Destination Newark Winter 2018

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

When the opportunity arose to showcase Whitney Houston as our cover subject, I was very excited to be able to push a yes! Whitney’s strong Newark roots and cultural influence are undeniable, and it was amazing for the Prudential Center’s GRAMMY Experience to work with her family and bring an exhibit to life right here in her hometown (pg. 33). Catch the exhibit before it leaves in June.

Newark continues to be a consistent birthplace for entertainers such as the young Leah Jenea whom we feature as our Youth Spotlight (pg 13). We also feature other stars who hail from Newark and continue to give back to Newark’s community. We spotlight a few in “To the Stars and Back,” including Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Michael B. Jordan, and Griselle Ponce (pg. 26).

We also take a look at the rise of Newark’s film industry over the past five years and the city’s history as a destination for film sets, award shows and TV productions. Read about the economic impact of the upcoming Joker movie choosing Broad Street in Newark as the backdrop for Gotham City in “Newark - The New Hollywood” on page 18.

Michael B. Jordan

We also continue our “G” Word: Gentrification Watch coverage. Read Part 2 of the series on page 28 to get an insider’s perspective on what the changing face of Newark means to existing residents.

Sincerely, Managing Editor

PUBLISHER

Sakina Spruell Cole scole@colemediainc.com

EDITORIAL

Arrie Ledley

Managing Editor alledley@colemediainc.com

Sonja Mack Editor

Tiffany Bynes Writer

Rose Driscoll Writer

LaToya Harris Writer Hassaan Abdus-salaam

Editorial Assistant

ART

Mary A. Brown

Creative Director mbrown@colemediainc.com

Shay Lenora Designer

Nina Cochran Designer

EDITORIAL PARTNERS

Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC)

City of Newark Newark Beth Israel Medical Center New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)

Prudential Center

ADVERTISING advertising@colemediainc.com

contact

COVER PHOTO: GRAMMY MUSEUM EXPERIENCE

GRAMMY

ASK THE MAYOR

Dorian c. Bernard @dorian_c._bernard

Is there affordable housing in a safe neighborhood in Newark for artists like myself? I’m struggling to find a safe spot.

Mayor Baraka: There is artist housing being developed now and there will be more as we go. Right now we’re developing artist housing at 505 Clinton Avenue. Prayerfully, it should be completed by spring 2019. It’s right across the street from the precinct. We are building a training academy across the street as well. And we just opened a park there. So there’s a lot of work happening at Clinton Avenue [to keep it safe]. And we’ll be working on artist housing in the downtown area soon as well.

Downtown Newark is going through a revitalization, which we are excited about. However, residents that live outside of downtown, such as the lower Vailsburg area where I live, feel a little left out. Any development plans for those of us that live in the “suburbs” of Newark?

Mayor Baraka: “Suburbs” of Newark (LOL)?... We are in the process of developing several areas outside of the immediate downtown area. There is stuff happening in the Fairmount area right now with the Urban League of Essex County, which is in the lower Vailsburg community. There are development projects happening in the number blocks in lower Vailsburg, and that work is being done by small or midsize minority developers in the city. There’s also development that is going to happen across from Westside High School.

at-risk youth through an art program. Does the Mayor know of any programs or ways to start?

Hi, I’m an artist therapist with 9+ years working in the mental health population. I started out at Newark Beth Israel years ago, and I’m interested in working with Newark’s homeless or

Mayor Baraka: Yes, there are a few ways. You can work at the Shani Baraka Center offering art therapy for victims of domestic violence, as well as talking to some of the young people that come through its doors. You may also want to contact Shakira McKnight in our Youth Ambassador Office in City Hall to develop an art therapy program around mentoring and developing leadership training for Newark’s youth.

Mayor Ras Baraka answers questions about arts and culture in Newark.

Mrs. Torres @gypsybutterfly13

MAYOR RAS J. BARAKA @n.digz

NEIGHBORHOOD Family AroundFunTown

NORTH SECTION OF TOWN

Groovy Tots: Branch Brook Branch

If you have young children (ages 3-6), the Newark Public Library—Branch Brook Branch is hosting an introductory class on ballet, Hip-Hop, and more. This program is open to the public. Classes will be held on Feb 23, Mar 30, and April 20.

WEST SECTION OF TOWN

Books on the Move with NJPAC: Vailsburg Branch

SOUTH SECTION OF TOWN

Jazz in the Stacks: Clinton Branch

The Newark Public Library is partnering with NJPAC and taking their Jazz for Teens program on a concert tour. The program is free and no registration is required. So come down to the Clinton branch on Feb 13, and listen to the beautiful sounds of jazz.

NJPAC artist Wincey Terry is giving a free reading of the book Mambo King, the inspiring true story of The King of Latin Music Tito Puente and his road from Spanish Harlem to the Grammy Awards. This is a bilingual program with role-playing, arts and crafts, and dancing. The event is open to all and the first 25 families will receive a free book. Visit njpac.org for the complete schedule.

EAST SECTION OF TOWN Rhythm and Rhyme Storytime: Van Buren Branch Library

The Van Buren branch of the Newark Public Library is hosting an event called Rhythm and Rhyme Storytime. Instructed by Claudia Lemmerz, participants will discuss where music comes from, how it affects their lives, and what people like about it. There will also be an eclectic range of musical instruments to try out. This event is open to all ages so bring the family. Classes will be held Feb 2, Mar 2, and Mar 30.

