By Lawrence Krayn

Do minds want to know? As the winter chill brings a new year and The Newarker celebrates four years, I’d be remiss not to acknowledge this publication’s place in a turbulent world.

Founded in our beloved city by those with a passion for intellectualism, creativity, and truth, I was and still am humbled to have had the opportunity to help guide our magazine toward its current iteration. Now, more than ever, a myriad of diverse voices and ideas must persevere. The Newarker is a canvass of long-form reporting, biting and beautiful poetry, visual art, personally touched profiles, and perhaps most paramount, a literary showcase of emerging new ideas and innovative writing styles.

The exchange of free thought, whether conveyed or consumed, must transcend 30-second video clips and headline-driven clickbait. The freedom of an open societal dialogue should never be confined; funneled through an ideological or conformist filter. We intend to bring the most authentic and wide-ranging collection of voices to Newark and far beyond, with truth and quality as our only guiding principals.

Our reporting will be fair, our celebration and promotion of diversity vigilant, and our advancement of honest intellectual pursuits immovable. If inquisitive minds want to know, The Newarker is a blossoming force for free thought and a scepter fashioned to cut through the manipulative and equivocal.

We look so much forward to showcasing more of your contributions, and we thank all of our readers for your appreciation of what we do.

Lawrence Krayn Jr. is a Newark resident and lifelong New Jerseyan. He graduated from Rutgers University–Newark with a B.A. degree in Political Science and received his J.D. at Rutgers Law School–Newark. A practicing attorney by day, Larry spends much of his spare time engaging in creative projects. He has been a musician for many years under the moniker “IL Lusciato”, a photographer, and hosts a weekly live podcast on current events.

Featured Image: Lawrence Krayn “Ice” – Instagram: Xquisite_Grit