1940-
Barbara Kukla was a reporter for the Star Ledger for 37 years. She has written many books on historical Newark including, Swing City: Newark Nightlife 1925-1950.
Barbara J. Kukla was born in 1940 and grew up in North Arlington, New Jersey.
With the Star Ledger, Barbara edited the popular Newark This Week section and also was the Sunday city editor for many years. She was inspired by an interview with Viola Wells (Miss Rhapsody), early in her career. Miss Rhapsody introduced her to many people in the Newark community including jazz artists.
In 1990, Kukla published her first book Swing City: Newark Nightlife 1925-1950 which was dedicated to Miss Rhapsody. It is considered the authoritative work on the Newark jazz scene. Since then, Kukla has written many more books and six calendars about Newark. They include: Defying the Odds: Triumphant Black Women of Newark, Sounds of Music: The Dolores Collins Benjamin Story, Newark Inside My Soul: A 50-Year Memoir, America’s Music: Jazz In Newark, Newark Women: From Suffragettes to the Statehouse, and City of Champions.
As a charter member of the Newark Public Schools Historic Preservation Committee, Barbara also wrote the Newark Public Schools Directory of Distinguished Alumni in 2016.
For many years, Kukla operated the Friends of Barbara Kukla Scholarship Fund, a group that raised $50,000 to aid Newark Public Schools children.
Bibliography
Barbara J. Kukla Papers, Newark Public Library including digitized material
Kukla, Barbara J. Newark Inside My Soul, a 50 Year Memoir.
Extensive Star Ledger coverage
“Author Honors City Heroines” Star Ledger Jan 26, 2006
Gordon William, “They Were Swinging” Star Ledger Oct 11, 1991
“Musical afternoon benefits students” Star Ledger July 29, 2004
North Arlington High school Yearbook