Visit NPL.org for more info about any of these events.

Beyond the Library

CENTRAL WARD

Script to Screen: Express Newark Newark Youth One Stop is hosting a program called Script to Screen. Instructed by Nichole Donnell, students will learn the process of turning a script into a film using digital devices. This program is open to Newark high school students interested in vlogging, filmmaking and producing.

Visit Expressnewark.com for more information.

—Hassaan Abdus-salaam

—LaToya Harris

Is Your Situation Making You Sick? A

pparently there is a correlation between how healthy people are and the conditions in which they live, according to recent studies. These environmental conditions, or social determinants, include things like economic stability, education , access to healthy food , affordable housing , and safe living environments

To address the issue in Newark and throughout New Jersey, RWJBarnabas Health recently established

Doctor’s Orders

a team, the Social Impact and Community Investment Department (SICI), which will work to minimize health disparities based on environmental factors.

“We recognize that there are certain socially constructed barriers impacting the health outcomes of the families we aim to serve,” says Michellene ­Davis, Esq., EVP and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for RWJBH, who leads SICI.

“We aim to be both in and of these communities by co-designing long term sustainable solutions through a collective impact model,” says Davis.

—Sonja Mack

1.2 MILLION NEW JERSEY HOUSEHOLDS

Cannot afford the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care and transportation.

Source: United Way of Northern New Jersey 2018 ALICE Report, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

—Reporting Sonja Mack

LIFESTYLE Tour Newark’s Public Art

Newark’s world of visual art, be it drawing, filmmaking, painting, crafts, photography, wearable art, printmaking, architecture, or sculpture had beginnings long before recent generations were born in or migrated to the Gateway City in the Garden State. And the traditional discipline of fine art is ever present.

FOUNTAIN OF KNOWLEDGE

If you visit the Newark Public Library at 5 Washington Street and make your way to the second floor outside Centennial Hall, you will see the “Fountain of Knowledge” mural painted in 1929 by Russian implant to Newark Ives Gammell. It’s a large triptych with the Greek mythological god Apollo surrounded by the nine muses. Visit, take a look, and see who is draped in a Greek robe.

THE GLITTER & THE GOLD

Did you know that the name Newark and jewelry were once synonymous? Beginning in the early 1800s and during the industry’s height between 1890 and 1910, jewelry making (wearable art) was considered Newark’s third most important industry. Great local artists created beautiful pieces. “The world of fine and costume jewelry and precious metals flashed across the Newark manufacturing sky until the closing of Krementz & Co,” said Newark historian Charles Cummings in an October 11, 2001 article in The Star Ledger.

You can find an array of wonderful precious and semiprecious stones and jewelry at the Newark Museum. Or you can read The Glitter and The Gold, Fashioning America’s Jewelry, by retiring museum co-director, Ulysses Grant Dietz.

“Fountain of Knowledge” by Ives Gammell, located on the second floor of the Newark Public Library

Courtesy of Newark Public Library

THE WORK OF MICHAEL LENSON

Located downtown, between the old Krementz & Co building and the Newark Museum, you will find Newark City Hall at 920 Broad Street. There you will find eight large panel murals produced by lead Realist painter Michael Lenson, part of the fantastic Works Progress Administration (WPA)/Federal Art Project. The eight panels are in the Municipal Council Chamber on the upper walls on the second floor.

Newark City Clerk Kenneth Louis shared with me that the panels describe the colonial founding as well as the rise of the modern city of Newark. The topics of the panels, called “History of Newark,” include Newark’s original land purchase from the Lenapi Native Americans, the 1710 tax revolt against absentee landlords, the emergence of industrial Newark, the growth of Newark’s leather and malleable iron industries, the building of the Morris Canal, the manufacture of the steam locomotive, and the corresponding emergence of modern Newark.

I invite you to visit Newark City Hall and the Municipal Chamber. Lenson was called New Jersey’s most important muralist. You

can also find Lenson’s “History of the Enlightenment of Man” at Weequahic High School at 279 Chancellor Avenue, and “The Four Freedoms” at Fourteenth Avenue School at 186 14th Avenue.

Honoring Art Hero Jerry Gant

Facebook.com/jerry.gant.16

Yesterday and today, Newark’s visual art scene is ever evolving, always unique, and infinitely relevant. I invite you to join us and be a part of our realness.

—Gwen Moten

Iam often asked, Is talent a natural gift or is it taught? I respond by saying that talent is ‘expressed creativity.’ Whether you possess it naturally, or it’s learned, or it’s a combination of the two, you can have a creative spirit that is simply enriched by its source. Subsequently, both natural or taught talents can have equal outcomes and are equally meaningful.

Newark spawned a great natural and learned talent known as Jerry Gant. He was a skillful, prolific artist who expressed his creativity in many styles and forms: wire, glass, wood, textiles, leaves, light, metals, paper, vinyl, sculpture, trash, snow, inks, murals, performing arts, clothing design, education, activism, and words, to name a few. How could one not know him or at least know of his work in Newark when you see the 13 structures installed at Nat Turner Park, the public art at the Fairmount Art Wall, the railings outside Newark Penn Station, the international collections at Rutgers University-Newark and the Newark Public Library? You might just travel throughout Newark and notice that he has the largest contemporary public art sculptures across the city. And if you travel a little farther, you’ll see his works in New York City, Boston and London.

