook, backing King's account.{{cite news |work=The New York Times |title=Activist Shaun King Denies Claims He Lied About Race and Assault |first=Ashley |last=Southall |date=August 19, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/20/us/activist-shaun-king-denies-claims-he-lied-about-race-and-assault.html |access-date=March 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108231047/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/20/us/activist-shaun-king-denies-claims-he-lied-about-race-and-assault.html |archive-date=January 8, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2015/8/19/9180389/the-shaun-king-controversy-explained |publisher=Vox |first=German |last=Lopez |date=August 21, 2015 |title=The Shaun King controversy, explained |access-date=June 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611220800/https://www.vox.com/2015/8/19/9180389/the-shaun-king-controversy-explained |archive-date=June 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/black-lives-matter-activist-shaun-king-white-article-1.2330658 |title=Rachel Dolezal 2.0? Shaun King, activist for the Black Lives Matter movement, has race questioned |work=Daily News|location=New York |first=Candace |last=Amos |date=September 9, 2015 |access-date=June 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620155954/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/black-lives-matter-activist-shaun-king-white-article-1.2330658 |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |url-status=live}}

King attended Morehouse College, a private, historically black men's college in Atlanta, Georgia, where he majored in history.{{cite news |last=Scott |first=Jeffry |date=November 8, 2010 |title=Pastor harnesses online giving |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/lifestyles/holiday/pastor-harnesses-online-giving-1/nQbDh |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308093835/http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/lifestyles/holiday/pastor-harnesses-online-giving-1/nQbDh/ |archive-date=March 8, 2016}} In 1999, King was elected president of the student government association.{{cite news |last=Rosalind Bentley |first=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |title=Shaun King says he hasn't lied about his race |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/shaun-king-says-hasn-lied-about-his-race/yTZkkyg0GoXRZv9GzippGP/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113063041/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/shaun-king-says-hasn-lied-about-his-race/yTZkkyg0GoXRZv9GzippGP/ |archive-date=January 13, 2019 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=en}} Midway through his education, he had to take a medical leave.{{cite web |url=http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Ripple-Effect-of-One-Act-of-Kindness-Oprah-Scholarship/6 |title=Ripple Effect of One Act of Kindness – Oprah Scholarship |work=Oprah.com |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924094513/http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Ripple-Effect-of-One-Act-of-Kindness-Oprah-Scholarship/6 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live}} Upon his return, he was named an Oprah Winfrey Scholar by Morehouse.{{cite news |first=Seraine |last=Page |url=http://coastalcourier.com/m/archives/32495 |title=Local Oprah Scholar on final show |website=coastalcourier.com |date=June 1, 2011 |publisher=Hinesville Publishing |access-date=June 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313090702/http://coastalcourier.com/m/archives/32495 |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |url-status=dead}} In 2018, King earned a master's degree in history from Arizona State University.{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/shaunking/status/993556327170564096?lang=en |title=Today I officially earned my Masters in History from I got married when I was in undergrad Morehouse. We had our first baby when we were still in college. Had to shelve my dream of grad school for about 15 years. Better late... Gonna push on through & get my PhD next. |last=King |first=Shaun |date=May 7, 2018 |website=@shaunking |language=en |access-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308164313/https://twitter.com/shaunking/status/993556327170564096?lang=en |url-status=dead }}{{Primary source inline|date=May 2025}}{{Cite web |title=Arizona State University Commencement and Convocation Program |url=https://graduation.asu.edu/sites/default/files/spring-2018-asu-all-pages-weblr.pdf |access-date=November 2, 2023 |website=graduation.asu.edu}}

Career

After graduation, King was a high school civics teacher for about a year and then worked in Atlanta's juvenile justice system.{{cite web |author=Anderson, Troy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823093352/http://www.rebelmagazine.com/articles/philanthropy |archive-date=August 23, 2014 |title=Innovative entrepreneur Shaun King has mastered the art of using social media for social good |url=http://www.rebelmagazine.com/articles/philanthropy |work=rebelmagazine.com |date=March 2012}} King left teaching and worked as a pastor at Total Grace Christian Center in DeKalb County, Georgia.{{cite web|publisher=WTLC (AM)|title=Atlanta Pastor Under 'Review' For Possible Crimes Against Children|author=Cole, Patrick|date=March 26, 2011|url=https://praiseindy.com/1251751/atlanta-pastor-under-review-for-possible-crimes-against-children/}}

King relates that he had been inspired to become a pastor when he was in high school; while King was recovering from injuries after an assault, he was regularly visited by his best friend's father, who was a pastor. He recalled growing up without a father figure and said, "I just found myself so impacted by this man coming to visit me that I wanted to be like him." In 2008, King founded a church in Atlanta called "Courageous Church". He made use of social media to recruit new members and was known as the "Facebook Pastor".{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Marshall |url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/interviews/4220-shaunking.html |title=Shaun King: Courageous Church, Atlanta |website=outreachmagazine.com |date=June 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829094746/http://www.outreachmagazine.com/interviews/4220-shaunking.html |archive-date=August 29, 2015 |url-status=dead}} In 2012, King resigned from the Courageous Church, citing personal stress and disillusionment.{{cite web |first=Nicola |last=Menzie |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/hopemob-ceo-and-retired-pastor-shaun-king-talks-churches-technology-new-startup-94242 |title=HopeMob CEO and Retired Pastor Shaun King Talks Churches, Technology, New Startup |work=The Christian Post |date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=August 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822121653/http://www.christianpost.com/news/hopemob-ceo-and-retired-pastor-shaun-king-talks-churches-technology-new-startup-94242/ |archive-date=August 22, 2015 |url-status=live}}

