JOHN OF ART THE
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I must admit, I am very fond of John Schreiber, President and CEO of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. Whenever I see him, I run up to him like a groupie. It’s true. I’m always like, “Let’s take a picture!” I have no idea whether he remembers who I am from one time to the next and I don’t care. I love his energy, his professionalism, and his genuine concern for the community of Newark.
LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER
I was exceptionally impressed to learn that he moved to One Theater Square, the luxury high-rise across the street from NJPAC. Yes, the one with the amazing views, at the corner of Park Place. And I love the fact that he just casually passes through events in Newark, like the Halsey Street festival where I snapped my last selfie of us. To learn about who John is and what he does for Newark, read “The John of Art” on page 18.
People like John and Richard Grossklaus, who bought and repurposed/restored many of Newark’s historic mansions, have been instrumental in strengthening the city’s community, and providing services and opportunity to its residents. Read about Richard’s efforts in “Reviving the Grandeur” on page 7.
Also check out the Newark Arts Festival lineup on page 11. I was told by an art teacher who lives in Piscataway, NJ that the Newark Arts Festival is “the best ticket in town.” Check out our coverage to see if it lives up to the hype.
Lastly, fall is my favorite season, so I can’t wait to “Fall into 4 Cozy Cafes” (page 27), and visit each shop to taste the season’s coffee and menu items.
Thank you for reading,
SAKINA Publisher
EDITORIAL Kim Prime Managing Editor
Sonja Mack Copyeditor
Mahima Aktar Writer
Kayla Cole Writer
Jenifer Braun Contributor
Shira Vickar-Fox Contributor ART Mary A. Brown Creative Director mbrown@colemediainc.com Mike Rush Designer
EDITORIAL PARTNERS City of Newark Newark Beth Israel Medical Center New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Invest Newark Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau (GNCVB)
ADVERTISING advertising@colemediainc.com
(L-R) ASHLEY MAYS, NEWARK ALLIANCE, LAUREN CRAIG, NEWARK ARTS, JOHN SCHREIBER, NJPAC, SAKINA COLE, DESTINATION NEWARK AT HALSEY FESTIVAL.
COVER PHOTO: S. BOLA OKOYA
ASK THE MAYOR
QSCHREIBER: So, Dodge Poetry and Dodge Foundation have moved to Newark. Dodge Poetry is now a year-round activity in the city of Newark. Talk a little bit about Newark as a city of poetry.
MAYOR BARAKA: I’m excited about Dodge Poetry moving to Newark and the Poetry Festival. It gives more local poets opportunities and a stage, and it brings the international poetry scene to the city of Newark. It’s just amazing! Amazing! Amazing! There are a lot of poets in this town. When I first ran for mayor, when I was 24 years old, we raised some of the (campaign) dollars off poetry readings at a place in the basement next to Symphony Hall. So, poetry in Newark has long been (around), and, I’m excited about us revisiting that and leaning on the fact that art is our salvation.
Qbusiness, whether you are trying to get classes or training, the right advice, or access to grants.
That’s why the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative was important:, to provide money and opportunity for businesses that wanted to find their place in the footprint of downtown.
Visit www.investnewark.org.
QSCHREIBER: How is the city planning to address shuttered residential buildings that are condemned? What is the overall plan for residential development outside of the downtown district?
— Amir Washington, Boys and Girls Club
SCHREIBER: Are there any special opportunities for business owners, who are native Newarkers and hire Newarkers, looking to start a small business (in Newark)?
— Debra Howell and Dr. Suffiyah Webb, Brilliant Smiles Dentistry
MAYOR BARAKA: I would say Invest Newark is the go-to (resource) for people who are trying to start a
MAYOR BARAKA: There is development happening all over the city right now. Years ago, we began the West Ward Model Neighborhood initiative where a lot of Black and brown, women-led business developers began to develop single-family, two-family, and three-family homes in areas across the city of Newark, so that’s been happening quietly, and people have not even seen that.
See, the thing that happens downtown is that you have these big, giant buildings that go up and you get a giant press release. When somebody builds a twofamily or three-family home, there is no press release. No media. You just get it done.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka answered audience questions moderated by NJPAC CEO John Schreiber in September at NJPAC’s Business Partners Roundtable.
Step Into Newark’s Gilded Age
If you’re like us, you are anticipating the release of season three of The Gilded Age, a hit TV series on HBO that follows old New York families with tons of money as they go through a huge cultural shift that changes their futures—and the future of the city itself. Follow us through these pages for a glimpse into Newark’s gilded age.