Yes, Jerry Gant is another great gift to all of us who was spawned from a great city and who left us an abundance of artistic love.

Gwen Moten is a former White House-appointed American Cultural Specialist and served as a U.S. cultural attaché. She is presently the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Cultural Development and Tourism for the City of Newark.

“History of the Enlightenment of Man” by Michael Lensen, located in Weequahic High School.

—Gwen Moten

Steve Weintraub

Newark’s Princess of Soul

Newark native, singer, and finalist on The Four: Battle for Stardom on FOX, Leah Jenea James has been nicknamed Brick City’s Princess of Soul. After attending a Newark City Hall camp at the age of eight, James realized she wanted to sing. She originally attended the camp for dance but soon realized her love for singing after a solo performance of “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston.

Growing up, James’ favorite singers included Jill Scott, Amy Winehouse, and Chrisette Michele. She was also inspired by the skills of Newark’s very own songwriters, Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill. In 2017, she released her EP, Life W.T.R., on which she wrote every song.

This year, James made Newark proud when she became a contestant and finalist on The Four TV show. While in the process of preparing for prom, graduation, and college, a friend made her aware of an opportunity to audition for the show. She was also preparing to do a concert with singer Musiq, a.k.a. Musiq Soulchild. When asked how it felt to be on The Four, the 18-year-old said it hadn’t registered yet. “There’s still a part of me that’s just like, ‘Wow, that really happened!’” she said.

When it comes to her hometown, James loves Newark’s arts and entertainment scene. “I go to a lot of open mics around here, a lot of art exhibits. And, also, just walking around Newark and seeing the murals. That really always makes my day because it feels like they’re always changing up.” James said.

In November, James was signed to Cinematic Music Group. She expects to release her next album, Leah Meets Nina, in 2019. It will include approximately six

Name: Leah Jenea James

Age: 18

Hometown: Newark, NJ

School: Alumnus of Newark Collegiate Academy, Newark School of the Arts, Alfred Gallman’s Newark Dance Theater

songs and be a mixture of her vocals and Nina Simone’s vocals. When asked if she had any advice for aspiring entertainers, the singer said to be true to you. “Just continue being the same you that you were when you first started. You’re going to see a lot of things and go through a lot of things, but if you stay true to yourself and stay honest with yourself, everything will come very easily.”

—By LaToya Harris

Courtesy Leah Jenea James

Entertaining Alumni

NASEED GIFTED

Engineer, instructor and Malcolm X Shabazz High School principal, Naseed Gifted graduated from NJIT with a bachelor’s degree in 2001. He also has a master’s degree from Saint Peter’s College. Prior to Malcolm X Shabazz High School, Gifted taught STEM subjects at Central High School, including robotics, and was also the school’s vice principal.

Gifted is the creator of a STEM comic book series called P.B. Soldier about an African-American character named Nat Cummings who ends up on an international terror watch list after using his ability to hack computers to attend college. Gifted is also the founder of the Khem Comic Book Fest.

TRACEY SCOTT WILSON

Rutgers University-Newark

Playwright, writer, and producer, Tracey Scott Wilson graduated in 1989 from Rutgers University-Newark with a bachelor’s degree in English. She went on to earn her master’s degree in English from Temple University. Wilson is an accomplished playwright and producer who has won many awards, including a 2004 Whiting Award, which recognizes emerging writers in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and plays.

In 2013, Wilson wrote an episode for the NBC TV show Do No Harm. She also wrote and produced for the FX show The Americans. In 2017, the show’s writers won a Writer’s Guild Award for the category of “Dramatic Series.” Wilson was among the awardees.

ADRIANA BOSCH

Rutgers University-Newark

Filmmaker Adriana Bosch graduated from Rutgers University-Newark with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1977. She was a producer, writer, and director for WGBH from 1983 to 2004. In 2000, she released the book Reagan: An American Story. Bosch produced several works, including the series Latino Americans in 2013 and episodes for the PBS TV series American Experience.

In 2013, Bosch won a Peabody Award for Latino Americans. She is also the recipient of several other awards, including a Christopher Award for producers, directors, and writers of books, films, and television specials that “affirm the highest values of the human spirit”, and an Emmy Award. dN

—LaToya Harris

New Jersey Institute of Technology

TECHNOLOGY

Courtesy of Anthony Frasier

Native Newarker and award-winning tech entrepreneur Anthony Frasier did not have it all figured out when he started his journey in the tech space. In fact, his passion wasn’t actualized until he dropped out of E ssex County Community College.

It was then he decided to start a business. Using his childhood passion for video games as a guide, Frasier pulled from his experiences as an intern at a web development firm and his coalition of techie friends to create a site of his own— TheKoalition.com

The Koalition is a gaming website that provides a platform for gamers from all different backgrounds and countries, and engages them through blog posts, video game reviews, game platforms, Hip-Hop mixtapes and more. The site went on to win the 2009 Black Weblog Award for the best technology site/blog.

