By Newarker Team

Every quarter, we get a ton of updates from our friends at organizations, nonprofits, and other entities across Newark and greater New Jersey. We’ve decided to select some to share with our readers every issue. Welcome to our new Community Press section!

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Newark Officer partners with Great Oaks Legacy Elementary Students to Honor Dr. King through Art and Action.

NEWARK, N.J. – January 22, 2025: In a powerful tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy,
Newark Public Safety’s 9th/Metro Precinct Community Service Officer K. Felder partnered
with students at Great Oaks Legacy Charter School’s Downtown Elementary School on
Friday, January 17, to lead a collaborative “Peace Tree” project. The event combined
hands-on creativity with meaningful lessons about equality and unity, bringing Dr. King’s
legacy to life for young scholars.

The event was facilitated through the efforts of Ebony Howard, Great Oaks Legacy Charter
School (GOLCS) Special Projects Coordinator, who played a key role in organizing the day’s
activities, and Brianna Mayers, Downtown Elementary School Director, who supported the
coordination and ensured the event’s success. Together with Officer Felder, they created a
welcoming and impactful experience for students that brought Dr. King’s teachings to life.
At the heart of the celebration was the creation of Peace Tree “leaves”, which were colorful
handprints crafted by students. Each handprint carried the phrase “I have a dream . . .” and
showcased the children’s personal hopes for the future. The Peace Tree will be displayed at
the 9th/Metro Precinct, symbolizing the shared commitment between Great Oaks and local
law enforcement to create and support a community rooted in empathy and respect.
“As a community service officer, my goal is to support all ages and demographics within
our community,” said Officer Felder. “I’ve always felt welcomed by the staff at Great Oaks,
and I wanted to return that kindness. In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, I
brought treats for the team and students while talking about the importance of equality. Dr.
King’s legacy reminds us to treat everyone with fairness and respect, no matter their
background or identity. Let’s continue to uplift each other and work together to create a
community where everyone feels valued.”

Officer Felder also led students in a brief “Equality Egg” experiment—demonstrating that
while brown and white eggs look different, they are the same inside—to illustrate Dr. King’s
message that external differences do not define our inherent worth.
“It was so educational, and the scholars really enjoyed having a police officer in the
classroom,” said Ms. Parada, a Kindergarten Teacher at Downtown Elementary School. “We
look forward to more events in the future.”

This event underscores the strong partnership between Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
and Newark’s Department of Public Safety in creating meaningful opportunities for
community engagement. By blending classroom learning with real-world examples of Dr.
King’s values, Officer Felder and the Great Oaks team aim to inspire students to dream big
and make a difference in their communities.

About Great Oaks Legacy Charter School
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is an open-enrollment, tuition-free, PK4 through grade 12,
public charter school system with campuses across Newark, New Jersey, where college matriculation rates historically have been low. We give our students the academic skills and socio-emotional support they need to build upon their own strengths and abilities so that they are ready and able to achieve their dreams. We bridge the educational opportunity gap by setting rigorous expectations within a framework of individualized support and a community committed to supporting equity and celebrating diversity. We
are dedicated to preparing all of our students for success in college, careers, and life. Our track record of student achievement proves our belief that life-changing transformation happens when preparedness and readiness meet opportunity. For more information, visit greatoakslegacy.org or follow us on Facebook.

Clinton Hill Community Action Hosts Reel Stories Arts Xchange Shorts Competition

Newark, N.J. – January 23, 2025: In collaboration with NJPAC, the Arts Xchange and Clinton Hill Community Action, hosted a short film competition, which culminated in an inspiring and visually stimulating screening of six finalist films at Zion Hill Baptist Church in the South Ward.

The food was hot, the community engagement high, and the support welcoming, as various aspiring auteurs flexed their cinematic muscles, showcasing a diverse array of short films dedicated to and inspired by the city of Newark.

In the end, a star-studded panel of judges chose EWR’s Charles David as the winner, for his film “Elevate Welcome Re-imagine”, which featured a handful of Newark creatives giving their opinions on Newark as a hub for the arts and creative innovation.