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91-447: The story of gang members in Newark, New Jersey . The Washington Post called a 1978 staging of The Mighty Gents "An effective, generally first-class staging of Richard Wesley's drama." This article on a play is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Newark, New Jersey Newark ( / ˈ nj uː ər k / NEW -ərk , locally: [nʊɹk] )

182-498: A basic Google search to determine whether "Kailasa" was a real country or city. On February 19, 2024, Baraka announced that he would run for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election . He has called for a "progressive overhaul" in New Jersey, and his campaign agenda includes "reparations, sanctuary state laws, baby bonds, and [a] universal basic income". Following the death of U.S. Representative Donald Payne Jr. , who represented

273-454: A compromise bill that would have extended the status for two years. In May 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed a law that reinstated the program in these five cities and extended the expiration date in other zones. Newark is one of nine cities in New Jersey designated as eligible for Urban Transit Hub Tax Credits by the state's Economic Development Authority . Developers who invest a minimum of $ 50 million within 0.5 miles (0.8 km) of

364-467: A decline of nearly 40% as residents moved to surrounding suburbs. White flight from Newark to the suburbs started in the 1940s and accelerated in the 1960s, due in part to the construction of the Interstate Highway System . The 1967 riots resulted in a significant population loss of the city's middle class, many of them Jewish , which continued from the 1970s through to the 1990s. On net,

455-533: A developer of an aeroponic technology for farming moved its headquarters from Finger Lakes to Newark. By 2016, it had built the world's largest vertical farm in a Newark warehouse. The company was recognized in 2019 by Fast Company as one of the world's most innovative companies in data science . Broadridge Financial Solutions , a public FinTech company, announced a relocation of 1,000 jobs to Newark in 2017. In 2021, WebMD , an online publisher, announced that it will relocate and create up to 700 new jobs in

546-400: A household in 2000 was $ 26,913, and the median income for a family was $ 30,781. Males had a median income of $ 29,748 versus $ 25,734 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 13,009. 28.4% of the population and 25.5% of families were below the poverty line. 36.6% of those under the age of 18 and 24.1% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. The city's unemployment rate

637-428: A major courthouse venue including federal, state, and county facilities, it is home to more than 1,000 law firms. The city also has a significant number of college students, with nearly 50,000 attending the city's universities and medical and law schools. Its airport, maritime port, rail facilities, and highway network make Newark the busiest transshipment hub on the U.S. East Coast in terms of volume. Though Newark

728-511: A more recent designation for the area that was the subject of the 1968 novel Howard Street by Nathan Heard , is still in common usage. The Central Ward extends at one point as far north as 2nd Avenue. In the 19th century, the Central Ward was inhabited by Germans and other white Catholic and Protestant groups. The German inhabitants were later replaced by Jews , who were then replaced by African Americans. The increased academic footprint in

819-559: A reduced 3.3125% sales tax rate (half of the 6 + 5 ⁄ 8 % rate charged statewide) at eligible merchants. Established in January 1986, the city's Urban Enterprise Zone status expires in December 2023. The UEZ program in Newark and four other original UEZ cities had been allowed to lapse as of January 1, 2017, after Governor Chris Christie , who called the program an "abject failure", vetoed

910-434: A required oversight memorandum of understanding . The state will hire a private firm to oversee the city's financial management and compliance. The state will reduce budgets for the city clerk and expenses for council members as part of the agreement. In 2014, Baraka initiated a program, called Model Neighborhoods, intended to take a comprehensive approach to addressing the factors causing troubled neighborhoods. In 2014,

1001-407: A strategic location for data transfer between Manhattan and the rest of the country during the dot-com boom . At the same time, the city encouraged those companies to install more than they needed. A vacant department store was converted into a telecommunication center called 165 Halsey Street . It became one of the world's largest carrier hotels . As a result, after the dot-com bust, there were

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1092-526: A substantial portion of the middle class. Sunni , Shia and Ahmadiyya Muslims are the largest Islamic denominational demographic, though some Muslims in the area may be Quranists . Most Sunni mosques are members of the Islamic Society of North America . The Nation of Islam had a former mosque in Newark presided by Louis Farrakhan . A little over 1.2% practiced an eastern religion including Sikhism , Hinduism , and Buddhism . The remainder of Newark