From there, Frasier went on to Silicon Valley to excel in technology by graduating from the NewMe Accelerator, class of

2011. He shared his experience in the CNN documentary Black in America: The New Promise Land - Silicon Valley

In 2012, Frasier and co-founder James Lopez started The Phat Startup, a media content platform that provides knowledge and insight for up-and-coming entrepreneurs through interviews, events, and conferences. They also went on to host Hip-Hop-themed tech conferences called Tech 808 events for aspiring entrepreneurs in music technology. Tech 808 sold out 15 events in NYC and held two conferences in Newark, Oakland, and Atlanta.

Frasier retired The Phat Startup in 2015 to focus on personal pursuits in his

hometown of Newark. His reasoning, “In Newark, we’re doing the work. I like being around people who are willing to get their hands dirty and get the work done.”

Frasier now sits on the advisory board of Newark Venture Partners (NVP), a venture fund and tech accelerator that invests up to $1 million in emerging technology entrepreneurs based in Newark. The fund was founded by Newark-based Audible CEO Don Katz in 2015.

Fraiser’s latest endeavor is ABF Creative, a company that produces branded podcasts for Fortune 500 companies, to make sure “big brands are talking to multicultural audiences the right way,” he says. “We’re creating our own boardroom. We’re taking control of the narrative. And Newark’s voice is trending,” Frasier added, referring to the presence of the VOICE Tech Summit that was held at NJIT in Summer 2018. “My long-term goal is to help make Newark a capital for voice technology.”

—Rose Driscoll and Hassaan Abdus-salaam

TheKoalition.com

Low Battery? Need to Make a Call? No Problem

Forty-five LinkNWK kiosks are now up and running across the city. In combination with superfast Newark Fiber, the kiosks provide maps and directions throughout the city, display municipal information, and even make phone calls. The kiosks include charging stations for phones and other devices.

Staying on the cutting edge of tech, ­Newark is the fourth city in the world to offer these kiosks. The other three cities—New York, Philadelphia, and one city in the United Kingdom—have already seen millions in generated revenue and opportunities for employment.

“What you’re seeing is a futuristic, visible manifestation of the city’s tech infrastructure on our streets and in your neighborhood,” said Mayor Ras Baraka. —Rose Driscoll

VOICE Tech Conference Returns for a Consecutive Year

Newark’s growing tech scene is booming. VOICE, the ground-breaking voice tech conference, announced that it is returning to Newark’s New Jersey Institute of Technology, July 22-26, 2019. This year’s conference is expected to draw 5,000 attendees. Visit voicesummit.ai for more information. dN

NEWARK TECH WEEK

Last fall, Newark Tech Week held its 3rd annual tech summit. This is an annual four-day event for tech-based businesses that takes place at various venues throughout downtown Newark. Last year’s event highlighted diversity in the FinTech sector. Newark Tech Week’s goal is to continue to position Newark as an established and growing tech hub. Look out for more info about this year’s upcoming conference.

—Hassaan Abdus- salaam

Mayor Ras Baraka (center) checks out one of the new LinkNWK kiosks.

VOICE 2018 attracted international attendees.

NEWARK—THE NEW HOLLYWOOD

By

Christmas

2019, millions of anticipated filmgoers will be viewing Broad and Market Streets in Newark, New Jersey, as the 1970s set of the fictional Gotham City, home of DC Comics characters Batman and The Joker.

by Tiffany Bynes

Joaquin Phoenix captured in full costume on the streets of Newark.

Behind the scenes as sections of downtown Newark were transformed into 1970s Gotham City.

ewark was also the host city of the movie set of the 2010 Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises . In the fall of 2018, movie producers returned to Newark with a budget of about $55 million for the taping of the highly anticipated Joker movie, which follows the journey of the infamous DC Comics villain—played this time by Joaquin Phoenix— from a failed comedian to a life of crime.

For the movie, downtown Newark was made to look like it was the late 1970s with signs reading “Live Nude Girls,” “Strip Search Featuring the Finest Adult Stars,” and “Kenny’s Music Shop.” The set was designed to portray a grim, seedy part of Gotham City with piles of mock garbage; wet streets; smoke; and dark, muted colored wardrobe selections for the actors.

“When a set comes to the city, it brings dollars to businesses, jobs for residents, and notoriety to the city. It just gives the city a whole different color. It’s important to have a thriving film industry because there are a lot of benefits. Some of it can be measured materially, but some is immeasurable,” says Mayor Ras Baraka

Another testament to the growing interest filmmakers are taking in Newark is the Newark International Film Festival, which recently celebrated three consecutive years of bringing over 100 independent films from over 50 countries. This year’s three-day festival was packed with film premieres, celebrity master classes, and celebrity Q&A panels. Lance Gross served as the event’s celebrity ambassador.

In 2018 New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy restored the New Jersey Film and TV Tax Credit, approving a program that credits production companies $75 million per fiscal year for film and television projects. In order to be eligible for the 30% tax credit, production companies must spend a minimum of one million dollars or 60% of the total production budget in New Jersey. This credit had previously been suspended by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Since the reinstatement of the Film and TV Tax Credit, shows like NBC’s The Enemy Within and the return of MTV’s Jersey Shore have filmed in Newark. “There are a lot more productions coming in but we just can’t talk about them yet,” shared David Schoner Jr., associate director of the New Jersey Motion Picture and TV Commission.

