Black
Darryl Rochester
After graduating from Weequahic High School in 1971, Darryl Wayne Rochester (March 27, 1953-December 8, 2020) studied dance under the tutelage of Kay Thompson Payne, co-owner of the then well-known Thompson Dance Studio of Newark. He became one of her star pupils. One evening Kay invited Darryl to accompany her to her dance class at the Dance Theater of Harlem in New York. The experience was very intimidating and he left there feeling somewhat inadequate and less confident in his ability as a dancer. Darryl had an urgent feeling to obtain additional training in dance from a highly...
Kiyan Williams
Kiyan Williams is a multidisciplinary artist from Newark, NJ who works fluidly across sculpture, performance, and video. Kiyan graduated from Science Park High School and went on to earn a BA with honors from Stanford University and an MFA in Visual Art from Columbia University. Their work has been exhibited at SculptureCenter, The Jewish Museum, Brooklyn Museum, and The Shed. They have given artist talks and lectures at The Guggenheim, The Studio Museum in Harlem, Princeton University, Stanford University, Virginia Commonwealth University Portland State University, and Pratt Institute....Deion Session
Deion Amar “Dee Amar” Session. I rep Newark for life. Rutgers University: Newark. Unapologetically Black & Queer. Live your truth!Kareem Willis
Kareem Willis is a scholar, activist and proud member of the LGBTQ Community. As a Ph.D student currently enrolled in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University- Newark, Kareem is learning how to harness his passion for social advocacy,change and empowerment for the betterment of the lives of other persons. As a nonprofit enthusiast, hisfocus is on researching methods that nonprofit organizations and others charged with fulfilling the public good can deploy to better maximize their impact. This research initiative is important as nonprofits will need to craft more...Tiney Pringle
Tiney Pringle was born and raised in Newark. In her oral history, she discusses growing up butch in the city, including touring with a basketball team of all self-identified butch players in and around the tri-state area. She also speaks about her experiences in the club scene in the 1980s, as well as friendships and relationships in Newark, such as that with fellow narrator Carol Glassman. Tiney is an artist who works with paint and ceramics, and an athlete who has participated in softball, basketball, and football leagues.Click on photo to view image gallery
Larry Lyons
Larry Lyons has lectured and taught courses in 20th Century American literature, sociology and composition at Rutgers and Princeton University. As an independent consultant, he provides writing, editing and creative services for clients in education, public relations, non-profits and the arts including: branding, campaign design, communications strategy, copywriting, grant writing, archival research, and volunteer management. He is also the founder and creative director of Brick City Varsity, a Newark-based photography studio and vintage clothier.Amina Baraka
Born Sylvia Robinson, born 1942, in Charlotte, North Carolina – multi-talented artist (dancer, actress, singer/poet, and political activist).Parents Ruth (garment worker) and James C Robinson were divorced when she was five. She was sent to her grandparents, Leona (domestic worker) and Patrick Bacote (construction worker). Sylvia grew up in Newark, New Jersey. She attended Arts High School where she majored in Art.
Sylvia early in life developed a love and respect for the working class and the labor union movement.
In 1960, Sylvia married Walter...
Noelle Lorraine Williams
Noelle Lorraine Williams is an artist whose life's work exemplifies her continued interest in engaging individuals in conversations about community and spirituality using art, history and contemporary culture.
She was born in Jersey City in 1975 and moved to 16th Avenue and 21st street on the borderline between Newark/Irvington in 1987. She lives, works and studies in Newark currently.
Over the past thirty years, Noelle Lorraine...
Jasmine Mans
Jasmine Mans is an artist who calls Newark her home and celebrates the childhood she there spent through her poetry. As an author, performer, poet, and teacher, Jasmine uses a variety of mediums and means, such as books, videos, live performances, and social media to serve as a platform to speak on behalf of others and her community. She recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2014 with a Bachelor’s in African-American Studies, and is now traveling the world as a poet. Her work has received a multitude of awards from the Star Ledger-NJPAC, Arts Millennia, and the New York...Kevin E. Taylor
Kevin E. Taylor is working on his greatness while he inspires you to walk in yours! He’s a noted author (JADED, UNCLUTTER, BECAUSE HE LIVES, IT’S TIME FOR SOME ACTION, ENVY: the darkest shade of green, GET OFF YOUR ASS AND DO SOMETHING and MEET THE HENDERSONS). He’s a pastor (Senior Pastor of Unity Fellowship Church NewArk now and Unity Fellowship Church New Brunswick for 12 years). He’s a writer and producer for television (22 years in television and more than 20 years running TaylorMadeMultiMedia (TM3), his own video production company. He is a lecturer/empowerment speaker, who has...