1183-493: A surplus of dark fiber (unused fiber optic cables). Twenty years later, the city and other private companies began utilizing the dark fiber to create high performance networks within the city. Ras Baraka Ras Jua Baraka (born April 9, 1969 or 1970 ) is an American educator, author, and politician. A member of the Democratic Party , Baraka is the 40th and current mayor of Newark, New Jersey . First elected in

1274-408: A train station are eligible for pro-rated tax credit . The technology industry in Newark has grown significantly after Audible , an online audiobook and podcast company, moved its headquarters to Newark in 2007. The company was later acquired by Amazon . Panasonic moved its North America headquarters to the city in 2013. Other technology-focus companies followed suit. In 2015, AeroFarms ,

1365-427: A whole remains ethnically diverse. The West Ward comprises the neighborhoods of Vailsburg , Ivy Hill , West Side , Fairmount and Lower Roseville . It is home to the historic Fairmount Cemetery . The West Ward, once a predominantly Irish-American, Polish, and Ukrainian neighborhood, is now home to neighborhoods composed primarily of Latinos, African Americans, and Caribbean Americans . Relative to other parts of

1456-449: Is 31.5 inches (80 cm), though variations in weather patterns may bring sparse snowfall in some years and several major nor'easters in others, with the heaviest 24-hour fall of 25.9 inches (66 cm) occurring on December 26, 1947. Spring and autumn in the area are generally unstable yet mild. The July daily mean is 78.2 °F (25.7 °C), and highs exceed 90 °F (32 °C) on an average 28.3 days per year, not factoring in

1547-780: Is a destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife. A historically immigrant-dominated section of the city, the Ironbound in recent decades has been termed "Little Portugal" and "Little Brazil" due to its heavily Portuguese and Brazilian population, Newark being home to one of the largest Portuguese speaking communities in the United States. In addition, the East Ward has become home to various Latin Americans , especially Ecuadorians, Peruvians, and Colombians, alongside Puerto Ricans, African Americans, and commuters to Manhattan . Public education in

1638-494: Is divided into five political wards , which are often used by residents to identify their place of habitation. In recent years, residents have begun to identify with specific neighborhood names instead of the larger ward appellations. Nevertheless, the wards remain relatively distinct. Industrial uses, coupled with the airport and seaport lands, are concentrated in the East and South wards, while residential neighborhoods exist primarily in

1729-795: Is dominated by the Church of God in Christ and Assemblies of God USA . 0.9% of Christians in the city and nearby suburbs identify as Anglican or Episcopalian . Most are served by the Newark Diocese of the Episcopal Church in the United States . The remainder identified with Continuing Anglican or Evangelical Episcopal bodies including the Reformed Episcopal Church and Anglican Church in North America . ACNA and REC-affiliated churches form

1820-413: Is estimated that more than 50% of Newark homes are financed by underwater mortgages, partially as a result of the 2010 United States foreclosure crisis . The Newark Watershed comprises 35,000 acres of reservoirs and water treatment and supply systems for more than 500,000 customers in northern New Jersey including Newark and neighboring Belleville, Elizabeth, Bloomfield and Nutley. It is considered one of

1911-851: Is headquartered in the city. Its episcopal seat is the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart . Eastern Catholics in the area are served by the Syriac Catholic Eparchy of Our Lady of Deliverance of Newark , an eparchy of the Syriac Catholic Church , and by the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Baptist churches in Newark are affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA , Progressive National Baptist Convention ,

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2002-505: Is in the South Ward, as are seventeen public schools, five daycare centers, three branch libraries, one police precinct, a mini-precinct, and three fire houses. The East Ward consists of much of Newark's Downtown commercial district, as well as the Ironbound neighborhood, where much of Newark's industry was in the 19th century. Today, the Ironbound (also known as "Down Neck" and "The Neck")

2093-465: Is not the industrial colossus of the past, the city does have a considerable amount of industry and light manufacturing. The southern portion of the Ironbound , also known as the Industrial Meadowlands, has seen many factories built since World War II , including a large Anheuser-Busch brewery that opened in 1951 and distributed 7.5 million barrels of beer in 2007. Grain comes into

2184-529: Is one of the oldest cities in the United States. Its location at the mouth of the Passaic River , where it flows into Newark Bay , has made the city's waterfront an integral part of the Port of New York and New Jersey . Port Newark–Elizabeth is the primary container shipping terminal of the busiest seaport on the U.S. East Coast . Newark Liberty International Airport was the first municipal commercial airport in