Over the past five years, Newark’s film industry has been on a steady rise, attracting other TV productions, including Spike TV’s Ink Master and BET’s Black Girls Rock awards show.

When a set comes to the city, it brings dollars to businesses, jobs for residents, and notoriety to the city. It just gives the city a whole different color.

—Mayor Ras Baraka

Mayor Ras Baraka with Director Todd Phillips

WORKING

ON SET

As if the excitement of the production trucks and camera cranes were not enough, another big win for Newark is jobs and experience for those who make up the city’s robust arts community.

The Joker movie held open casting calls for extras and many of the production assistants were residents and natives of Newark.

That Was Shot in Newark

Production Assistant Diamond Davis heard through a Tweet that Warner Brothers was seeking Newark residents to work on the set of a major motion picture. “It means a lot to me to be able to work on something so big in my own community,” Davis remarked. “I think it’s amazing that Newark is being put on the map in such a great way, letting Hollywood know that there is so much more to our communities.”

100% Fresh

2018

Check out the Prudential Hall inside Newark’s very own New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in scenes from Adam Sandler’s Netflix special 100% Fresh. Sandler, the successful actor who has starred in iconic movies such as The Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, and Grown Ups, decided to return to his stand-up comedy roots by performing at different venues around the country in major cities like Los Angeles, New York City, Newark, and others. Produced by Irwin Entertainment and directed by Steven Brill, 100% Fresh showcases different acts of his nationwide stand-up tour.

Newark native Malcolm Rolling worked on the set of the Joker movie as a scenic artist, creating a mural that reflects late 1970s street art. He also did background graffiti work in most of the major scenes of the film. “Having the movie industry here allows us to have access to more professional-level opportunities. Speaking on Newark, specifically, it’s another opportunity to show the talent level here, reminding our neighboring major cities that we have amazing artists and arts culture,” says Malcolm.

—Tiffany Bynes

Black Girls Rock

Annually

Filmed in NJPAC since 2015, Black Girls Rock is an annual awards show that celebrates Black women in fields ranging from technology to music. Last year’s show was hosted by Newark native Queen Latifah. Be sure to keep an eye out for 2019’s awards show.

Gimme Shelter

October 2013

With scenes shot in downtown Newark, Gimme Shelter is a Roadside Attractions film directed by Ronald Krauss. The movie stars Vanessa Hudgens as the protagonist Agnes “Apple” who plays a teen living on the street. James Earl Jones also stars in the film.

War of The Worlds

July 2005

With shots that feature the intersection of Ferry Street, Merchant Street and Wilson Avenue in the Ironbound section of Newark, War of the Worlds is a Steven Spielberg sci-fi movie starring Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, and Justin Chatwin, with narration by Morgan Freeman. It is loosely based on the 1898 novel of the same title by H.G. Wells and tells the story of a dockworker living in New Jersey, attempting to get his kids back to their mother during an alien invasion.

The Dark Knight Rises

July 2012

This Batman sequel was shot in several locations around the world with a few notable scenes shot at Newark’s City Hall. This predecessor to the Joker movie was the first to transform Newark into Gotham City. The Dark Knight Rises was directed by Christopher Nolan and starred Christian Bale as the ever-brooding Batman.

The Sopranos

January 1999 - June 2007

The Sopranos is an American crime drama that revolves around fictional New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano. The series had six strong seasons and earned a Primetime Emmy Award and a Peabody Award, and several of the cast members won Emmys for their acting. Several of the series’ episodes featured shots of Newark.

Ink Master

2012-Present

Filmed in the Ironbound section of Newark at the Ironbound Studios, Ink Master is a reality tattoo competition that airs on Paramount Network. It’s a show where contestants compete for a $100,000 prize in head-to-head competition to see who can produce the best tattoo.

—Hassaan Abdus-salaam

TO THE STARS

These TV and movie stars started

WHITNEY HOUSTON

Because of Whitney Houston’s generous donations to UMDNJ’s University Hospital (now the Rutgers University Medical School) in Newark, the school named its Pediatric Special Care Unit after her. And the singer’s elementary school in East Orange, New Jersey, was renamed the Whitney Houston Academy of Creative and Performing Arts.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born on August 9, 1963 in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in East Orange, New Jersey. She is most famous for Billboard hits like “Saving All My Love for You,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” and “I Will Always LoveYou.” Her most famous movie roles include Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard and Savannah Jackson in Waiting to Exhale

During Houston’s early life, she was immersed in music. Her background in gospel helped lead her down the path to stardom. She sang in the choir of the New Hope Baptist Church, which was led by her mother, Cissy Houston, a renowned soul and gospel singer herself.

MICHAEL B. JORDAN

In early 2018 Michael B. Jordan hosted a private screening of his box office smash hit Black Panther at his alma mater, Newark Arts High School.

The 31 year-old actor was raised in Newark. He is noted for his role as the villain Erik Killmonger in the successful Marvel film Black Panther and for his role as Adonis Creed in the Rocky sequels Creed 1 and Creed 2

Jordan attended Newark Arts High School where he studied drama. Early in his career he worked as a child model, then officially started his acting career in 1999, appearing on television shows such as The Cosby Show and The Sopranos. His first primary role in film was in the 2001 movie Hardball, where he played Jamal.

