Newark Alliance and EqualSpace hosted a celebration to honor the impact of Halsey Street’s thriving community of small businesses and Black entrepreneurs.
Recently spotlighted in Issue No. 5 of Greenwood Ave. Magazine, these innovators are shaping new paths to success and driving economic growth in their home city. The event brought together local business owners, stakeholders and residents to share the magazine’s stories of resilience and creativity taking shape in Newark.
Greenwood Ave. is a bi-annual publication that showcases the stories of Black visionaries, reflecting the enduring spirit of Black Wall Street and its influence on communities across the U.S. The latest issue focuses on the legacy of Black entrepreneurship and spotlights several small businesses making an impact on the Newark region and beyond including BrownMill, EqualSpace, Brilliant Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Marco Hall Designs, Brick City Pets and Brick City Comedy and Newark Alliance.
“Newark Alliance is committed to the collaborative work that is empowering the growth of small businesses on Halsey Street and throughout the broader Arts and Education District,” Ashley Mays, chief real estate and marketing officer of Newark Alliance said. “Our mission is to support Halsey as a nationally known, branded destination for art, culture, food, and entertainment while fostering local wealth creation, particularly for entrepreneurs of color. We are proud to tell the story of what’s happening on Halsey Street in partnership with Greenwood Ave. and share space with trailblazers from around the world.”
Citi Medina, Founder of EqualSpace and one of the entrepreneurs featured in the magazine issue, said “Halsey Street is a gem of Newark, not just because of the exceptional-minded entrepreneurs who call it home, but because of the vibrant culture they create. It’s the heartbeat that reminds us of what it means to truly be a community—united, proud, and unequivocally liberated.”
The event featured remarks from community leaders, contributors, and the entrepreneurs who have brought the magazine’s pages to life.
Newark Alliance was joined in this effort by other notable supporters, including Audible, Prudential Financial and Invest Newark, who contribute to initiatives promoting economic growth in Newark.
Another local business featured at the event was the caterer, Sweet Jeans Kitchen & Espresso Bar, a recent grantee of Audible’s Business Attraction Program and Newark’s Retail Reactivation Initiative.
“Through Audible’s Business Attraction Program, we’re proud to be part of Newark’s burgeoning entrepreneurial ecosystem and excited to showcase the city’s growth as a hub for innovation,” Ari Fox, head of economic impact at Audible, said. “We’re committed to supporting historically underrepresented founders, especially people of color and women, by providing the resources they need to thrive. It’s an exciting time for Newark, and we’re honored to be contributing to its bright future.”
“Creating an environment where small businesses can thrive is essential to Newark’s continued growth. These entrepreneurs and others in the community are leading the way and are indicative of Newark’s bright future,” Marcus Randolph, CEO of Invest Newark, said.