You can literally step into this historic era by touring The Ballantine House at The Newark Museum of Art. The Ballantine family were Scottish immigrants who became the fourth largest brewers of beer in the United States. The three-story, 27-room brick and sandstone mansion was built in 1885 for Jeanette and John Holme Ballantine and their four
children. As a feature of the museum, The Ballantine House offers visitors new experiences through installations inside the home that celebrate Newark’s heritage and the Black and immigrant communities that built it. The Ballantine House has been temporarily closed due to nearby construction. It is scheduled to reopen in late November.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Reviving the Grandeur
THE GLENCOE MANSION CURRENTLY UNDERGOES RENOVATION.
Walking through some of Newark’s neighborhoods can transport you to a time in the 18th and 19th centuries when America’s history was doused in opulence and grandeur. Just look up and marvel at the first-of-its-kind architectural designs on some of the structures.
We took a walk down memory lane with a former owner of the Coe Mansion, which is one of the many mansions in Newark on the National and State Register of Historic Places.
GLENCOE MANSION
The High Victorian Italianate-style house is known as Glencoe or the Coe Mansion, and it’s significant for its architecture. James Dickerson, a leather merchant, built the mansion in 1871 on what was then High Street, now Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. The home was purchased in 1886 by local steel and iron merchant James Coe, where he, his wife, their six children, and their servants lived. According to theclio.com, the Coe family had several Black servants who lived on the property with them.
The last resident to live in the original home was Richard Grossklaus, co-founder of Integrity House, which provides residences and services to
people recovering from addiction. In the 1980s, Grossklaus purchased the Coe Mansion, including the butler’s cottage and carriage house, separate structures that are also on the property. “Coe was going for $68,000 at that time,” recalls Grossklaus, who sold his previous Newark home for $60,000 to purchasing the mansion.
Grossklaus lived and entertained at the Coe Mansion for several years until he felt it was too much space for him. He then sold the mansion in the 1990s. According to Grossklaus, that purchaser lost the home, and it has been vacant for at least 20 years. It was reported in 2020 that the mansion had been later purchased for $1.6 million with plans to renovate and repurpose it as apartments. Today, in 2024, the mansion is finally undergoing renovations to restore the beauty and the grandeur of the home’s woodwork and historic exterior.
RICHARD GROSSKLAUS SITS IN THE CARRIAGE HOUSE AT COE MANSION.
HEALTH Living an Abundant Life
by Tobias Truvillion
Destination Newark’s Summer 2023 cover subject and award-winning actor Tobias Truvillion is on a journey to achieve optimum health of the mind, body and soul.
There comes a time when you know that you have to make a change in your life. My catalyst came from my experience working on the In Contempt show, losing my dear friend Rodney, and wanting to ascend spiritually.
Through my trials and tribulations, I found that making changes in my life led to feeling more abundant and connected to my body and spirit than ever before. After a taste of a better life, I didn’t want to go back to my old ways, but I walked in the dark for four months. Finding Dr. Sebi’s cleanse really kept me on track. The cost of the program only motivated me not to ruin it!
What I discovered during my healing journey:
Within small and consistent changes, abundance and alignment appears.
True wealth comes from how we treat our bodies and what we eat.
I can see God’s presence in my life every day.
1 2 3
When assessing my life, I asked myself when was the last time I truly challenged and disciplined myself. Self-determination was key, and I realized that I always ate healthily, but there are levels to this health journey. As I continued my journey, I discovered that, with every new awakening moment, I found new purpose and a new tribe of kindred spirits. This translated into my work, leading to more freedom and abundance.
Now I understand the importance of living a plant-based Afro Bio Mineral lifestyle. I love the process so much that I founded the Tru Food Academy, an online course introducing those who are ready to an Afro Bio Mineral plant-based lifestyle. Today, I know the universe is receiving my signal, and I can see tangible evidence of God’s presence in my life. —Excerpt from “3 Keys to Living an Abundant Life: Your Beginner Guide to Living an Afro Bio Mineral Plant-based Lifestyle” by Tobias Truvillion
A Newark, NJ resident, Tobias Truvillion is an accomplished model and actor who has appeared in nearly 100 television or movie roles. He was a regular cast member in the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live, and later had recurring roles on primetime series’ such as Empire and First Wives Club. He also appeared in films Brooklyn’s Finest (2009), Equal Standard (2020), Sanctioning Evil (2022) and First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story (2023). Tobias is the founder of Tru to the Core, a wellness company providing products, presentations, courses and demos. Visit www.trutothecore.com
LIFESTYLE A Destination for the Arts
Newark Arts Festival (NAF) returns this fall offering a transformative weekend of arts and culture that is expected to draw more than 2,000 attendees. More than just an annual event, this year’s festival signals Newark’s cultural renaissance, reclaiming its historic identity as a city of the arts while paving the way for a dynamic future.