=Journalism=

King has written extensively about his experiences as a biracial person, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement, which gained prominence during the events that followed the shooting of Michael Brown.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} Shaun wrote an article analyzing the Brown crime scene, and argued that the evidence suggested that officer Darren Wilson's life was not in danger during the shooting.{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sandra-bland-social-video-react-20150722-story.html |title=Suspicion over 'glitches' in Sandra Bland arrest video shouldn't surprise us |last=Thomas |first=Dexter |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 22, 2015 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821105721/http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sandra-bland-social-video-react-20150722-story.html |archive-date=August 21, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/video-police-lied-mike-brown-was-killed-148-feet-away-darren-wilsons-suv |title=Distance is essential to the defense and how Wilson must demonstrate that he reasonably feared for his safety |last=King |first=Shaun |work=Daily Kos |via=AlterNet |date=December 1, 2014 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413071325/http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/video-police-lied-mike-brown-was-killed-148-feet-away-darren-wilsons-suv |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}

File:Robert Wolfe and Shaun King (cropped).jpg CEO Robert Wolfe (left) in 2013]]

King became a contributing blogger for the politically liberal website, the Daily Kos, in September 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/01/1333655/-Meet-our-newest-writer-Shaun-King |title=Meet our newest writer, Shaun King |website=Daily Kos |date=October 1, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824235313/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/01/1333655/-Meet-our-newest-writer-Shaun-King |archive-date=August 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.dailykos.com/user/Shaun%20King |title=Shaun King's profile |work=Daily Kos |access-date=June 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170319093820/http://www.dailykos.com/user/Shaun%20King |archive-date=March 19, 2017 |url-status=live}} On October 2, 2015, King joined the New York Daily News as a senior justice writer, where he focused on reporting and providing commentary on social justice, police brutality and race relations.{{Cite web |last=Pallotta |first=Frank |date=October 2, 2015 |title=NY Daily News hires columnist and activist Shaun King |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/10/02/media/new-york-daily-news-shaun-king-black-lives-matter/index.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |website=CNNMoney |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003211417/https://money.cnn.com/2015/10/02/media/new-york-daily-news-shaun-king-black-lives-matter/index.html |url-status=live }} On December 28, 2016, Cenk Uygur announced that King had been hired as a political commentator for The Young Turks.{{cite web |last1=Wysocki |first1=Aaron |title=The Young Turks Hire Nomiki Konst And Shaun King |url=https://tytnetwork.com/2016/12/28/the-young-turks-hire-nomiki-konst-and-shaun-king/ |website=TYTNetwork |access-date=December 29, 2016 |date=December 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229133549/https://tytnetwork.com/2016/12/28/the-young-turks-hire-nomiki-konst-and-shaun-king/ |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |url-status=live}} King left the Daily News in 2016.{{Cite news |url=https://journalisms.theroot.com/shaun-king-is-out-daily-news-loses-its-activist-black-1798403707 |title=Shaun King Is Out: Daily News Loses Its Activist Black Columnist |last=Prince |first=Richard |work=Journal-isms |access-date=May 15, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516025444/https://journalisms.theroot.com/shaun-king-is-out-daily-news-loses-its-activist-black-1798403707 |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/04/19/media/shaun-king-daily-news-plagiarism-accusations/index.html|title=Daily News fires editor after Shaun King accused of plagiarism|first=Dylan|last=Byers|date=April 19, 2016|website=CNNMoney}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/business/media/daily-news-editor-fired-plagiarism-shaun-king.html|title=A Daily News Editor Is Fired After Plagiarism Accusations|first=Christopher|last=Mele|date=April 20, 2016|work=The New York Times}}