2275-486: Is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey , the county seat of Essex County , and a principal city of the New York metropolitan area . As of the 2020 census , the city's population was 311,549. The Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 304,960 for 2023, making it the 66th-most populous municipality in the nation. Settled in 1666 by Puritans from New Haven Colony , Newark

2366-546: Is the oldest county park in the United States and is home to the nation's largest collection of cherry blossom trees, numbering over 5,000. Newark is divided into five political wards (East, West, South, North and Central). The majority of Black residents reside in the South, Central, and West Wards of the city, while the North and East Wards are mostly populated by Latinos. Ras Baraka has served as mayor of Newark since 2014. Newark

2457-547: The 10th congressional district , Baraka was mentioned as a potential candidate in the upcoming special election. However, Baraka affirmed that he would not run for the seat and would continue to mount his gubernatorial candidacy. Baraka is the father of three daughters: Amandla, Assata, and Raisa. In 2019, Baraka married political consultant Linda Jumah. Baraka and Jumah had a son, Jua Nyamekye Imamu Kofi Baraka, in 2019. Through his father, some of Baraka's half-sisters are Kellie and Lisa Jones and Dominique di Prima . (Jones

2548-512: The 2014 election, he was sworn into office on May 13, 2014, and was reelected in 2018 and 2022 . Prior to his election as mayor, he served on the Municipal Council of Newark and as principal of the city's Central High School . Baraka is a candidate for governor of New Jersey in the 2025 election . A Newark native, Baraka is the son of poet and activist Amiri Baraka (born Everett Leroy Jones) and his wife Amina Baraka . Baraka

2639-656: The American Community Survey 's 2018 estimates, non-Hispanic whites made up 8.9% of the population. Black or African Americans were 47.0% of the population, Asian Americans were 2.1%, some other race 1.6%, and multiracial Americans 1.1%. Hispanics or Latinos of any race made up 39.2% of the city's population in 2018. In 2010, 35.74% of the population was white, 58.86% African American, 3.99% Native American or Alaska Native, 2.19% Asian, .01% Pacific Islander, 10.4% from other races, and 10.95% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race made up 33.39% of

2730-604: The Communication Workers of America , a trade union which counts 2000 members living, and thousands more working in Newark, endorsed Baraka. In February 2014 he received the endorsement of former New Jersey governor Richard Codey and Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop . In March he was endorsed by 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East . On May 13, 2014, Baraka was elected mayor of Newark. Official results show that of 44,951 ballots cast, he received 24,358 to Jeffries' 20,593. He succeeds Luis A. Quintana , after completing

2821-792: The Diocese of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic . 0.6% of Christians are members of the Latter Day Saint movement , followed by Lutherans (0.2%). 3.0% of the city's Christian populace were of other Christian denominations including the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, Independent sacramental churches , the Jehovah's Witnesses , non-denominational Protestants , and the United Church of Christ . The largest Eastern Orthodox jurisdictions in Newark include

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2912-477: The Dominican Republic . There is a significant Portuguese-speaking community concentrated in the Ironbound district. 2000 census data showed that Newark had 15,801 residents of Portuguese ancestry (5.8% of the population), while an additional 5,805 (2.1% of the total) were of Brazilian ancestry. In advance of the 2000 census , city officials made a push to encourage residents to respond and participate in

3003-582: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ( Ecumenical Patriarchate ) and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey ( Orthodox Church in America ). The largest Oriental Orthodox bodies include the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria and Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church . Judaism and Islam were tied as the second-largest religious community (3.0%). Up to 1967, Jewish Americans formed

3094-652: The National Baptist Convention of America , and National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc . Following, 2.4% identified with Methodism and the United Methodist Church and African Methodist Episcopal and AME Zion churches. 1.6% of Christian Newarkers are Presbyterian and 1.3% identified as Pentecostal . The Presbyterian community is dominated by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and Presbyterian Church in America . The Pentecostal community

3185-764: The New Jersey Institute of Technology ; and Seton Hall University's law school . Newark is a home to numerous governmental offices, largely concentrated at Government Center and the Essex County Government Complex . Cultural venues include the New Jersey Performing Arts Center , Newark Symphony Hall , the Prudential Center , The Newark Museum of Art , and the New Jersey Historical Society . Branch Brook Park

3276-469: The United States Census Bureau , the city had a total area of 25.89 square miles (67.1 km ), including 24.14 square miles (62.5 km ) of land and 1.74 square miles (4.5 km ) of water (6.72%). It has the third-smallest land area among the 100 most populous cities in the U.S., behind neighboring Jersey City and Hialeah, Florida . The city's altitude ranges from 0 (sea level) in