Newark Arts is not only creating a platform for local artists but expanding beyond Newark’s borders, forging partnerships with influential cultural institutions from across the tri-state area and beyond. With Newark’s arts economy generating $178 million annually and supporting over 5,000 arts workers, the Newark Arts Festival seeks to continue elevating
A Five-Day Exploration of Newark’s Future
the city’s profile. Major collaborators include the Harlem Fine Arts Show from New York and programming partners from Jersey City and cities throughout the tTri-state.
“We are thrilled to welcome back the Newark Arts Festival this October 9-13, 2024, with the exciting theme of Radical Reimagining. We cannot wait to host attendees from around the nation as they experience transformative arts and cultural events that celebrate Newark’s rich artistic heritage, all while pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Newark Arts is proud to showcase our city’s dynamic spirit as a truly global arts destination,” said Lauren LeBeaux Craig, executive director at Newark Arts.
In an effort to further inspire dialogue and innovation around the Radical Reimagining theme, Newark Arts has structured the festival into five unique days, each with its own sub-theme that aligns with the overarching festival message. The five days are:
October 9: Reimagining Newark Arts Day
October 10: Reimagining Open Spaces Day
October 11: Reimagining the Urban Marketplace Day
October 12: Reimagining Legacy Day
October 13: Reimagining Community Day
Each day’s programming is curated to address its specific theme while feeding into the larger conversation about how Newark is evolving as a cultural, social, and artistic beacon. From thought-provoking discussions and performances to groundbreaking exhibitions, every event aims to spur meaningful discussions on reimagining the future of Newark.
The Pink Ball
NAF 2024 kicks off Reimagining Newark Arts Day on October 9th with The Pink Ball, an extravagant opening reception at the Newark Museum of Art, where the museum will transform with projection mapping and the signature Newark Arts pink. In addition to the festival’s hallmark visual arts exhibitions, the expanded program will feature more than 100 artists, including local and international talents, on display at multiple venues throughout the city.
Harry Belafonte Screening
As part of the Reimagining Legacy Day on October 12th, there will be a screening of Following Harry, a documentary about the legacy of Harry Belafonte. A panel discussion will follow the film at Express Newark, providing an opportunity to reflect on Newark’s rich history of activism, music, and social justice.
For more information on the Newark Arts Festival 2024, visit www.newarkartsfestival. com or www.newarkarts.org.
Featured Artists at the Newark Arts Festival
Akintola Hanif | HYCIDE x Newark Arts Festival 2024 presents The Black & White Book Launch Party and Exhibition
Saturday, October 12th at the Newark Museum of Art, 6-9pm
AKINTOLA HANIF:
A photojournalist and filmmaker who specializes in documentary portraiture, Hanif’s work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in The National Museum of African American History and Culture, The New Jersey State Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Photography, the Guggenheim Museum, and others. In 2016, he was part of the longest mural project on the East Coast, located in Newark. After a five-year hiatus, Akintola’s HYCIDE magazine makes a return with a coffee table book and an exploration into race, culture, and societal constructs.
PHOTO CREDIT: PROVIDED BY NEWARK ARTS
DAVID SOLAN:
David Solan: Combining classical training with graffiti, Solan, aka DISTORT, has presented his work in a solo show at the Works on Paper gallery in Philadelphia, completed murals in Miami, Istanbul, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and New York, as well as in locations across North Jersey.
CESAR MELGAR:
As a child of first-generation immigrants from Colombia and Peru, Melgar turns his lens onto his community. He has exhibited his work in galleries in Newark. He is a contributing photographer for the International Society of Biourbanism, based in Rome, Italy. His work is in the collection of New York City’s Throckmorton Fine Art gallery, and his debut photo book, Street Views.
ANNE ADAMS:
dams is a multidisciplinary artist. Her practice spans various mediums, with a pronounced focus on anthropomorphic sculptures. Adams’work has been showcased in exhibitions across the USA, UK, Nigeria, and France.
BIMPÉ FAGEYINBO:
Fageyinbo’s work utilizes poetry, film, prose and documentary photography. Her collaborative work includes A Womb of Violet anthologies, archived in collections The Metropolitan Museum of Art Library, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Library of Congress.
KIM HILL:
JAZ GRAF:
Influenced by notions of the “Eastern” sacred and “Western sublime, Graf explores themes of intergenerational memory and cultural preservation. She exhibits locally and internationally, and has been published in the peer-reviewed journal, Asian Diasporic Visual Cultures and the Americas. Her work has appeared in AM New York news, The Jersey Journal, World Literature Today, and on NJ PBS television network.
While she’s most recognizable as the original singer in The Black Eyed Peas, Hill has turned her creative efforts toward textile and furniture design. Her chair sculptures have been in exhibits, commissioned by multidisciplinary artists, at the Rockaway Hotel in New York, and Bloomingdale’s.