In 2019, King launched the crowdfunded website The North Star, calling it an online "revival" of the anti-slavery newspaper of the same name, claiming that he had the support of the relatives of Frederick Douglass (the original paper's editor). The site has articles, podcast episodes, and videos for a subscription fee,{{cite news |url=http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/shaun-king-the-north-star-newspaper.html |newspaper=New York |access-date=January 23, 2020 |title=97 Minutes With Shaun King. The controversial activist asks, 'What would Frederick Douglass do?' |first=Amos |last=Barshad |date=January 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130192044/http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/01/shaun-king-the-north-star-newspaper.html |archive-date=November 30, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/11/10/666569978/activist-shaun-king-on-why-hes-reviving-frederick-douglass-north-star-paper |title=Activist Shaun King On Why He's Reviving Frederick Douglass' 'North Star' Paper |website=NPR.org |date=November 10, 2018 |language=en |access-date=January 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111080925/https://www.npr.org/2018/11/10/666569978/activist-shaun-king-on-why-hes-reviving-frederick-douglass-north-star-paper |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |url-status=live |last1=Martin |first1=Michel }}{{Cite web |url=https://thenorthstar.com/ |title=The North Star |language=en-US |access-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817215130/https://thenorthstar.com/ |archive-date=August 17, 2019 |url-status=live}} with a focus on social justice issues, including police brutality and mass incarceration.{{Cite web |url=https://diverseeducation.com/article/136027/ |title=A Revived 'North Star' Emerges |last=Stewart |first=Pearl |date=January 14, 2019 |website=Diverse |language=en |access-date=July 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611075906/https://diverseeducation.com/article/136027/ |archive-date=June 11, 2020 |url-status=live}} The Daily Beast reported that the site did not deliver all the features that were promised during the fundraisers, such as a daily video broadcast and an app. King said he had been "overzealous" with the project, and that he should have listened to advisors who had told him that his plans for the site were too ambitious. After leaving The North Star, historian and former editor-in-chief Keisha Blain accused King via Twitter of being "a liar & a fraud", stating that she was prevented from saying as much because of a non-disclosure agreement.{{Cite web |last=Blain |first=Keisha |date=March 4, 2020 |title=Dr. Keisha N. Blain on X |url=https://twitter.com/KeishaBlain/status/1235324051205353473 |via=Twitter}}{{Primary source inline|date=May 2025}} Another former employee claimed that they and others had to fight for months to receive the health care benefits they were promised, while King claimed that all employees received full health care coverage.{{Cite news |last=Holloway |first=Kali |date=May 26, 2020 |title=Shaun King Keeps Raising Money, and Questions About Where It Goes |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/shaun-king-keeps-raising-money-and-questions-about-where-it-goes-3 |access-date=November 25, 2020 |website=The Daily Beast |language=en |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120010829/https://www.thedailybeast.com/shaun-king-keeps-raising-money-and-questions-about-where-it-goes-3 |url-status=live }}{{Cite tweet |number=1235324051205353473 |user=KeishaBlain |title=Shaun and the word 'accountability' should never appear in the same sentence. So many people warned me about him and I didn't listen. But I learned through experience--not rumours or innuendos but real life experience with a liar & a fraud. Blocking can't erase facts. |date=March 4, 2020}} Former co-workers at The North Star described King as a poor fiscal manager, absent, and incompetent, according to The Daily Beast.

=Activism=

In August 2015, King launched Justice Together, an organization to identify police brutality and lobby local politicians for change. He unilaterally disbanded the organization in the fall of 2016 to the surprise of many of the group's members.{{cite web |date=January 29, 2016 |title=The rise and fall of Shaun King, former Black Lives Matter darling |url=http://www.complex.com/life/2016/01/shaun-king-black-lives-matter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072308/http://www.complex.com/life/2016/01/shaun-king-black-lives-matter/ |archive-date=April 13, 2017 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |website=Complex.com}} In September 2016, King proposed an Injustice Boycott for December of that year.{{cite news |last=Puglise |first=Nicole |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Could a boycott by black Americans end police brutality and injustice in the US? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/30/boycott-police-brutality-civil-rights-isaiah-washington-shaun-king |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111212941/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/30/boycott-police-brutality-civil-rights-isaiah-washington-shaun-king |archive-date=November 11, 2016 |access-date=November 2, 2016 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite news |last=King |first=Shaun |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Here is how we will boycott injustice and police brutality in America |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-boycott-injustice-police-brutality-article-1.2812999 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024010229/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-boycott-injustice-police-brutality-article-1.2812999 |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=November 2, 2016 |work=Daily News|location=New York}}

In an October 11, 2017, article in The Washington Post, King was credited with leading a successful months-long and far-reaching social media campaign which led to the identification and arrest of three of the men behind the August 12, 2017, assault on DeAndre Harris during the Unite the Right rally. Three men were arrested for the parking-garage beating.{{cite news |title=Black man attacked by white supremacists in Charlottesville faces felony charge |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-brutal-beating-of-black-man-by-white-supremacists-still-roils-charlottesville/2017/10/10/e5994132-a515-11e7-8cfe-d5b912fabc99_story.html |date=October 11, 2017 |access-date=October 15, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |first1=Ian |last1=Shapira |first2=Derek |last2=Hawkins |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014221349/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-brutal-beating-of-black-man-by-white-supremacists-still-roils-charlottesville/2017/10/10/e5994132-a515-11e7-8cfe-d5b912fabc99_story.html |archive-date=October 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/third-white-supremacist-arrested-in-charlottesville-garage-beating-of-a-black-man/2017/10/11/49277d5c-ae8c-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html |title=Third white supremacist arrested in Charlottesville garage beating of a black man |date=August 28, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012001147/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/third-white-supremacist-arrested-in-charlottesville-garage-beating-of-a-black-man/2017/10/11/49277d5c-ae8c-11e7-a908-a3470754bbb9_story.html |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}} Two were subsequently convicted while two others are awaiting trial.