COURTESY MARVEL STUDIOS

AND BACK

out in Newark and keep coming back QUEEN LATIFAH

Dana Elaine Owens, aka Queen Latifah visited Newark in 2015 to celebrate Mayor Ras Baraka’s birthday who she grew up with in Newark.

SAVION GLOVER

Savion Glover still resides in Newark and has contributed tremendously to the growth and support of the city’s art scene. In 2009, Savion Glover opened HooFerzClub School of Tap in Newark’s Central Ward

Glover is a tap dancer, actor, choreographer and entrepreneur who has trained and performed with tap dance legends Sammy Davis Jr. and Gregory Hines. His exceptional skills can be seen in the box office smash Happy Feet and Happy Feet 2, performed by animated character Mumble. Glover has also choreographed and acted in movies such as Jelly’s Last Jam and Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk.

Owens is a Newark-born musician, actress and entrepreneur. Owens released her first studio album in 1989 titled All Hail to the Queen , which sold more than one million copies. In the 1990s she continued to make music while also making a transition into television, starring as Kadijah James on Fox network sitcom Living Single Owens has appeared in over 60 films and television series’, hosted her own talk show, and founded Flavor Unit Entertainment.

Recently, she starred in the box office smash Girls Trip and is currently portraying Carlotta Brown on the Fox Network drama series Star

COURTESY OF SAVION GLOVER

Darnell “J.D.” WILLIAMS

Newark native Darnell “J.D.” Williams is an actor best known for his roles as Kenny Wangler in the HBO series Oz, Brodie Broadus in the HBO series The Wire, and Froggy in the Paramount Pictures film Pootie Tang. With over 20 years of experience, Williams has worked on various television shows, movies, and commercials. At press time, he was starring on the Bounce TV soap opera Saints & Sinners playing Jabari Morris.

Williams attended Newark Arts High School and, in 2015, returned to Newark to offer free acting coaching workshops to the youth, working in conjunction with Mayor Ras Baraka, the City of Newark Municipal Council, and the Newark Youth One-Stop Career Center.

TOBIAS TRUVILLION & MICHELE MORGANTRUVILLION

Husband and wife team Tobias Truvillion and Michele Morgan-Truvillion are accomplished veterans in the film and television industry. This power couple resides in Newark and is very involved in the city’s arts community.

A former rapper signed to Def Jam Records, Michele recently did voiceover work for a new animated series produced by comedian Kevin Hart. Michele started out in the Spike Lee film New Jersey Drive and later became the voice of

COURTESY OF GRISELLE PONCE

character Juicy in Eddie Murphy’s animated series The PJs

Currently, Michele is serving as the senior community relations specialist in Mayor Ras Baraka’s office at Newark City Hall and was instrumental in the coordination of the filming of the Joker movie, which began in October 2018.

Husband Tobias is an actor, photographer, filmmaker, and arts educator. He has starred as Derek Major on the hit Fox network series Empire, Kenny Armstrong on NBC’s Chicago PD, and Bennet Thompson in the BET series In Contempt

Never losing sight of the community, Tobias worked with the late Rodney Gilbert who founded Newark’s Yendor Arts Organization, to bridge the gap between inner-city youth and the arts. He is an active Yendor board member.

GRISELLE PONCE

Griselle Ponce is a professional dancer, dance Instructor, choreographer and actress. This Newark native and resident started her career winning the title of Ms. Teen Puerto Rico 1995. The following year, she booked a gig on Telemundo network’s Sabado47 as a dancer and co-host.

Over the years, Ponce has worked in TV and film as a dancer, including working with Spike Lee and Rosie Perez. Recently, she showcased her talent in the movie Shine where she was brought on as a choreographer. The film was screened at Newark’s CityPlex 12 last October.

Ponce has traveled the world since the age of 20, bringing dance with her to every continent. But she’s excited about the growing film industry in her hometown of Newark. At press time, she was working on a pilot project with Netflix based on her life as a mother, dancer, instructor, and choreographer that will be filmed in Newark. dN

—Tiffany Bynes

Additional Reporting by Hassaan Abdus-salaam

An Insider’s Perspective on Gentrification

PART 2 OF OUR SERIES ON THE “G” WORD

MARY A. BROWN

My goal, as a real estate professional and lifelong resident in this city, is for Newarkers to rewrite the narrative and shift their thoughts to key words within the definition of gentrification—change and improvement. Follow Melvin Sykes @melvinsykes.

Awalk down Broad Street, just past the familiar bustle of Market Street, gives way to a sight that’s welcoming to some who have long sought to see the empty gaps and once grand structures of Newark brought back to life. In the eyes of others, the sight is two glaring indicators that the ugly “G” word has now found its way to the city.

RYAN MONROE

Melvin Sykes

The sight? A Whole Foods Market, which now exists inside the revitalized Hahne & Company building, and a Starbucks, which left Newark in 2008 only to return in 2015. These two establishments symbolize a new Newark that many residents feel is not inclusive of its existing community.

Gentrification, as defined by the online version of Cambridge Dictionary, is the process by which a poor neighborhood in a city is changed by people who have money, including especially the improvement or replacement of buildings. By definition, gentrification means that there will eventually be displacement by those who have the means to rebuild or develop an underserved area.