3367-474: The city's neighborhoods . Poverty remains a consistent problem in Newark. As of 2010, roughly one-third of the city's population was impoverished. Portions of Newark are part of an Urban Enterprise Zone . The city was selected in 1983 as one of the initial group of 10 zones chosen to participate in the program. In addition to other benefits to encourage employment within the Zone, shoppers can take advantage of

3458-560: The municipal council , was duped by Swami Nithyananda , a scam artist who is wanted in India on rape charges. City officials, including Baraka, took photos and signed documents to make Newark a "sister city" with "Kailasa". Baraka was not aware of the scam until after an official ceremony had been held. Newark City Hall called the scam a "regrettable incident," a council member referred to it as an "oversight," and Newark residents expressed embarrassment that city officials did not bother to perform

3549-577: The "Gateway City". The city borders the municipalities of Belleville , Bloomfield , East Orange , Irvington , Maplewood and South Orange in Essex County; Bayonne , East Newark , Harrison , Jersey City and Kearny in Hudson County ; and Elizabeth and Hillside in Union County . Newark is the second-most racially diverse municipality in the state, behind neighboring Jersey City . It

3640-454: The 19th century and early 20th century, and experienced racial tension and urban decline in the second half of the 20th century, culminating in the 1967 Newark riots , which led to an increase in white flight , with 100,000 white residents leaving the city in the 1960s, though the exodus of white residents from the city had started after World War II as housing availability was limited in the city, while white residents were able to buy homes in

3731-479: The 2014 mayoral election, mainly for failure to fully disclose the source of $ 396,000 in campaign donations in the expensive and tightly contested campaign. In March 2023, Baraka invited supposed representatives of "Kailasa", a non-existent country, to Newark's City Hall to enter a "cultural trade agreement" and become sister cities . Kailasa was alleged to be a Hindu island nation off the coast of Ecuador, which had been bought by Swami Nithayandha. Baraka, along with

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3822-644: The East Ward consists of East Side High School and six elementary schools. The ward is densely packed, with well-maintained housing and streets, primarily large apartment buildings and rowhouses . Newark lies in the transition between a humid subtropical and humid continental climate ( Köppen Cfa/Dfa ), with cold winters and hot humid summers. The January daily mean is 32.8 °F (0.4 °C), and although temperatures below 10 °F (−12 °C) are to be expected in most years, sub-0 °F (−18 °C) readings are rare; conversely, some days may warm up to 50 °F (10 °C). The average seasonal snowfall

3913-629: The East and Central wards. The boundaries of the wards are altered for various political and demographic reasons and sometimes gerrymandered . Newark's Central Ward, formerly known as the old Third Ward, contains much of the city's history including the original squares Lincoln Park , Military Park and Harriet Tubman Square . The ward contains the University Heights , The Coast , historic Grace Episcopal Church , Government Center , Springfield/Belmont and Seventh Avenue neighborhoods. Of these neighborhood designations only University Heights,

4004-454: The Forest Hill neighborhood. The North Ward has lost geographic area in recent times; its southern boundary is now significantly further north than the traditional boundary near Interstate 280 . The North Ward had its own Little Italy, centered on heavily Italian Seventh Avenue and the area of St. Lucy's Church ; demographics have transitioned to Latino in recent decades, though the ward as

4095-454: The NJ Turnpike. Newark had a population of 311,549 in 2020. The Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 305,344 for 2022, making Newark the 66th-most populous municipality in the nation. The city was ranked 67th in population in 2010 and 63rd in 2000. From 2000 to 2010, the increase of 3,594 inhabitants (+1.3%) from the 273,546 counted in the 2000 U.S. census marked

4186-515: The North, Central, and West Wards. State law requires that wards be compact and contiguous and that the largest ward may not exceed the population of the smallest by more than 10% of the average ward size. Ward boundaries are redrawn, as needed, by a board of ward commissioners consisting of two Democrats and two Republicans appointed at the county level and the municipal clerk. Redrawing of ward lines in previous decades have shifted traditional boundaries, so that downtown currently occupies portions of

4277-508: The United States and has become one of the busiest. Several companies are headquartered in Newark, including Prudential , PSEG , Panasonic Corporation of North America , Audible.com , IDT Corporation , Manischewitz , and AeroFarms . Higher education institutions in the city include the Newark campus of Rutgers University , which includes law and medical schools and the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies ; University Hospital ;

4368-462: The University Heights neighborhood has produced gentrification , with landmark buildings undergoing renovation. Located in the Central Ward is the nation's largest health sciences university, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School . It is also home to three other universities – New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Rutgers University – Newark , and Essex County College . The Central Ward forms

4459-490: The city and lost roughly $ 1.8 billion in home values. At that time about 9,000 Newark residents were "underwater", where payment balances are higher than the fair market value of the property. In May 2014, Baraka introduced a resolution adopted by the municipal council that would affect an estimated one thousand Newark homeowners threatened with foreclosure, giving the city legal authority to purchase home with underwater mortgages through eminent domain and refinancing them. it

4550-565: The city initiated a Valentine's Day building lot sale in which married couples could purchase housing plots in the city for $ 1,000, provided they built a house on the lot within 18 months. Nearly 100 plots were sold; as of 2015, few had been built on, due to insufficient financing. In November 2017, Baraka and his campaign treasurer were issued a 28-count complaint by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission , alleging they violated campaign finance rules in

4641-462: The city is thought to derive from Newark-on-Trent , England, because of the influence of the original pastor, Abraham Pierson , who came from Yorkshire but may have ministered in Newark, Nottinghamshire . But Pierson is also supposed to have said that the community reflecting the new task at hand should be named "New Ark" for "New Ark of the Covenant" and some of the colonists saw it as "New-Work",

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4732-655: The city lost about 130,000 residents between 1960 and 1990. At the 2010 census, there were 91,414 households, and 62,239 families in Newark. There were 108,907 housing units at an average density of 4,552.5 per square mile (1,757.7/km ). In 2000, there were 273,546 people, 91,382 households, and 61,956 families residing in the city. The population density was 11,495.0 inhabitants per square mile (4,438.2/km ). There were 100,141 housing units at an average density of 4,208.1 per square mile (1,624.6//km ). The U.S. Census Bureau's 2006–2010 American Community Survey showed that (in 2010 inflation-adjusted dollars) median household income

4823-552: The city must continue to fund the agency during the process. In 2019 the Ras Baraka administration began a massive effort to replace lead water pipes that were causing lead in drinking water to exceed federal limits. By spring of 2021, local officials had removed more than 20,000 lead service lines. In August 2014, citing a $ 30 million deficit in the city's 2013 budget and an anticipated $ 60 million deficit for 2014, Baraka said that Newark would likely have to ask for emergency aid from

4914-466: The city recorded 41 homicides. A surge of violence in the second half of 2013 pushed the homicide total to 111, the most since 1990. In 2019 and 2020 the city had 51 homicides. In Fall 2014, Baraka started the Model Neighborhood initiative, which increased police presence in troubled neighborhoods. Between 2008 and mid-2013, 6,810 homes were foreclosed in Newark, and citywide, and homeowners in

5005-584: The city's greatest assets. A New Jersey State Comptroller report issued in February 2014 revealed irregularities and corruption within the Newark Watershed and Development Corporation, which is the process of being dismantled after being taken over by the city. In March 2014, Baraka called for a forensic audit of the agency. Despite protestations from the city council, in April 2014 a Superior Court judge ruled that

5096-556: The city, the West Ward has for many decades struggled with elevated rates of crime, particularly violent crime. The South Ward comprises the Weequahic , Clinton Hill , Dayton , and South Broad Valley neighborhoods. The South Ward, once home to residents of predominantly Jewish descent, now has ethnic neighborhoods made up primarily of African Americans and Hispanics . The city's second-largest hospital, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center ,

5187-558: The city, while Prudential still has its home office in Newark. Many other companies are headquartered in the city, including IDT Corporation , NJ Transit , Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), Manischewitz , Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey , and Edison Properties . After the election of Cory Booker as mayor, millions of dollars of public-private partnership investment were made in Downtown development, but persistent underemployment continue to characterize many of

5278-456: The city. In 2018, Newark was selected as one of 20 finalists for the location of Amazon HQ2 , a new headquarters of Amazon. The advantages of Newark included proximity to New York City , lower land costs, tech labor force and higher education institutions, a major airport, and fiber optic networks. The extensive fiber optic networks in Newark started in the 1990s when telecommunication companies installed fiber optic network to put Newark as