In 2018, King co-founded Real Justice PAC, a political action committee to help elect prosecutors who support criminal justice reform at the county and city levels.{{Cite news |last=Marans |first=Daniel |date=February 15, 2018 |title=Black Activist Starts Group That Aims To Elect Progressive Prosecutors |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-activist-elect-progressive-prosecutors_us_5a85b64ee4b0058d55670e4f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322070705/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-activist-elect-progressive-prosecutors_us_5a85b64ee4b0058d55670e4f |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=January 13, 2019 |work=HuffPost |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Stewart |first=Joshua |title=Liberal PAC jumps into DA race, might be first wave of money |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-justice-pac-20180312-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324162246/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-justice-pac-20180312-story.html |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |access-date=March 23, 2018 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}

Controversies

=Deleted false sexual assault accusation against Texas state trooper=

On May 20, 2018, King accused a white Texas state trooper of sexually assaulting Sherita Dixon-Cole, a Black human resources professional.{{cite web |author1=BlackAmericaWeb.com Staff |title=Shaun King: Will Sherita Dixon-Cole get justice? |date=May 22, 2018 |url=https://blackamericaweb.com/2018/05/22/shaun-king-will-sherita-dixon-cole-get-justice/2/ |publisher=Black America Web |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524151412/https://blackamericaweb.com/2018/05/22/shaun-king-will-sherita-dixon-cole-get-justice/2/ |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Alcorn |first1=Chauncey |title=Texas trooper's bodycam footage appears to contradict sexual assault allegation, attorney apologizes |url=https://mic.com/articles/189467/attorney-texas-trooper-sexually-assaulted-woman-threatened-fiance-during-traffic-stop#.PmFSQWQRY |access-date=May 24, 2018 |publisher=Mic Network |date=May 22, 2018 |archive-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001134353/https://www.mic.com/articles/189467/attorney-texas-trooper-sexually-assaulted-woman-threatened-fiance-during-traffic-stop#.PmFSQWQRY |url-status=live }} The trooper had arrested Dixon-Cole for drunk driving, and King based his accusation on statements she and her family made to King and Philadelphia-based lawyer S. Lee Merritt. King's social media posts, which identified the trooper by name, went viral, and "substantial harassment and threats" were made against the arresting trooper as well as another trooper with the same last name.{{cite news |author1=FOX4News.com Staff |title=Lawyer apologizes for falsely accusing trooper of rape |url=http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/lawyer-apologizes-for-falsely-accusing-trooper-of-rape |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524082530/http://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/lawyer-apologizes-for-falsely-accusing-trooper-of-rape |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=live}} The Texas Department of Public Safety subsequently released nearly two hours of bodycam footage on May 22 that exonerated the trooper.{{cite news |last1=Ablon |first1=Matthew |title=Bodycam video refutes Texas trooper assault claim; attorney apologizes |url=http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Texas-DPS-responds-to-accusations-against-trooper-in-DWI-stop-483176441.html |access-date=May 24, 2018 |publisher=KWTX-TV News 10 |date=May 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523190728/http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Texas-DPS-responds-to-accusations-against-trooper-in-DWI-stop-483176441.html |archive-date=May 23, 2018 |url-status=live}} Merritt subsequently apologized for the false accusation and national attention he had brought to the case.{{cite news |last1=English |first1=Stephen |title=She accused a Texas state trooper of sexual assault. Then her lawyer apologized |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article211734544.html |access-date=May 24, 2018 |publisher=Star-Telegram |date=May 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524012243/http://www.star-telegram.com/news/state/texas/article211734544.html |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=live}} King deleted his social media posts after the body-cam video was released.{{cite news |author=Woodard, Teresa |title=Charges possible for woman who falsely accused DPS trooper of sex assault, DA says |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-news/charges-possible-for-woman-who-falsely-accused-dps-trooper-of-sex-assault-da-says/287-557630062 |access-date=May 24, 2018 |publisher=WFAA Dallas News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524030722/https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas-news/charges-possible-for-woman-who-falsely-accused-dps-trooper-of-sex-assault-da-says/287-557630062 |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author=Eltagouri, Marwa |title=She said she was sexually assaulted by a state trooper. His camera footage shows otherwise. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/05/23/she-said-she-was-raped-by-a-state-trooper-his-camera-footage-shows-otherwise/ |access-date=May 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524021442/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/05/23/she-said-she-was-raped-by-a-state-trooper-his-camera-footage-shows-otherwise/ |archive-date=May 24, 2018 |url-status=live}}

= Jazmine Barnes shooting =

On December 30, 2018, seven-year-old Jazmine Barnes was killed in a drive-by shooting in Houston at 7 am. On Twitter, King offered a $25,000 reward for information that could help identify the shooter. The reward eventually rose to $100,000 after other donors joined the cause, including S. Lee Merritt, an attorney advising Jazmine's family.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/02/us/texas-shooting-reward-lee-merritt-shaun-king/index.html |title=Attorney and activist offer reward in Texas drive-by shooting that killed 7-year-old |last=Simon |first=Darran |date=January 2, 2019 |publisher=CNN |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103040245/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/02/us/texas-shooting-reward-lee-merritt-shaun-king/index.html |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/01/us/texas-drive-by-shooting-mother/index.html |title='He intentionally killed my child for no reason,' says mother of 7-year-old killed in drive-by shooting |last=Simon |first=Darran |date=January 2, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103064210/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/01/us/texas-drive-by-shooting-mother/index.html |archive-date=January 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}

