1914-1996
Born Renee Gregory. Fashion designer. Directed Renee’s School of French Designing and Modeling (591 High St) and ran New York Hat Shoppe 392 Springfield Ave. Founded Renee Stark Enterprises and Renee’s Rental Services. Also owned Renee’s Acreage Recreational Area in Tuckahoe, NJ. Founded the New Jersey Community Council on Drug Addiction and High Society Organization which sponsored the Black and White annual Ball to raise money for drug rehabilitation. She ran for Central Ward council in the 1970 election. She left three buildings on High Street (MLK) to the Library in her will, which were sold to Saint James AME Church.
Photo from Al Henderson Collection, Newark Library
Bibliography
“Ball to Help Drug Addicts” Star Ledger Mar 12, 1967
“Drug Addicts Get a Mother’s Help” Star Ledger Apr 2, 1967
“3 More File for Election” Star Ledger Mar 6, 1970
“Renee Starks” Star Ledger May 9, 1970
“Renee Starks-Steed, Designer, Entrepreneur ” Star Ledger Mar 29, 1996
“Woman’s dying wish helps bring historic Newark church a new home” NJ.com Jul 13, 2015