EDUCATION
Newark native chooses city’s law school
According to Thyquel Halley, a Newark resident and first-year law student, one of the most appealing programs at Rutgers Law School is the Minority Student Program. The development of the program was a direct response to the Newark riots of 1967 and it serves to unite minorities in the legal field to overcome barriers.
Halley is currently the administrative and communications coordinator at the Humanities Action Lab (HAL) of Rutgers University-Newark, which he says provides him “the privilege of being part of an office that serves as a critical nexus for social justice activism and education.” He believes HAL has a special significance. “Being housed in Newark is more than just a geographic placement, it is a deliberate choice that roots our work in a city that has long
been a crucible for social justice. Newark’s history of resistance against oppression fuels our mission, infusing our efforts with a sense of urgency and purpose.”
Rutgers Law School, holding the esteem of being one of the most diverse law schools in the country, is one of two law schools located in New Jersey. The Rutgers Law School exists on two campuses, with one in Newark and the other in Camden.
Seton Hall Law School, the only other law school in New Jersey, is conveniently located just one-and-a-half blocks from Newark Penn Station. As the only private law school in New Jersey, Seton Hall holds a distinguished place in the top third of law schools in the nation. According to the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Seton Hall Law School comes in at #61 out of the 196 ABA Accredited law schools chosen for consideration. —Mahima Aktar
by Jenifer Braun
NJPAC begins $336 million project to bring new homes, restaurants, and new art facilities to Newark
“Once we’re up and going, in a couple of years, Newarkers will have a plethora of opportunities to be entertained, to learn, and to be energized on the Arts Center’s campus,” says John Schreiber
Anyone who wandered down Center Street this summer already knows: Something big is happening at NJPAC.
Construction fencing now surrounds much of the gleaming brick and glass New Jersey Performing Arts Center, while yellow earth-moving equipment rises and falls behind it. When an official groundbreaking took place on September 18, the work was already well underway.
And when it’s done in 2027—just in time for the 30th anniversary of NJPAC’s opening—the theater’s downtown Newark campus will be transformed. A thousand new residents will live on the Arts Center’s campus, while visitors will have more reasons to linger after an event.
“Once we’re up and going, in a couple of years, Newarkers will have a plethora of opportunities to be entertained, to learn, and to be energized” on the Arts Center’s campus, says John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC, who’s overseen the project alongside Tim Lizura, the Arts Center’s Executive Vice President, Real Estate & Capital Projects.
What the NJPAC is building is not a new take on its existing theaters — where Lauryn Hill, Bob Dylan, Yo-Yo Ma, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Adam Sandler, John Leguizamo and Jennifer Hudson have all performed — but rather a whole new downtown neighborhood that will surround them.
The mixed-use, mixed-income residential development, called ArtSide, will include 350 rental units ranging from studio apartments to townhomes (20% of them affordable housing). It will also feature shops, restaurants, and cultural venues, among them a brand new home for Newark’s be-
loved public jazz radio station, WBGO.
The theaters’ eastern side will be redesigned to create a new entry, and Chambers Plaza, with the addition of a multipurpose space called Essex County Green, will be “rearchitected,” Schreiber says, to make it better able to host outdoor performances, festivals and markets year-round.
The development will also include a 58,000-square-foot Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center. This building— made possible thanks to a foundational gift from investor Leon Cooperman and his family—will be a purpose-built home for the performing arts training classes NJPAC offers. The Cooperman will also serve as the headquarters for the Arts Center’s community engagement programming, house rehearsal studios, and a theater “lab” where young people can learn technical theater skills, including lighting and sound design.
NJPAC’s leadership has spent more than five years planning this reimagining of the Arts Center’s campus, with help from Prudential Financial, urban planning studio RePlace, architects Skidmore Owings & Merrill, the architectural firm of Weiss/Manfredi, and developer LMXD.
“This master-planned development that we’re advancing in collaboration and cooperation with so many partners will have a positive impact on our community for generations,” says Schreiber.
“And as the city’s anchor cultural institution, an essential part of our work is not only presenting the greatest artists in the world but also providing educational and cultural assets and opportunities that are accessible to everyone. This new neighborhood we’re building will do just that.”
JOHN SCHREIBER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF NJPAC OVERLOOKING CONSTRUCTION SITE OF NEW ARTS CENTER CAMPUS
The John of Art
LEADING THE SUCCESS OF THE NEW JERSEY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SINCE 2011 IS THE VERY ENGAGED AND ACCESSIBLE PRESIDENT AND CEO JOHN SCHREIBER.
Did you know?
Earlier in John’s career, he produced music festivals, including the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival, under the tutelage of the legendary jazz impresario George Wein. He has a wealth of stories about the jazz greats he worked with over the years, including Sarah Vaughan, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Ella Fitzgerald.
