WorldHope Corps

It was a red carpet night to remember for Jayda and her "ladies" (as she calls them)--the Nine Strong Women--as well as for those of us who support their efforts to reduce youth violence and bring peace and hope in the city of Newark, N.J. Six members of Drew University--Tanya Bennett, Annie Allen, Donna Powell, Nancy Vanderveen, Renee Olson and me--attended the Premiere at Symphony Hall Tuesday night.  Nearly 1000, mostly Newarkers, packed into Sympony Hall and a couple of hundred enjoyed the VIP reception prior to the showing. Executive producer and Oscar Award winner Forest Whitaker, left, walks the red carpet with Newark Mayor Cory Booker at the premiere of Sundance Channel's documentary series 'Brick City'. The series follows Mayor Cory Booker and the citizens of Newark as they take strides to redeem their cities' reputation after a history rich with riots, violence and rebellion. Preliminary speeches were heard from Executive Producer, Forest W...

Brick City documentary series premieres tomorrow--Tuesday, September 15--at Symphony Hall in Newark.  First episode airs Monday, Sept 21, on the Sundance Channel at 10pm. NEWARK, New Jersey is known as "Brick City" for its architectural style, urban strength and human resilience.  In the wake of the riots and rebellion that exploded in 1967, Newark became a symbol of American urban decline.  In recent years, due the the determined efforts of many grass-roots groups and community engagements, Newark has gained a reputation of being a ‘city on the rise’--serious about reducing drugs and youth-related violence, and raising hope and peace. BRICK CITY  is the name of the documentary series that follows Mayor Cory Booker, the Director of Police, gang members and selected city residents engaged in the complex, difficult and important work of community development.   It features Jessica Jacques (“Jayda”)—a Blood member and youth counselor who starte...