Sculpture to honor former mayor’s life and legacy;
Artwork will stand in front of City Hall
Newark, NJ – September 13, 2021 – Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., and other dignitaries will unveil a statue honoring former Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson on Tuesday, September 14, at 11 a.m. in front of City Hall, located on 920 Broad Street.
The eight-foot bronze statue will honor the life and legacy of Mayor Gibson, Newark’s first African American mayor, who served for 16 years, from 1970 to 1986. He led Newark’s efforts to overcome the physical and spiritual damage inflicted upon the city by the 1967 Rebellion.
Mayor Gibson is well known for his famous quote, “Wherever America’s cities are going, Newark will get there first.” He passed away in 2019, at 86 years of age.
The sculpture was created by Mississippi native Thomas Jay Warren and will stand in front of City Hall. Over the course of a 34-year career, Warren has created 50 public monuments in 19 states and Canada. His portfolio of sculptures include U.S. Representative Donald Payne, Sr., as well as civil rights figures Rosa Parks and Medgar Evers.