My goal, as a real-estate professional and lifelong resident of this city, is to have Newarkers rewrite the narrative and shift their thoughts to keywords within the definition of gentrification—change and improvement. Gentrification is an opportunity, not only for “people who have money,” but for residents who wish to be empowered to create the change they seek.

In November 2017, Rutgers University–Newark published a report titled “Displacement Risk and Gentrification” written by David D. Troutt of Rutgers Center on Law, Inequality & Metropolitan Equity. In the report, Troutt notes: Newark, a city with the second highest rate of renters in the country, is deep into a crisis of affordable housing. Rents are rising significantly and income-restricted housing is at risk.

This finding reinforces the thought process that plagues some of the city’s residents. It’s understandable for them, much like some of the lifelong residents of Harlem or Brooklyn, to look around and feel helpless. Newarkers need to shift their thinking away from helplessness and hopelessness and focus on how we can be deeply rooted in the change we wish to see.

That change can begin to take shape through the process of “gentrifying from within.” That phrase, attributed to Mayor Baraka, symbolizes what equitable growth means. Gentrification scares populations at risk of displacement because it suggests that desired growth (the revitalization of areas long in need of infusions of capital and resources) will occur without them (displacement). But what if the very people whose new skills, education, financial capacity, and political voice are typically wooed from elsewhere were instead grown on Newark’s fertile Earth? Troutt posed this in a follow-up report, “Making Newark Work for Newarkers: Housing and Equitable Growth in the Next Brick City.” It reinforces my thoughts on Newark residents being motivated, and not crippled, by change and improvement.

If we create a foundation of education for ourselves, we can then become the developers of our own city. Being informed in the beginning stages is a powerful tool. Attending the city’s Central Planning Board meetings; completing job training and enrichment programs; and taking advantage of first-time homebuyers education, credit building, and repair seminars offered by community institutions are just some of the ways we can begin changing the narrative in our city around gentrification. dN

—Melvin Sykes

Gentrification is an opportunity, not only for people who have money...

5Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Newark

ENTERTAINMENT N

JPAC is in a city with hundreds of restaurants, so live entertainment and food are highly compatible. No matter what your plans are for Valentine’s Day, you’d better have tickets in advance, recheck dates and times, and reserve early for this dining destination weekend second only to Mother’s Day.

1 Toni Braxton and Marcus B&P

Avoid this year’s February 15-17 crunch by celebrating on February 8, when NJPAC co-produces a concert featuring Toni Braxton, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and SWV at the Prudential Center (The Rock). Braxton’s As Long As I Live Tour promises plenty of ultra-smooth R&B, which warrants a restaurant with a high degree of cool. Try the Southern specialties at Marcus B&P, celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson’s chic establishment in the Hahne & Co. building.

Visitors to the Arts Center know they don’t have to go farther than the lobby to find creative cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and pre-performance buzz at NICO Kitchen + Bar. In the following scenarios, however, Destination Newark and NJPAC play matchmaker by connecting NJPAC attractions to something cookin’ in the area:

4 Patrizio Buanne and Bella Notte

Also on February 15, Patrizio Buanne, the ambassador of romantic Italian songs, brings The Special Valentine’s Day Show to the Victoria Theater. Celebrating amore over a superb dinner comes naturally to proprietors of time-honored Italian restaurants throughout Greater Newark, like Luigi’s in the North Ward.

3 Patti LaBelle and ‘Blues’

Philadelphia’s Grammy-winning Patti LaBelle, who returns to NJPAC on February 15, knows soul. Her appearance with special guest Freddie Jackson calls for pre-show helpings of feel-good kitchen favorites. Savor the soul rolls stuffed with kale, sweet potato, and black-eyed peas at Eleven Clinton Smothered Blues, or dig into the health-conscious comfort food at Vonda’s Kitchen

2 A-List Comedians and BBQ

On Valentine’s Day itself, Michael Blackson, John Witherspoon, Luenell, Smokey Suarez, along with the evening’s host Bill Bellamy will be dishing out the laughs at NJPAC as part of the Valentine’s AllStar Comedy Show Then, on February 16, Emmy-winning comic Russell Peters brings his Deported World Tour to Prudential Hall. Get a serious “ribbing” from the grill at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

5 Maurice Hines and Fine Wines

Think of seductive songs like “I’ve Never Been in Love Before” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Now think of “fizzy” and “bubbly.” Nothing goes together quite like the Great American Songbook and wine, especially sparkling wine. In two shows on February 16, the ever-sophisticated tapper Maurice Hines performs standards like those and tells his story in Tappin’ Thru Life, backed by the all-female DIVA Orchestra.

An oasis on Newark’s bustling Ferry Street, Adega Grill, whose name comes from the Portuguese for “wine cellar,” offers a “wow” selection of wines and Champagnes in its cushy lounges and dining areas. For tickets to NJPAC events, visit njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC (466-5722)

Toni Braxton

Valentine’s All-Star Comedy Show

Patti LaBelle and Freddie Jackson

Patrizio Buanne

Maurice Hines

Whitney! GRAMMY Museum Experience at the Prudential CenterDon’tMissIt!

The Whitney Houston exhibit opened at Prudential ­Center’s GRAMMY Museum Experience on October 19, 2018 and it’s a must-see! Destination Newark was given an exclusive look inside the exhibit and it was as amazing as we thought. Our editors and social media team, including EvanTheShow, took over the museum and had a blast!