John went on to produce literary festivals, Broadway musicals, and television specials. (He has both an Emmy and a Tony for Elaine Stritch: At Liberty, which was first a stage production and then an HBO special.) He then spent time in Hollywood working at Participant Media on films with a social conscience, including An Inconvenient Truth, Good Night and Good Luck, and The Help. He was chosen to lead NJPAC after a nationwide search for an executive with ties to the arts, community engagement and event production.
John grew up in Queens and later lived in Newark (at One Theater Square on the NJPAC campus), Montclair and Brooklyn.
He has been deeply engaged in Newark’s culture and community during his tenure at NJPAC. He is cochair of the Newark Anchor Collaborative; a board member of the Newark Alliance and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, and an advisory board member of First Book and Rutgers University–Newark. He also served as programs chair for the year-long 350th anniversary of Newark’s founding.
John’s favorite Newark spots include the Newark Public Library (he’s a devoted Philip Roth fan), Hobby’s Deli and Branch Brook Park.
PHOTO CREDIT: S. BOLA OKOYA
Timeline of real estate development at njpac
1987
Act One: Governor Tom Kean formally proposes building the Arts Center in Newark in 1987. When NJPAC opened in 1997, contributing to the resilience of Newark’s downtown was explicitly part of its mission. Kean remembered the redevelopment that sprang up around New York City’s Lincoln Center when it was established in the 1960s, and he saw potential for a performing arts center in downtown Newark to contribute to the city’s economic growth in much the same way.
2019
2016
Act Two: In 2016, the Arts Center’s first venture in real estate development—the construction of One Theater Square, a 22-story residential tower across Center Street from its theaters—began construction. As that project was being built, Ommeed Sathe—then vice president of Impact Investments at Prudential Financial—and his team approached the Arts Center with a proposal for NJPAC to create a master plan for the development of its entire campus, mapping out a thoughtfully designed neighborhood across its grounds.
“When this is built, it will feel walkable. It will actually be as dense as the Upper East Side, but it will feel like the West Village,” says Sathe, referencing two iconic New York City neighborhoods. (Sathe is now Head of Impact and Sustainable Investments at Liberty Mutual Investments—one of several financial partners underwriting NJPAC’s campus redevelopment.)
Act Three: By 2019, One Theater Square, which opened in the summer of 2018, was effectively fully occupied. “That was our proof point,” says Schreiber. The Arts Center put out a request for proposals to developers interested in bringing the new masterplan to life. Of the 20 that responded, NJPAC chose to partner with LMXD to make the vision of a new neighborhood around the Arts Center a reality.
2024
Curtain call: On September 18, 2024, ground officially broke on the residential development, ArtSide, the Cooperman Center, and the reimagining of Chambers Plaza into an event-friendly urban park.
Newark’s “first family of art” made their mark at the 2024 Summer Olympic games
by Kim Prime
While many of us were watching the elite athletes that competed as part of the Olympic games this summer, Newark’s own “3 the Art Way”—which includes mom Yvonne Onque and sons Suliman Onque and Samad Onque—had a front-row seat to witness the excitement of the games as well as the grandeur of their host city, Paris. The Onque family’s eight-day Paris Olympic adventure was part of a unique project called Africa Station—or Station Afrique—a fan zone dedicated to celebrating African culture and sport. The Onque family were a part of the Olympic Newark Eight team that designed, curated, and executed an art exhibition, panel discussion and documentary during the games called “From Newark to Paris, With Love.”
Located in the French city of Ile-Saint-Denis, Africa Station was a unique meeting place for sports fans and followers, and fans of African traditions, crafts, and art. The village included athlete and medal celebrations, a conference and reception area, a sports area, and a main stage for performances. Yvonne Onque credits exhibition curator Tiffany Salas with her family’s opportunity to take their Newark
“This exhibition allowed us to really show our creativity and some of our work that hasn’t always been welcome in other spaces we’ve been in. So that was a welcome change.”
art message global . “Tiffany is a force of nature,” Yvonne says. “I was so impressed with what she was able to put together, and she made the experience one that we would not forget.”
“This Olympic village for Africans was actually the first of its kind,” Salas says. After receiving her invitation to participate, Salas formed the Newark team, which also included cinematographer Kiymora Smith; filmmaker and exhibiting artist Nuria Dixon; photographer, videographer and exhibiting artist Gary Campbell; and cinematographer Eric Pena-Tobias.
Samad adds: “Artistically, we are on an ongoing journey, working together, showcasing the African experience. In Paris, we wanted our exhibition to highlight our African experience here in Newark, and we were able to
bring together some older and newer pieces of our work in the installation.”
Suliman is still wrapping his head around the fact that the Onque family being in Paris at the Olympics was a dream that became a reality. “When we were first approached about it, it didn’t seem real,” he says. “This exhibition allowed us to really show our creativity and some of our work that hasn’t always been welcome in other spaces we’ve been in. So that was a welcome change.”