In a now-deleted tweet, King posted the mugshot of Robert Paul Cantrell, a white male, and identified him as being involved in the shooting. In the tweet, King stated, "We've had 20 people call or email us and say he is a racist, violent asshole and always has been. Just tell me everything you know." Police later said the man was not connected with the crime, and King deleted the tweet, though not until the man had received threats on social media.{{cite web |last=Willey |first=Jessica |date=January 8, 2019 |title=Family of wrongfully accused man receiving violent threats |url=https://abc13.com/5032056/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112150125/https://abc13.com/5032056/ |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |access-date=January 12, 2019 |website=ABC13 Houston |language=en}} Police credited King with providing a tip that helped lead them to suspect Eric Black Jr., who later admitted he was involved in the shooting.{{cite news |last=Brice-Saddler |first=Michael |date=January 6, 2019 |title=A family felt a black child's killing was a hate crime. An arrest gave police a 'new direction.' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/06/family-felt-black-childs-killing-was-hate-crime-an-arrest-gave-police-new-direction/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106225518/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/06/family-felt-black-childs-killing-was-hate-crime-an-arrest-gave-police-new-direction/ |archive-date=January 6, 2019 |access-date=January 6, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/06/us/texas-jazmine-barnes-shooting-investigation/index.html |title=Prosecutors name the second suspect in Jazmine Barnes' killing |last1=Yan |first1=Holly |last2=Silverman |first2=Hollie |date=January 7, 2019 |publisher=CNN |access-date=January 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107181149/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/06/us/texas-jazmine-barnes-shooting-investigation/index.html |archive-date=January 7, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Andone |first=Dakin |date=January 6, 2019 |title=A tip from activist Shaun King led police to a suspect in the killing of Jazmine Barnes |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/06/us/jazmine-barnes-shaun-king-tip/index.html |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112195053/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/06/us/jazmine-barnes-shaun-king-tip/index.html |url-status=live }}

The incident was revived in late July 2019 when Cantrell committed suicide in his jail cell, where he was being held on separate robbery and evasion charges. Just before he died, he allegedly told his lawyer that he was concerned about the death threats his family was still receiving in the aftermath of false claims of his involvement in Jazmine Barnes' murder.{{cite web |url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/inmate-wrongfully-accused-of-killing-jazmine-barnes-found-hanged-in-cell/285-29349c14-28c0-4aa8-9a17-5f73cff47795 |title=Inmate wrongfully accused of killing Jazmine Barnes found hanged in cell |date=July 30, 2019 |website=KHOU-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730173802/https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/inmate-wrongfully-accused-of-killing-jazmine-barnes-found-hanged-in-cell/285-29349c14-28c0-4aa8-9a17-5f73cff47795 |archive-date=July 30, 2019}}

=Fundraising activities and disputes=

King has repeatedly faced accusations from colleagues and fellow activists of raising money for unclear purposes, or overpromising results from fundraising. He has also faced calls of fiscal mismanagement, inattention to his projects, and "radical incompetence."

In March 2010, while still a pastor, he founded aHomeinHaiti.org as a subsidiary of Courageous Church and used eBay and Twitter to raise $1.5 million to send tents to Haiti after the country's devastating 2010 earthquake. Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria was a spokesperson for the campaign.Marcia Wade Talbert, [http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/tweets-for-good "Tweets for Good: Atlanta pastor transforms microphilanthropy with celebrity Twitter auctions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210204/http://www.blackenterprise.com/small-business/tweets-for-good/ |date=September 23, 2015 }}, BlackEnterprise.com, June 1, 2011. King's work for Haiti inspired him to launch TwitChange.com, a charity auction site. TwitChange held Twitter charity auctions on eBay, where celebrities offered to retweet winning bidders' tweets in exchange for support of a particular charity. One campaign raised funds to build an orphanage in Bonneau, Haiti.{{cite web |url=http://thegrio.com/2011/02/01/2011-shaun-king |title=TheGrio's 100: Shaun King, leveraging social media for greater good |work=theGrio |date=February 2011 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925104834/http://thegrio.com/2011/02/01/2011-shaun-king/ |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2013/03/28/shaun-king-brings-hopemob-to-crowdfunding |title=Shaun King Brings Hope(Mob) to Crowdfunding |author=Thorpe, Devin |work=Forbes |access-date=September 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107033405/https://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2013/03/28/shaun-king-brings-hopemob-to-crowdfunding |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/09/16/twitchange.haiti/index.html |title=Pay for celebs to tweet for you (and charity) |publisher=CNN |last=Gross |first=David |date=September 16, 2010 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151358/http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/09/16/twitchange.haiti/index.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703860104575507581416301748 |title=Celebrities Auction Tweets to Raise Money for Haitian Orphans |author=Audi, Tamara |date=September 23, 2010 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=March 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710135145/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703860104575507581416301748 |archive-date=July 10, 2017 |url-status=live}} In 2010, TwitChange won the Mashable Award for "Most Creative Social Good Campaign".{{cite web |url=http://mashable.com/2011/01/06/mashable-awards-2010-announcing-the-winners/ |title=Mashable Awards 2010: Announcing The Winners |first=Mashable |last=Team |website=Mashable |date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906015942/http://mashable.com/2011/01/06/mashable-awards-2010-announcing-the-winners/#eSsC5ISJU8kG |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.blackenterprise.com/b-e-exclusives/watch-twitchange-wins-mashable-award-for-social-good-at-ces/ |title=TwitChange wins Mashable Award for Social Good at CES - Black Enterprise |website=Black Enterprise |date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925070708/http://www.blackenterprise.com/b-e-exclusives/watch-twitchange-wins-mashable-award-for-social-good-at-ces/ |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}

In 2011, King asked for donations to him online to climb the Seven Summits, but abandoned the effort only a few days into training.

