Volume 8, Number 1-2 of Unity and Struggle, the national newspaper of the Revolutionary Communist League (formerly the Congress of Afrikan People), published in February 1979. Unity and Struggle was one of several media outlets developed by Amiri Baraka to promote Black cultural nationalism in Newark and the nation. — Credit: NYU Tamiment Library
Statement prepared by Junius Williams, head of the Newark Area Planning Association (NAPA), to encourage community support for the fight against Route 75 as Newark prepared for a landmark 1970 mayoral election. Route 75, an eight lane highway planned to run North to South, would have cut the Central Ward in half and displaced thousands of Black and Puerto Rican residents, thereby eliminating them from the voting rolls of the Central Ward.
Ken Gibson poses for a photo with Theodore Pinckney, Amiri Baraka, and others during his mayoral campaign. The potential to elect the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city drew national attention to Newark and Amiri Baraka used his connections to bring celebrity supporters to the city for Gibson’s campaign.
Ken Gibson poses for a photo with musician Isaac Hayes during his 1970 Mayoral campaign in Newark. The potential to elect the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city drew national attention to Newark and Amiri Baraka used his connections to bring celebrity supporters to the city for Gibson’s campaign.
Program from the 1970 inauguration of Newark’s Mayor and Municipal Council. Ken Gibson was inaugurated on July 1, 1970, becoming the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city after defeating incumbent Mayor Hugh Addonizio in the election. Also elected to the City Council were Earl Harris, Sharpe James, and Dennis Westbrooks– all nominees of the Black and Puerto Rican Convention.
Ken Gibson (right), chats with legendary musician James Brown (left), and one of the “Gibson Girls” during his 1970 Mayoral campaign in Newark. The potential to elect the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city drew national attention to Newark and Amiri Baraka used his connections to bring celebrity supporters to the city for Gibson’s campaign.
Mayor Ken Gibson speaks at the Martland Hospital Nurses’ Graduation in 1971.
Portrait of Ken Gibson taken by Newark photographer, Al Henderson.
Letter distributed to Newark residents during the 1970 Mayoral campaign tying candidate Ken Gibson to militant Black leaders. Mayor Addonizio’s campaign attempted to paint his opponent, Ken Gibson, as a dangerous Black Nationalist based on his association with Amiri Baraka. Addonizio was defeated by Ken Gibson in the runoff election, making Gibson the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city.
Campaign flyer distributed during Newark’s 1970 Mayoral campaign tying Ken Gibson to Black Nationalist leaders. Mayor Addonizio’s campaign attempted to paint his opponent, Ken Gibson, as a dangerous Black Nationalist based on his association with Amiri Baraka. Addonizio was defeated by Ken Gibson in the runoff election, making Gibson the first Black mayor of a major northeastern city.