The Onque family have deep roots in Newark and are considered art celebrities. Yvonne, Samad and Suliman are Arts High School alumni. Their work is displayed all around the city, including at the Prudential Center, Newark Screens, the Gant-Gilbert Art Collective, city schools, and the Newark Museum, to name just a few.
Newark Athlete Participates in Her Second Olympic Games
Former Science Park High School basketball standout Ezinne Kalu-Phelps was another Newark native who had an Olympic adventure this year. Kalu-Phelps played on the Nigerian national basketball team. She was also part of the team during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. This year, Kalu-Phelps was part of the team’s historic, first-ever advance to a quarterfinal game at the Olympics. She was a key member of the team, scoring 21 points in their upset win over the Canadian team.
Kalu-Phelps was the first woman in Science High history to score 2,000 points. After graduating in 2010, she attended Savanna State University in Georgia and became the first to score 2,000 career points at that school, as well. Science High retired her jersey in December 2017.
Congratulations on your Olympic success, Ezinne! –Kim Prime
MARLENE MACK, OWNER OF ONE STEP AHEAD LEARNING AND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN GATEWAY FILLED A VOID FOR QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS.
Meeting Newark’s Unmet Demand
Major unmet gap creates opportunities for businesses
Byline:
Kim Prime and Sakina Spruell Cole
Daily, there are reportedly 75,000 people moving about the Gateway Center towers heading to work, school, or to transportation in Newark Penn Station. However, there was no childcare center on the property until just this year. Marlene Mack, who has owned One Step Ahead Learning Center in East Orange, NJ for almost 28 years, saw this as her big opportunity.
In April, Mack put out her big red umbrella and cut the ribbon on One Step Ahead Learning and Performing Arts Center, for children aged two-and-
the newly redesigned Junction concourse that connects the buildings. Mack says her location is convenient for commuters coming and going to the bus and train, as well as the thousands of employees that work in the Gateway towers.
“It has been an extreme pleasure to be a part of the Onyx family,” says Mack. “There were no hoops to jump through. I drew the facility with a crayon initially and gave it to them. I even drew the playground area. I did it with a green marker and they turned it into a facility. The process was very, very
“It has been an extreme pleasure to be a part of the Onyx family,” says Mack. “There were no hoops to jump through. I drew the facility with a crayon initially and gave it to them. I even drew the playground area. I did it with a green marker and they turned it into a facility. The process was very, very easy because of Gateway, Gateway employees, and because of Onyx,” exclaims Mack.
a-half to five years old. “You will see the big, giant red umbrella,” says Mack of how to find her. “And there are red (open enrollment) banners hanging all over the building,” directs Mack.
One Step Ahead is in one of the newly renovated Gateway buildings that were acquired and recently renovated by Onyx Equity. The childcare center sits directly across the street from Penn Station near
easy because of Gateway, Gateway employees, and because of Onyx,” exclaims Mack.
In 2016, a report prepared by the Reinvestment Fund found that there is a substantial gap between the total supply of childcare and the demand for it. Across the city, the supply of childcare only meets 85.6% of the demand.
If you were ever thinking of opening a custom-
er-oriented business, but you just didn’t know what type would be best, this is your big moment. In 2024, Invest Newark released a report that shows the supply, demand, surplus and unmet demand for goods and services in five neighborhoods across Newark. The report, titled Retail Demand on Newark’s Commercial Corridors,* shows that Newark has a combined total of more than $2 billion in unmet demand.
“We wanted to gather data on what amount of money we are missing out on as a city, either because we don’t have the retailers to meet resident demand, or because current retailers are not currently offering all the goods and services we need,” said Emily Manz, chief business development officer at Invest Newark.
*Invest Newark’s research and reporting on retail demand was made possible by a grant from the Prudential Foundation.
Manz also indicated that there is a need to diversify retailers in certain neighborhoods because some areas are oversaturated with general merchandise stores, auto parts and tire stores.
For example, residents responded in the study that while there are several liquor stores in many areas, places to sit and leisurely have a drink–like a pub or lounge—are not readily available. A Bergen Lyons neighborhood resident responded that she recently moved to Newark and quickly realized she couldn’t shop around her neighborhood, unless it was for something quick.
Manz says that Invest Newark’s goal is to not only attract new businesses to the city but, where possible, help current retailers and businesses expand to help meet the demands that have been identified.
Based on the findings of the recent Retail Demand on Newark’s Commercial Corridors Report, Newark has
“We wanted to gather data on what amount of money we are missing out on as a city, either because we don’t have the retailers to meet resident demand, or because current retailers are not currently offering all the goods and services we need,” said Emily Manz, chief business development officer at Invest Newark.
$2 BILLION
IN UNMET DEMAND FOR RETAIL BUSINESSES
Newark Needs More of This
There is $3.3M of available demand for places to sit down and have a drink such as bars or lounges, but there is a negative demand (-$2.1M) for liquor, wine and spirit stores.
There is an unmet demand of $131M for full-service restaurants where you can receive table service.
There is an unmet demand of $8.8M for book, periodical and music stores.
There is an unmet demand of $66M for sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores.
There is an unmet demand of $111M for department stores.
Despite the presence of grocers like Shop Rite and Whole Foods, unmet grocery demand is $105M
These are all opportunities, says Invest Newark.
There is an unmet demand of $21M for vending machine operators.
Fall into These 4 Cozy Cafes
by Mahima Aktar
From apples to pumpkins, autumn is all about big and bold flavors. These flavors have been translated to seasonal drinks and foods, available for a limited time only. As the leaves change color, weather gets chillier, and schools return to session, local Newark cafes transition to their fall menus, and we are here for it! Read below for the coziest locales and deliciously warming fall treats.
Method Cafe
16 Lombardy St., First Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
Fall at Method Cafe is all about the earthy flavors and teas that capture the essence of the season. Their seasonal menu features classic fall favorites, such as pumpkin spiced lattes and chai lattes, but that is just the beginning. Their Cinnamon Caramel Apple Cider has just been introduced, inspiring thoughts of apple picking. For those not quite ready to say farewell to summer, Method Cafe’s Cinnamon Iced Tea and Peach Apricot Iced Tea are beverages with the perfect combination of flavors. The best part is that the drink combinations at Method Cafe are limitless, with homemade syrup flavors that include vanilla, hazelnut, rose, lavender, and more. Their hot oats, a cozy breakfast option, pair well with their drink combinations. Method Cafe is also enveloped in a cozy ambiance that includes board games and guitars for patrons to use.
Kanela
270 Orange St, Newark, NJ 07103
In Greek, “kanela” means cinnamon. And at Kanela Cafe and Marketa, this spice is a focal point in their food and drinks, making their fall menu all the more delicious. Kanela serves delectable pumpkin spiced lattes and chai lattes, offering these classic fall beverage flavors iced as well as hot. For those seeking a caffeine-free drink, Kanela’s Spiced Apple Cider is flavored with a warm blend of cinnamon and other earthy spices, elevating it from traditional apple cider. These drinks go well with a warm cinnamon bun, glazed with delicious frosting. And if timeless dessert options are your cup of tea, Kanela makes fresh pastries, including an almond croissant with just the right amount of crunch; a decadent chocolate croissant; soft, blueberry cheese danishes; and cookies full of warm, gooey goodness. Kanela advises patrons to order ahead for pastries fresh from the oven.
KANELA
METHOD CAFE
Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
52 Halsey Stubs (inside the Hahne’s bldg.), Newark, NJ 07102
Sweetwaters cafe does not miss the mark on themes and festivities with a creative and robust seasonal menu that features coffees, teas, and desserts. If you are a pumpkin lover, their Great Pumpkin Latte and Pumpkin Cold Brew are must-tries. They give “pumpkin patch” with every sip. Their Spiced Caramel Apple Cider, served hot or iced, is another strong contender, blending chai spices with the taste of crisp Michigan apples. For a more out-of-the-box take on fall drinks, try the Monster Matcha, which is made of real Japanese matcha green tea, sweet vanilla, and an espresso mixture. Sweetwaters also has a robust tea selection, including chai, chamomile, cinnamon spice, and dragon pearl jasmine flavors. These drinks pair well with seasonal baked breads, such as Cinnamon Pecan Walnut Swirl and classic Zucchini bread, available for a limited time.
Sihanna
71 Ferry St, Newark, NJ 07105
Sihana Cafe’s fall flavors put a twist on comforting, classic and timeless menu options. Their Masala chai and chai latte are the fan favorites of the season, each sip full of hearty flavors. They can be customized with flavored shots, such as hazelnut, to enhance every sip. Each of Sihana’s warm coffee drinks come with signature latte foam art, making the experience all the more enjoyable. However, the hearty, earthy flavors of autumn are best embodied in Sihana’s delectable salads. One of the most popular is the Blue Cheese Salad, which consists of mixed greens, caramelized apple, raisins, walnuts, and served with an apple juice dressing. Another favorite is the Chicken Salad, prepared with baby spinach, butternut squash, feta cheese, pumpkin seeds, and topped with a honey mustard dressing. For those with a sweet tooth, Sihana has a wide variety of flavored croissants and desserts to satisfy your cravings. And to top it all off, there is a wide variety of books in all genres, inviting patrons to cozy up and enjoy a perfect autumn day.