In 2012, King and web designer Chad Kellough founded HopeMob.org,{{cite web |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/08/hopemob-the-kickstarter-for-causes-relaunches-as-a-no-fee-fundraising-platform-open-to-all/ |first=Josh |last=Ong |title=HopeMob, the 'Kickstarter for causes', relaunches as a no-fee fundraising platform open to all |work=The Next Web |date=December 8, 2012 |access-date=June 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703221057/https://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/12/08/hopemob-the-kickstarter-for-causes-relaunches-as-a-no-fee-fundraising-platform-open-to-all/ |archive-date=July 3, 2018 |url-status=live}} a charity site that used voting to select a particular person's story and then raise money for that story until its goal was met. The money went to an organization which provided for the person's needs, not to the person individually. After one goal was met, the next story in line would then get funds raised.{{cite web |first=Amy |last=Neumann |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-neumann/flashmob-charity-_b_1700647.html |title=Social Good Stars: HopeMob's Shaun King |work=HuffPost |date=August 13, 2012 |access-date=August 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831212119/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-neumann/flashmob-charity-_b_1700647.html |archive-date=August 31, 2015 |url-status=live}} HopeMob initially raised funds to build their platform in January 2012 on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter. Their campaign raised about $125,000.{{cite web |url=http://upstart.bizjournals.com/entrepreneurs/hot-shots/2013/05/01/shaun-king-combines-charity.html?ana=lnk&page=all |first=Kent Jr. |last=Bernhard |title=Preach and testify! HopeMob combines charity, crowdfunding |work=Upstart Business Journal |date=May 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003191331/http://upstart.bizjournals.com/entrepreneurs/hot-shots/2013/05/01/shaun-king-combines-charity.html?ana=lnk&page=all |archive-date=October 3, 2015 |url-status=dead}}

King has also raised money for multiple causes incidents where the Black Lives Matter movement has been involved, including the shooting of Tamir Rice. Through the fund-raising website, YouCaring.com, King raised $60,000 for Rice's family after the 12-year-old Cleveland, Ohio resident was killed in 2014 by two city policemen{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqBqg43WN34 |title=Tamir Rice Shooting – Cleveland Police Dispatch Radio |date=November 24, 2014 |via=YouTube |access-date=August 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808140207/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqBqg43WN34 |archive-date=August 8, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Izadi |first1=Elahe |last2=Holley |first2=Peter |title=Video shows Cleveland officer shooting 12-year-old Tamir Rice within seconds |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/11/26/officials-release-video-names-in-fatal-police-shooting-of-12-year-old-cleveland-boy |access-date=November 26, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127030857/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/11/26/officials-release-video-names-in-fatal-police-shooting-of-12-year-old-cleveland-boy/ |archive-date=November 27, 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |author=McCarthy, Tom |location=New York |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/26/tamir-rice-video-shows-boy-shot-police-cleveland |title=Tamir Rice: video shows boy, 12, shot 'seconds' after police confronted child] |work=The Guardian |access-date=November 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141127091348/http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/26/tamir-rice-video-shows-boy-shot-police-cleveland |archive-date=November 27, 2014 |url-status=live}} After learning that Rice had not been buried as of five months after the shooting and that Rice's mother had moved into a homeless shelter, he started the fund to assist the Rice family.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/05/04/as-investigation-enters-fifth-month-tamir-rices-mother-has-moved-into-a-homeless-shelter |title=As investigation enters fifth month, Tamir Rice's mother has moved into a homeless shelter |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 4, 2015 |access-date=August 19, 2015 |author=Lowery, Wesley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821234315/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/05/04/as-investigation-enters-fifth-month-tamir-rices-mother-has-moved-into-a-homeless-shelter/ |archive-date=August 21, 2015 |url-status=live}} In May 2015, however, family attorney Timothy Kucharski stated that neither he nor the Rice family had heard of King or the fundraiser, and they had not received any money.{{cite web |url=http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/05/05/funds-raised-for-rice-family-get-caught-in-legal-morass-new-fundraising-effort-under-way |title=Funds Raised for Rice Family Get Caught in Legal Morass; New Fundraising Effort Under Way |work=Cleveland Scene |access-date=August 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908071940/http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2015/05/05/funds-raised-for-rice-family-get-caught-in-legal-morass-new-fundraising-effort-under-way |archive-date=September 8, 2015 |url-status=live}} The money raised was then seized by the court and placed into Tamir Rice's estate instead of being freely available to the family. In 2022, King was criticized for spending over $40,000 on a purebred mastiff guard dog using PAC money; King reportedly returned the dog later due to it having "too much energy." Rice's mother publicly called out King, saying "Personally I don't understand how you sleep at night."{{cite web |last1=Sheehan |first1=Kevin |title=Shaun King Under Fire After His PAC Paid $40K For Guard Dog |url=https://www.essence.com/news/shaun-king-guard-dog-purchase/ |website=Essense |date=August 2, 2022 |access-date=May 24, 2023}} King and the Rice family's new legal counsel, Benjamin Crump, then started a second charity drive with the proceeds going directly to the family. An additional $25,000 was raised.{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/@ShaunKing/a-complete-accounting-of-every-dollar-raised-by-shaun-king-throughout-the-black-lives-matter-fba726f6d8af#.ot7h89air |title=A complete accounting of every dollar raised by Shaun King throughout the Black Lives Matter Movement |author=King, Shaun |website=Medium.com |date=December 26, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227061029/https://medium.com/@ShaunKing/a-complete-accounting-of-every-dollar-raised-by-shaun-king-throughout-the-black-lives-matter-fba726f6d8af#.ot7h89air |archive-date=December 27, 2015 |url-status=live}}

