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Politics & World • Activist

Shaun King

Shaun King is an American writer, activist, and entrepreneur known for his work on racial justice and police brutality issues in the United States.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Shaun King is an American writer, activist, and entrepreneur known for his work on racial justice and police brutality issues in the United States. He has written for outlets including Daily Kos, the New York Daily News, and The Intercept, and co-founded several advocacy and media projects.

Career

King worked as a writer and commentator for several media outlets, including Daily Kos and the New York Daily News. He later expanded into activism, fundraising, and online campaigning around criminal justice and racial justice issues.

Advocacy and organisations

King co-founded Real Justice PAC in 2018, launched The North Star in 2019, and later co-founded the Grassroots Law Project in 2020. These projects focus on political organising, media, and legal reform efforts.

Public profile

King became widely known through social media activism, especially in discussions of police violence and racial injustice. His visibility has also made him a polarising public figure, with supporters and critics disputing aspects of his work and public claims.

Key facts

  • King has contributed as a writer to Daily Kos, the New York Daily News, and The Young Turks.
  • He co-founded Real Justice PAC in 2018.
  • He launched The North Star in 2019.
  • He co-founded the Grassroots Law Project in 2020.
  • He is widely associated with advocacy around police brutality and racial justice.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Shaun King?
Shaun King is an American writer and activist known for work on racial justice, police brutality, and criminal justice reform.
What is Shaun King known for?
He is known for social media activism and for co-founding advocacy projects such as Real Justice PAC and the Grassroots Law Project.
What publications has Shaun King written for?
He has contributed to Daily Kos, the New York Daily News, and The Young Turks.
When was Shaun King born?
He was born on September 17, 1979.
What is The North Star?
The North Star is a media platform launched by King in 2019.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_King
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, occupations, and career details including writing outlets and founded organisations.
  2. The New School — https://event.newschool.edu/make-change-with-shaun-king
    Supports: Describes King as an activist, author, and journalist, and notes his roles with Real Justice PAC and The North Star.
  3. Howard University — https://chapel.howard.edu/node/1006
    Supports: Describes King as a journalist, humanitarian, and activist and mentions his role as a columnist and writer-in-residence.