Date of Birth: November 21, 1956
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Biography
Chaka Fattah is a former American politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania’s 2nd congressional district. Born Arthur Davenport on November 21, 1956, he later changed his name to Chaka Fattah. He grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Overbrook High School. Fattah pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and later earned a Master’s degree in Government Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government. Fattah’s political career began in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served from 1983 to 1988. He then moved to the Pennsylvania State Senate, serving from 1988 to 1994. His successful career in state politics paved the way for his election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1995. Fattah served in Congress until 2016, focusing on issues such as education, healthcare, and economic development. Fattah’s career was marred by legal troubles towards the end of his tenure. In 2016, he was convicted on federal corruption charges, including racketeering, fraud, and money laundering, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Despite his legal issues, Fattah’s contributions to policy, particularly in education, are noteworthy.
5 Interesting Facts about Chaka Fattah
1. Chaka Fattah was the first African American to be elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate.
2. He founded the Fattah Neuroscience Initiative, aimed at advancing research in brain science and education.
3. Fattah was instrumental in creating the GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) initiative, which has helped millions of low-income students prepare for college.
4. He changed his name from Arthur Davenport to Chaka Fattah, which means “great conqueror” in Swahili and Arabic.
5. Fattah was convicted on 23 counts of federal corruption charges in 2016, leading to his resignation from Congress.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Chaka Fattah
1. “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
2. “Our investment in education pays the greatest dividends.”
3. “We must ensure that every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to succeed.”
4. “Public service is a trust, and it’s an honor to serve the people.”
5. “Innovation in science and technology will drive the future of our nation.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Chaka Fattah’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Chaka Fattah has four children: 1. Frances (“Fran”) Fattah 2. Chaka Fattah Jr. (also known as “Chip”) 3. Cameron Fattah 4. Chandler Fattah
Relevant Links
1. [Chaka Fattah – Biography on Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Chaka_Fattah
2. [Chaka Fattah’s Profile on House.gov](https://www.house.gov/representatives/chaka-fattah
4. [GEAR UP Program](https://www2.ed.gov/programs/gearup/index.html