King has been accused of raising funds for causes that were never received by those he was fundraising for, including at Justice Together after King abruptly closed the organization.{{cite web |last1=Sands |first1=Darren |title=Shaun King's Days As A Pastor Mirrored His Later Successes — And Failures — As An Activist |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/darrensands/shaun-kings-days-as-a-pastor-mirrored-his-later-successes-an |website=buzzfeednews.com |date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093740/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/darrensands/shaun-kings-days-as-a-pastor-mirrored-his-later-successes-an |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |url-status=live}} A former member of the organization who asked to have a donation returned said that King refused to refund her money.{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Feliks |title=The rise and fall of Shaun King, former Black Lives Matter darling |url=https://www.complex.com/life/2016/01/shaun-king-black-lives-matter/ |website=complex.com |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208051821/https://www.complex.com/life/2016/01/shaun-king-black-lives-matter/ |archive-date=February 8, 2019 |url-status=live}} An investigation by Goldie Taylor of The Daily Beast detailed a variety of questionable financial practices, such as discrepancies in reported amounts raised the Haiti relief project as well as King's personal income from short-lived crowdfunding venture HopeMob numbering almost 40% of the company's total revenue.{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Goldie |title=Where Did All the Money Shaun King Raised for Black Lives Go? |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/goldie-taylorwhere-did-all-the-money-shaun-king-raised-for-black-lives-go |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119220842/https://www.thedailybeast.com/goldie-taylorwhere-did-all-the-money-shaun-king-raised-for-black-lives-go |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |url-status=live}} Activists on Twitter questioned if he took the $100,000 reward money for information that led to the arrest of the men who shot Jazmine Barnes. On September 12, 2019, Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson wrote a lengthy article raising multiple concerns in regards to King, especially related to fundraising.{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/@deray/on-shaun-king-351bd812318c |title=On Shaun King |last=McKesson |first=DeRay |date=September 12, 2019 |website=Medium |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912233619/https://medium.com/@deray/on-shaun-king-351bd812318c |archive-date=September 12, 2019}}

King has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. On January 15, 2019, he tweeted that he was pursuing legal action against social justice activists on Twitter who questioned his previous fundraisers, and his attorneys later sent cease-and-desist letters.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/18/shaun-king-threatens-sue-activists-who-accused-him-twitter-mishandling-fundraisers/?noredirect=on |title=Shaun King threatens to sue activists who accused him on Twitter of mishandling fundraisers |last1=Flynn |first1=Meagan |date=January 18, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190204224306/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/18/shaun-king-threatens-sue-activists-who-accused-him-twitter-mishandling-fundraisers/?noredirect=on |archive-date=February 4, 2019 |url-status=live}} David Dennis Jr. wrote in NewsOne that the purpose of the cease-and-desist letters seemed to be "old-fashioned intimidation and forcible silencing".{{cite web |last1=Dennis Jr |first1=Davis |title=Shaun King Is Not Here For Us |url=https://newsone.com/3843714/shaun-king-clarissa-brooks-controversy/ |website=newsone.com |date=January 18, 2019 |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119220848/https://newsone.com/3843714/shaun-king-clarissa-brooks-controversy/ |archive-date=January 19, 2019 |url-status=live}} King wrote an editorial explaining the purpose of taking legal action and addressed some specific critiques levied against him.{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Shaun |title=Shaun King Addresses Damaging Rumors |url=https://blackamericaweb.com/2019/01/17/shaun-king-addresses-damaging-rumors/ |website=blackamericaweb.com |date=January 17, 2019 |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093842/https://blackamericaweb.com/2019/01/17/shaun-king-addresses-damaging-rumors/ |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |url-status=live}}

=Deleted Twitter post on depictions of Jesus=

In June 2020, King tweeted that statue, murals, and stained-glass windows depicting a white Jesus should be removed. "I think the statues of the white European they claim is Jesus should also come down," he tweeted. "They are a form of white supremacy. Always have been." King's comments quickly drew condemnation from some on Twitter, including several prominent conservative figures.{{cite news |last1=Slisco |first1=Aila |title=White Jesus Statues Should Be Torn Down, Black Lives Matters Leader Says |url=https://www.newsweek.com/white-jesus-statues-should-torn-down-black-lives-matters-leader-says-1512674 |access-date=June 22, 2020 |work=Newsweek |date=June 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623190735/https://www.newsweek.com/white-jesus-statues-should-torn-down-black-lives-matters-leader-says-1512674 |archive-date=June 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last1=Palma |first1=Bethania |title=Did Activist Shaun King Say 'White Jesus' Statues Should Come Down? |website=Snopes.com |date=June 24, 2020 |url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/shaun-king-jesus-statue/ |access-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201193951/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/shaun-king-jesus-statue/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Toone |first1=Stephanie |title=After comments about dismantling Jesus statues, Shaun King says he received death threats from 'white Christians' |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/shaun-king-says-monuments-images-jesus-should-come-down-because-they-are-form-white-supremacy/zlLNCWq1X0UVlHiZxjtDCJ/ |access-date=February 2, 2023 |publisher=The Atlantic Journal-Constitution |date=June 24, 2020 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202200935/https://www.ajc.com/news/shaun-king-says-monuments-images-jesus-should-come-down-because-they-are-form-white-supremacy/zlLNCWq1X0UVlHiZxjtDCJ/ |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last1=Magee |first1=Ny |title=Shaun King supports takedown of 'White Jesus' statues |journal=The Grio |date=June 22, 2020 |url=https://thegrio.com/2020/06/22/shaun-king-white-jesus/ |access-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216172616/https://thegrio.com/2020/06/22/shaun-king-white-jesus/ |url-status=live }} The tweet has since been deleted.

= Grassroots Law Project =

In 2020, King and Lee Merritt founded the Grassroots Law Project. In its first year, the organization raised over $6.5 million. More than $2.5 million went to the non-profit's most-publicized program, setting up unofficial Truth and Reconciliation Commissions in three American cities. However, after two years, none of the commissions appeared to be active or exist. In addition, according to The Daily Beast, the group faced scrutiny for the high compensation received by King (more than $250,000) and others. In addition, the organization's complex relationship with the Grassroots Law PAC raised questions about tax and regulatory arrangements.

=Claimed involvement in release of Israeli hostages by Hamas=

Following the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel, King posted on social media claiming that he had worked "behind the scenes" with Hamas and Qatar to help secure the release of two Israeli-American hostages: 17-year-old Natalie Raanan and her 59-year-old mother Judith Tai Raanan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/shaun-king-and-family-of-judith-and-natalie-raanan-clash-over-his-claims|title=Shaun King and Ex-Hostages' Family Clash Over His Claims|first=Shannon|last=Vavra|newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=October 22, 2023|via=thedailybeast.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/omg/article-769532|title=Did Shaun King help get American-Israeli hostages released from Gaza?|date=October 21, 2023|website=The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2023/10/21/shaun-king-claim-help-free-american-hostages-hamas-family-pushback/|title=Shaun King Insists He Helped Free U.S. Hostages, Despite Family Pushback|website=TMZ|date=October 21, 2023 }} The family of these hostages, however, said that King had "lied" and "fabricated his involvement."{{Cite web|url=https://katv.com/news/nation-world/blm-activist-shaun-king-accused-of-lying-about-behind-the-scenes-role-in-hamas-hostage-release-judith-tai-raanan-natalie-raanan-israel-palestine-gaza-terrorism-terrorist-invasion-middle-east-conflict-black-lives-matter|title=BLM activist Shaun King accused of 'lying' about 'behind the scenes' role in Hamas hostage release|first=JACKSON |last=WALKER |date=October 23, 2023|publisher=KATV}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/shaun-king-claims-instagram-banned-him-over-israel-gaza-posts|title=Shaun King Claims Instagram Banned Him Over Israel-Gaza Posts|newspaper=Daily Beast|date=December 26, 2023 |last1=Shugerman |first1=Emily }}

In December 2023, King's account on Instagram was deactivated by Meta, which he claimed was due to his pro-Palestinian posts during the Gaza war.

Politics

King left the Democratic Party after the 2016 election, alleging corruption and lack of neutrality during the 2016 primaries.{{cite news |first=Shaun |last=King |title=Here's why I'm leaving the Democratic Party after this presidential election and you should too |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/king-leaving-democratic-party-article-1.2644307 |work=Daily News|location=New York |date=May 20, 2016 |access-date=November 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018204221/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/king-leaving-democratic-party-article-1.2644307 |archive-date=October 18, 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.vox.com/2016/5/26/11778158/shaun-king-democratic-party |title=Shaun King explains why he thinks the Democratic Party can't be saved |last=Rensin |first=Emmett |website=vox.com |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108091851/http://www.vox.com/2016/5/26/11778158/shaun-king-democratic-party |url-status=live }} In 2018, Shaun King expressed disdain for Kamala Harris and said he did not intend to support her or Joe Biden in the 2020 Democratic primaries due to their positions on criminal justice. He later changed his view as he said her stance has changed, tweeting, "I am incredibly proud to see a brilliant Black woman, and HBCU grad, chosen as a Vice Presidential nominee."{{cite news|url=https://www.newsweek.com/activist-shaun-king-explains-changed-mind-kamala-harris-vice-president-2020-election-1524509|title=Shaun King Explains Why He Changed His Mind About Kamala Harris|author=Bremner, Jade|work=Newsweek|date=August 12, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812174738/https://www.newsweek.com/activist-shaun-king-explains-changed-mind-kamala-harris-vice-president-2020-election-1524509|url-status=live}}

Personal life

King is married and has five children; three of his children were conceived with his wife and two were adopted. He also has had foster children, nieces, and nephews living with him.{{cite web |url=http://fusion.net/story/190795/shaun-king-talks-race-police-black-lives-matter/ |title=Shaun King doesn't care what race you think he is |first=Sujay |last=Kumar |work=Fusion Magazine |date=August 31, 2013 |access-date=June 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161120073216/http://fusion.net/story/190795/shaun-king-talks-race-police-black-lives-matter/ |archive-date=November 20, 2016 |url-status=live}} In March 2024, on the eve of Ramadan, King and his wife Rai King formally converted to Islam from Christianity in the presence of Palestinian-American imam Omar Suleiman.{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2024 |title=Did Shaun King convert to Islam? |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/did-shaun-king-convert-islam |work=The New Arab}}