5369-409: The district's schools that she has determined are underutilized. The plan has met with stiff resistance from large segments of Newark's population, with critics saying there was no evidence it will increase student performance. The plan would also include teacher lay-offs. While there is some agreement with many of the policies being implemented in the program, the disregard for community input and

5460-418: The east to approximately 230 feet (70 m) above sea level in the western section of the city for an average elevation of 115 feet (35 m). Newark is essentially a large basin sloping towards the Passaic River , with a few valleys formed by meandering streams. Historically, Newark's high places have been its wealthier neighborhoods. In the 19th century and early 20th century, the wealthy congregated on

5551-542: The enumeration, citing calculations by city officials that as many as 30,000 people were not reflected in estimates by the Census Bureau , which resulted in the loss of government aid and political representation. It is believed that heavily immigrant areas of Newark were significantly undercounted in the 2010 census, especially in the East Ward. Many households refused to participate in the census, with immigrants often reluctant to submit census forms because they believed that

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5642-511: The facility by rail. The service industry is also growing rapidly, replacing those in the manufacturing industry, which was once Newark's primary economy. In addition, transportation has become a large business in Newark, accounting for more than 17,000 jobs in 2011. Newark is the third-largest insurance center in the United States, behind New York City and Hartford, Connecticut . Prudential Financial , Mutual Benefit Life , Fireman's Insurance , and American Insurance Company all originated in

5733-536: The growth of the port lands. Newark is surrounded by residential suburbs to the west (on the slope of the Watchung Mountains ), the Passaic River and Newark Bay to the east, dense urban areas to the south and southwest, and middle-class residential suburbs and industrial areas to the north. The city is the largest in New Jersey's Gateway Region , which is said to have received its name from Newark's nickname as

5824-695: The information could be used to justify their deportation. At one time, there was an Italian American community in the Seventh Avenue neighborhood. Roughly 60% of Newarkers identified with a religion as of 2020. The largest Christian group in Newark is the Catholic Church (34.3%), followed by Baptists (5.2%). The city's Catholic population are divided into Latin and Eastern Catholics . The Latin Church-based Archdiocese of Newark , serving Bergen , Essex , Hudson and Union counties,

5915-526: The life of his late sister, Shani Baraka, who had been fatally shot in 2003. He had read as part of the city's Dodge Poetry Festival . Baraka has participated in the National Political Hip-Hop Convention. In 2019, Baraka released the spoken word video What We Want . Between 2002 and 2006 Baraka was Newark Municipal Council member and in 2002 was appointed deputy mayor, and served that position until 2005. In November 2005, Baraka

6006-425: The local advisory board its first formal vote on the district's nearly $ 1 billion in annual spending. The state retains the right to veto any action of the local board and has the final say in appointing the superintendent of the district. Baraka, as an outspoken advocate of returning control of Newark's schools to local authority, has called for the ouster of state-appointed Superintendent Anderson. Anderson's contract

6097-443: The most progressive Democrats in New Jersey, and possibly the nation". During his tenure as mayor, Baraka has earned praise for improving Newark's economic prospects. The Newark Public Schools system (serving approximately 40,000 students) was placed under state control in 1994. Newark is one of 31 Abbott districts . The state is required to cover all costs for school building and renovation projects in these districts under

6188-524: The often higher heat index . Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year with the summer months being the wettest and fall months being the driest. The city receives precipitation ranging from 2.9 to 4.6 inches (74 to 117 mm) per month, usually falling on 8 to 12 days per month. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −14 °F (−26 °C) on February 9, 1934, to 108 °F (42 °C) on July 22, 2011. The January freezing isotherm that separates Newark into Dfa and Cfa zones approximates

6279-449: The pace of change has drawn criticism. The plan will require some students to leave their neighborhoods and travel across the city, with many parents fearing for their safety. Baraka ran for election with a campaign to take back local control of the schools. In May 2014, Newark, which already had control of operations (includes student transportation and other support services), was granted local powers over budget and finance, giving

6370-538: The population at the 2010 U.S. census. The racial makeup of the city in 2000 was 53.46% (146,250) black or African American, 26.52% (72,537) white, 1.19% (3,263) Asian, 0.37% (1,005) Native American, 0.05% (135) Pacific Islander, 14.05% (38,430) from other races, and 4.36% (11,926) from two or more races. 29.47% (80,622) of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 49.2% of the city's 80,622 residents who identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino were from Puerto Rico , while 9.4% were from Ecuador and 7.8% from