Houston’s exhibit portrays the singer’s musical career up until her unfortunate passing on February 11, 2012. The Houston family and the Marion P. Foundation collaborated with the GRAMMY Museum to make the exhibit possible.

Fans and museum-goers can look forward to seeing magazine covers and advertisements in which Houston modeled. Precious items like the singer’s diploma and childhood bible were provided by her family for the exhibit. In addition, some of Houston’s most memorable dresses and other outfits are on display. In 1997, the Newark native starred as the fairy godmother in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella movie alongside Brandy Norwood. The movie’s scriptbook is included in the exhibit.

In addition to Whitney Houston memorabilia, exhibit visitors can sing along with Houston in a booth with lyrics to her hit “I Want to Dance

With Somebody.” The singer’s most iconic speeches and moments, including her 1991 Super Bowl Performance of “The Star Spangled Banner,” are part of the exhibit.

The GRAMMY Museum Experience also includes the history of the GRAMMYs, as well as other artists like Wyclef, Nick Jonas, and Ray Charles & The Raelettes. During our Destination Newark takeover, we had the opportunity to perform as our own band (see image above).

The Whitney! exhibit will run until June 30, 2019. General admission tickets to the GRAMMY Museum Experience can be purchased online through Ticketmaster for $7-$10. Visit grammymuseumexp.org for more information.

—LaToya Harris

The entrance to the Whitney Houston exhibit.

Some of the memorabilia on display at the Whitney! exhibit.

Members of the Destination Newark staff in the GRAMMY Museum Experience Roland Live.

What’s Happening in Newark

Winter 2019

31ST ANNUAL SING IN PRAISE OF KING

Jan 10, 2019

Newark Symphony Hall

Celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the 31st annual Sing in Praise of King event at Newark Symphony Hall. Hosted by the City of Newark and the Hon. Ras J Baraka, Angela Rye will be a keynote speaker and Grammy-nominated Koryn Hawthorne and The Group Fire will give a live performance. This is not an event you want to miss. For tickets, call the City of Newark at 973-733-5373.

YEAR OF THE PIG, NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY

Feb 2-3, 2019

NJPAC

Come to NJPAC to see a performance by the Nai-Ni Chen dance company celebrating the Chinese New Year. The Nai-Ni Chen dance company has received more than 15 awards from the National Endowment For the Arts. With a performance that takes the audience beyond cultural boundaries and shows a beautiful collaboration of American modern dance and the grace of Asian art, this show is a must-see! Visit njpac.org for more info.

KIDZ BOP LIVE TOUR

Feb 15, 2019

Prudential Center

If you’re looking for a concert for the whole family, come see Kidz Bop in their first-ever appearance at the Prudential Center. Performing renditions of popular contemporary songs, Kidz Bop is the No. 1 music brand for kids. Don’t miss out on their first-ever performance here in Newark!

Visit prucenter.com for more info.

Spring 2019

SAINT PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

March 15, 2019

Prudential Center

The City of Newark is celebrating St. Patrick’s Day! Make your way downtown for a day of costume, song, and dance in celebration of Irish history. With a parade starting at the Prudential Center at 1PM, this is definitely a fun event for the whole family. Wear green!

Visit newarkparade.com for more info.

IMPRACTICAL JOKERS

March 20, 2019

Prudential Center

The popular show Impractical Jokers is coming to the Prudential Center in 2019. The show, which airs on truTV, follows four friends as they try to convince each other to perform outrageous stunts in public. Now in its 7th season, the group is taking their show on the road. A good performance to watch if you’re in the mood to laugh. Visit prucenter.com for more info.

NAI-NI CHEN DANCE COMPANY

KIDZ BOP LIVE

THE GRAMMY MUSEUM EXPERIENCE Year round Prudential Center

If you have not yet seen the Whitney Houston exhibit at the Grammy Museum Experience at the Prudential Center, do yourself a favor and go. The museum features interactive exhibits, tributes to local icons, and an education center—not to mention an entire section dedicated to Whitney Houston until June. It’s worth the trip! Visit grammymuseumexp.org for more info.

SAROD & SCHEHERAZADE

April 5-7, 2019

NJPAC

Come hear the classical sarod master Amjad Ali Khan and sons perform on stage at NJPAC. A master of the sarod, a musical instrument from India, Amjad has brought the sound of India all the way to Newark. Visit njpac.org for more info.

THE MAGIC TREEHOUSE: SHOWTIME WITH SHAKESPEARE

May 31, 2019

NJPAC

Watch a Hip-Hop musical based on the beloved children’s book series The Magic Treehouse by Mary Pope Osborn. Set in Elizabethan England, follow the characters, Jack and Ann, as they explore England and meet William Shakespeare. This event will please both children and adults alike. Visit njpac.org for more info.

CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

April 6-14, 2019

Branch Brook Park

This spring, check out the Bloomfest festival at Branch Brook Park. With a day full of stage performances, cultural demonstrations, and children’s activities, it’s the perfect time to appreciate Newark’s Cherry Blossom trees. Visit essexcountyparks.org for more info.

SAROD & SCHEHERAZADE

THE GRAMMY MUSEUM EXPERIENCE AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER