Newark Alliance Marks 25 Years of Transforming Newark’s Future

Newark, October 9, 2024

Celebrating 25 years, the Newark Alliance gathered business, academic, and government leaders to honor its impact on education, public safety, and economic development in Newark.

Reflecting on the Alliance’s role in reshaping the city, Mayor Ras Baraka credited the late Al Koeppe, a founding member, for helping him connect with business leaders early in his tenure. “He introduced me to the people I needed to meet,” Baraka said, attributing Newark’s economic growth to these relationships.

The Alliance’s work has fueled transformative projects like the Prudential Center and the “Hire, Buy, Live” initiative, creating over 2,000 local jobs. Speakers emphasized the Alliance’s impact on individuals, with Newark Beth Israel CEO Darrell Terry describing how hiring Newark residents uplifted both the community and the hospital: “It’s been wildly successful.”

Looking ahead, CEO Evan Weiss outlined new goals: supporting Black-owned businesses, expanding broadband, and addressing homelessness. “The Newark Alliance shows it’s possible to meet big challenges if you have the right people,” he said.

For 25 years, the Newark Alliance has proven that transforming Newark’s future starts with empowering its people.

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