6461-663: The present-day heart of Newark, and includes 26 public schools, two police precincts, including headquarters, four firehouses, and one branch library. The North Ward is surrounded by Branch Brook Park . Its neighborhoods include Broadway , Mount Pleasant , Upper Roseville and the affluent Forest Hill section. Forest Hill contains the Forest Hill Historic District, which is registered on state and national historic registers, and contains many older mansions and colonial homes . A row of residential towers with security guards and secure parking line Mt. Prospect Avenue in

6552-810: The resignation of Cami Anderson, the state-appointed superintendent. Anderson resigned in June 2015. While Anderson's resignation made the situation less politically volatile, Baraka opposes the creation of more charter schools, and believes they come at the expense of public schools. In October 2013 Baraka introduced his program to deal with crime and gang violence in the city, the Ras Baraka Blueprint to Reduce Crime and Violence in Newark. It includes "Project Chill", which incorporates elements similar to Boston's Operation Ceasefire and other engagement with gang members and intervention programs. As of June 30 there had been 43 homicides in 2014. In 2013 through June 30,

6643-511: The ridges of Forest Hill, High Street, and Weequahic. Until the 20th century, the marshes on Newark Bay were difficult to develop, as the marshes were essentially wilderness, with a few dumps, warehouses, and cemeteries on their edges. During the 20th century, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was able to reclaim 68 acres (28 ha) of the marshland for the further expansion of Newark Liberty International Airport , as well as

6734-422: The second census in 70 years in which the city's population had grown from the previous enumeration. This trend continued in 2020, where Newark had an increase of 34,409 (12.4%) from the 277,140 counted in the 2010 census , the largest percentage increase in 100 years. After reaching a peak of 442,337 residents counted in the 1930 census , and a post-war population of 438,776 in 1950, the city's population saw

6825-511: The settlers' new work with God. Whatever the origins, the name was shortened to Newark, although references to the name "New Ark" are found in preserved letters written by historical figures such as David A. Ogden in his claim for compensation, and James McHenry , as late as 1787. During the American Revolutionary War , British troops made several raids into the town. The city saw tremendous industrial and population growth during

6916-537: The state, which, if received, would require state oversight and involvement in the city's financial affairs. As of September 2014, the state's Local Finance Board, overseen by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs , had not taken action. That same month, the city auctioned properties, most of which had been foreclosed, in an attempt to raise funds. The state's Department of Community Affairs awarded Newark $ 10 million in transitional aid, which comes with

7007-612: The supervision of the New Jersey Schools Development Authority . In 2010, Mark Zuckerberg , the founder of Facebook, donated $ 100 million of his personal fortune through his foundation StartUp Education to the Newark school system. Release of the funds required matching funds, which were mostly raised through the Foundation for Newark's Future and have largely been spent, though funds remain. Teams of consultants have suggested numerous management reforms from

7098-875: The term of Cory Booker , who had resigned after being elected to the United States Senate in October 2013. Baraka was sworn in as the city's 40th mayor by former Governor of New Jersey Richard Codey at ceremonies at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on July 1, 2014, for a four-year term. Baraka was re-elected in 2018 and 2022. Soon after winning the 2014 election, Baraka initiated meetings with Cory Booker on May 19 with Governor Chris Christie , and Essex Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. on May 21. On May 28, 2014, Baraka announced his transition team, headed by former mayor Kenneth Gibson . Baraka appointed his brother, Amiri "Middy" Baraka, Jr. as his chief of staff. Politico has described Baraka as "one of

7189-483: The top down, but according to Ras Baraka, echoing concerns of many residents, they have ignored the community and the needs of children and wishes of families in the neighborhoods . A restructuring program called One Newark calls for the closure of some public schools and the opening of more charter schools (some in public school buildings). The reorganization, spearheaded by state-appointed Superintendent Cami Anderson, would relocate, consolidate or close one quarter of

7280-409: The western suburbs of Essex County, where the population grew rapidly. The city has experienced revitalization since the 1990s, with major office, arts and sports projects representing $ 2 billion in investment. The city's population, which had dropped by more than a third from 1950 to its post-war low in 2000, has since rebounded, with 38,000 new residents added from 2000 to 2020. According to

7371-402: Was spiritual but not religious , agnostic , deistic , or atheist , though some Newarkers identified with neo-pagan religions including Wicca and other smaller new religious movements . More than 100,000 people commute to Newark each workday, making it the state's largest employment center with many white-collar jobs in insurance, finance, import-export, healthcare , and government. As