SIHANA
Falling leaves and cool evenings signal festival season in Newark
By Shira Vickar-Fox
Dodge Poetry Festival
Oct. 17 – 19, 2024
Poetry is for everyone at the 20th Dodge Poetry Festival taking place in locations throughout downtown Newark, Oct. 17 – 19. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the difference between a haiku and a homonym, this reimagined festival is for you! This year’s festival — three days designed to mobilize communities for racial and social justice, repair, and healing — is an exciting mash-up of conversations, readings, workshops, book signings and performances featuring more than 80 extraordinary poets and musicians. Award-winning poets participating in the festival include Claudia Rankine, Jericho Brown, Tyehimba Jess, Mahogany L. Browne, Afaa Michael Weaver and dozens more.
Ticketed events produced exclusively for Dodge Poetry include a conversation with activist and music icon Joan Baez, and the rap magic of Rakim of Eric B & Rakim fame and Dupre “Doitall” Kelly of Lords of the Underground – aka Newark’s West Ward Councilman. The legendary Nikki Giovanni will also make an appearance, accompanied by acclaimed jazz musicians—saxophonist Javon Jackson and bassist Christian McBride
Free Dodge Poetry events include an opening night mixer on Oct. 17, hosted by Newark’s own EvoluCulture at NICO Kitchen + Bar, and a Family Fun Day in Military Park on Oct. 19, which will fill the downtown green space with poetry, music, and family activities from 11AM to 4PM. A Community Catalyst stage will showcase regional poets, and there will also be face painting, a DJ, drag storytelling, and food truck vendors.
A one-day festival pass starts at $25. Limited seats are available for performances produced exclusively for Dodge Poetry. Visit njpac.org/dodge for the full schedule and to purchase tickets.
MAHOGANY L. BROWNE
CLAUDIA RANKINE
JERICHO BROWN
RAKIM
DUPRE “DOITALL” KELLY
TD James Moody Jazz Festival
Nov. 7 – 24, 2024
The TD James Moody Jazz Festival returns, Nov. 7 – 24, to various venues in downtown Newark. The 13th annual festival features a range of jazz-infused performances from living legends of funk (George Clinton, Vernon Reid, Nona Hendryx, and more) , Pulitzer Prize-winning percussionist Tyshawn Sorey (an alumnus of NJPAC’s arts education programs), and world-renowned interpreters of the Great American Songbook John Pizzarelli and Catherine Russell . Hear the best of today’s classical music when the New Jersey Symphony, Kronos Quartet, and Sandbox Percussion perform some cross-genre works.
Nov. 16, 2024
Popular community events at the festival include a WBGO Jazz Kids Event at Newark Symphony Hall. Don’t miss this free opportunity to share jazz, improvisation, and musical collaboration with young fans. Advance registration is required.
Nov. 21, 2024
Clement’s Place
A free Jazz Jam takes place at Clement’s Place on Nov. 21. Part of a monthly community engagement series, Jazz Jams invites musicians and singers of all levels to jam and improvise with a professional band. For the full TD James Moody Jazz Festival schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit njpac.org/jazz.
Nov. 23, 2024
Christian McBride
One of the most anticipated events of the 2024 festival takes place on Nov. 23 when Grammy Awardwinning bassist and NJPAC Jazz Advisor Christian McBride assembles a fierce lineup of vocalists — Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey, Lisa Fischer, and NEA Jazz Master Dianne Reeves — along with his Big Band to perform a preview of his new album, set to be released in 2025.
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE
PHILIP BAILEY
DIANNE REEVES
LISA FISCHER
GEORGE CLINTON
NONA HENDRYX
JOHN PIZZARELLI
TYSHAWN SOREY
VERNON REID
CATHERINE RUSSELL
Oct 17 – 19
The Dodge Poetry Festival takes over Downtown Newark this October with poetry, jazz, hip hop, activism and family fun.
Fri, Dec 6 @ 8PM
Smokey Robinson’s “Really Got a Hold on” NJPAC! The miraculous Motown star returns for a night of soulful hits.
Sun, Oct 27 @ 3PM
Rep. Liz Cheney (2017–2023) tackles big questions about democracy in this pre-election conversation.
with MC Kurtis Blow Sun, Dec 8 @ 2 & 7PM
NJPAC’s original holiday mash-up remixes Tchaikovsky’s ballet with supercharged hip hop dance (and some surprises)!
Dec 5 @ 7:30PM
Bring the family! A Magical Cirque Christmas features acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and more — with a holiday twist.
Sat, Dec 28 @ 10AM, 2PM & 6PM Sun, Dec 29 @ 10AM & 2PM
With bark-loads of interactive fun, PAW Patrol Live! A Mighty Adventure will leave tails wagging and kids cheering.
Joan Baez Jericho Brown Nikki Giovanni Tyehimba Jess