Newark, NJ

Newark, New Jersey is truly one of a kind, with an unmatched artistic legacy, but it has not always been treated that way. In the past, it has been treated like a cautionary tale due to the same racially charged ignorance that's plagued America and blighted working cities for over a century.

As such, the city struggles to retain the resources that young creatives need in order to stay in their city and not be lured into nearby New York. Additionally, Newark's workers in the institutional sectors (education, finance, etc.) find themselves commuting from nearby towns that offer more to their families.

Here's the thing: Newark is not a city in favor of anything resembling gentrification. This city has fought for everything they have and advocated for themselves when no one else would. They reject any sympathetic narrative and feel no need to be palatable to outsiders.

The challenge is to reframe Newark's cultural identity, address the perception problem, and unlock the overlooked legacy. This will be done by listening to Newarkers, giving them what they need to be great, and stepping out of the way.