7462-436: Was $ 35,659 (with a margin of error of +/- $ 1,009) and the median family income was $ 41,684 (+/- $ 1,116). Males had a median income of $ 34,350 (+/- $ 1,015) versus $ 32,865 (+/- $ 973) for females. The per capita income for the township was $ 17,367 (+/- $ 364). About 22% of families and 25% of the population were below the poverty line , including 34.9% of those under age 18 and 22.4% of those age 65 or over. The median income for

7553-690: Was 24 years old, in 1994 . Baraka ran in the 2014 Newark mayoral election against former Assistant State Attorney General Shavar Jeffries , after fellow council members Anibal Ramos, Jr. and Darrin S. Sharif dropped out of the race. In August 2013, fellow council members Mildred C. Crump and Ronald C. Rice issued statements formally backing Baraka's candidacy. Baraka's slate for the municipal council included John Sharpe James (council member-at-large running for South Ward), Mildred C. Crump (council member at-large incumbent), Alturrick Kenney (at-large candidate), Patrick Council (at-large candidate) and Joe McCallum (West Ward candidate). In December 2013,

7644-427: Was 8.5%. From the 1950s to 1967, Newark's non-Hispanic white population shrank from 363,000 to 158,000; its black population grew from 70,000 to 220,000. The percentage of non-Hispanic whites declined from 82.8% in 1950 to 11.6% by 2010. The percentage of Latinos and Hispanics in Newark grew between 1980 and 2010, from 18.6% to 33.8% while that of Blacks and African Americans decreased from 58.2% to 52.4%. At

7735-752: Was educated in the Newark Public Schools , attending University High School . He subsequently earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Howard University in Washington, DC, and a Master of Arts in Education Supervision from St. Peter's University in Jersey City, New Jersey . Baraka was the principal of Central High School from 2007 until 2013. Baraka edited In the tradition: an anthology of young Black writers (1992). Baraka

7826-541: Was featured on singer Lauryn Hill 's 1998 The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill , as the narrator of several interludes on the album. He also recorded the intro to The Score , the Fugees ' second album. Baraka and Hill recorded an unreleased single together entitled "Hot Beverage in the Winter", which later featured on his spoken-word album Shorty for Mayor . Baraka dedicated his collection of poems Black Girls Learn Love Hard to

7917-564: Was incorporated on February 21, 1798, by the New Jersey Legislature 's Township Act of 1798 , as one of New Jersey's initial group of 104 townships. During its time as a township, portions were taken to form Springfield Township (April 14, 1794), Caldwell Township (February 16, 1798; now known as Fairfield Township ), Orange Township (November 27, 1806), Bloomfield Township (March 23, 1812) and Clinton Township (April 14, 1834, remainder reabsorbed by Newark on March 5, 1902). Newark

8008-403: Was reincorporated as a city on April 11, 1836, replacing Newark Township, based on the results of a referendum passed on March 18, 1836. The previously independent Vailsburg borough was annexed by Newark on January 1, 1905. In 1926, South Orange Township changed its name to Maplewood. As a result of this, a portion of Maplewood known as Ivy Hill was re-annexed to Newark's Vailsburg. The name of

8099-548: Was renewed in June 2014. A discrimination complaint filed on behalf of Newark parents and the Newark branch of New Jersey's Parents Unified for Local School Education (PULSE) claims that 86 percent of the students affected by "One Newark" changes are African American, while African-American students make up 51 percent of the entire district. The allegation is being investigated by the United States Department of Education 's Office of Civil Rights. Baraka has called for

8190-547: Was settled in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans led by Robert Treat from the New Haven Colony . It was conceived as a theocratic assembly of the faithful, though this did not last for long as new settlers came with different ideas. On October 31, 1693, it was organized as a New Jersey township based on the Newark Tract, which was first purchased on July 11, 1667. Newark was granted a royal charter on April 27, 1713. It

8281-505: Was voted to complete the term vacated by the deceased Councilmember-at-Large Donald Kofi Tucker . In May 2010 he defeated then-councilman Oscar James II in a highly contested election, on a platform critical of Mayor Cory Booker . The election was documented on the Sundance reality television series Brick City , which stars Booker, Baraka and other Newark political and residential figures. Baraka ran his first campaign for mayor when he

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