(NEWARK, NJ) -- On Thursday, September 19, 2024, Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA), in partnership with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), hosted a spectacular evening of live jazz, culture, and community spirit at the Clinton Avenue Sound Stage. The second annual Jazz in the Streets event, continuing CHCA's 5th anniversary celebrations, drew over 400 attendees, making it CHCA's largest event to date. Taking place on the same day as Halsey Fest, Jazz in the Streets underscored the message that there is room in Newark's outer wards for vibrant arts programming that residents can enjoy right at their doorsteps.

The night was a vibrant celebration of the power of arts and culture to unite and uplift the South Ward. Attendees, dresses in their best Roaring 20’s  attire enjoyed live performances from renowned jazz musicians Gail Campbell as an opening act  and headliner, Carrie Jackson, both proud South Ward residents and lifelong Newarkers, adding a special local flair to the evening. The event also featured delicious food and an inspiring atmosphere of community togetherness.

Councilman Patrick O. Council, who sponsored the stage and venue for the event, was in attendance and praised CHCA’s work, stating, “Wherever the city of Newark is going, the South Ward is going to get it there first.” His words highlighted the crucial role CHCA plays in driving positive change within the community. The significance of hosting the event on Clinton Avenue, a historic corridor of the South Ward, underscored the commitment to reclaiming public spaces for community joy and connection.

Local support came from various organizations, including the Newark Police Department’s 5th Precinct, CHCA Seniors in Action, Newark Beth Israel Hospital, South Ward Environmental Alliance, South Ward SID, and several neighborhood block associations such as Osborne Terrace, Bridging The Blocks, 10th Street Block Association, The Number Block Collective, Clinton Place, 16th Street Block Association, 17th & 18th Street Neighborhood Association, Girard and Randolph Place Block Association, and the C. Cherry Foundation. These partnerships, along with the 5th Precinct’s captain’s wife providing her homemade empanadas, highlighted the collective effort to create an inclusive and welcoming event.

CHCA’s Executive Director, Khaatim Sherrer-El, energized the crowd with a powerful speech, stating, “This moment is special because we are changing people’s mindsets about what to expect in our own backyard. We are saying as a community we deserve to have safe, quality experiences where we can meet our neighbors and meet new friends. This neighborhood will not be defined by an unemployment rate or a crime rate. This neighborhood will be defined by what we come together and do for ourselves.”

Adding to this sentiment, CHCA Deputy Director Rhenotha Whitaker emphasized the importance of events like these, saying, “Clinton Hill residents deserve these kinds of events that celebrate our culture and our community. We are showing that we can create beautiful, safe spaces right here on Clinton Ave where our history and future intersect.”

Jazz in the Streets wasn’t just a concert; it was a celebration of CHCA’s five years of dedicated service and partnership with the community. This event marked a significant milestone in CHCA’s ongoing mission to bring high-quality arts, culture, and resources directly to the residents of Clinton Hill, empowering them to be the change they want to see in their neighborhood.

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As CHCA continues to celebrate its 5th anniversary, they invite everyone to join them in experiencing the positive impact they are having on the community. For more information about Jazz in the Streets or upcoming events, follow them on Facebook.

Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) is a nonprofit, community development organization that engages residents and partners to revitalize the Clinton Hill neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward. We believe this work must be led by residents, alongside partners who understand the centrality of the role of residents in naming challenges, identifying solutions that are most responsive to their hopes and aspirations, and collaboratively acting for sustained progress. CHCA facilitates this collaborative action and advocacy with a focus on quality, affordable housing, food security, economic empowerment, and environmental justice. Since our founding in 2019, we have worked to build trust in the community and engage residents to address long standing issues.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.  As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city.  Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.  NJPAC has attracted 11 million visitors (including almost two million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.  Visit www.njpac.org for more information.