Category: African Americans
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Eva A Jennings
1863-1935 Early Black graduate of Newark High School. Went to Commerce Street School. First Black graduate since Malvina Sears and Elida Lowery, making her the 3rd Black graduate. Shown on the Newark census…
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Malvina Sears & Elida Lowery
First Black graduates of Newark High in 1877 Many people have heard of the first Black student to enter Newark High School, Clara Mulford. Clara entered in 1872, but did not graduate. Entering…
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Helen A Miller
1898-1982 We don’t know too much about Helen A. Miller. She was the sister of Mildred Miller Free and her father James Miller was the “first of his race” to work for the…
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Gladys Hillman-Jones
1938-1998 Worked 32 years as a teacher and administrator for the Newark Public Schools, becoming deputy superintendent. In her eulogy, Rev. James Scott said, “if Gladys left no other legacy it was that…
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Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps
c. 1951- Dr. Linda Caldwell Epps grew up in Elizabeth and has a long connection to Newark. She graduated from Douglass College in 1973. Dr. Epps served as President and CEO of the…
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Rebecca Newby
1919 or 1920-2005 Born in Alabama, raised in Newark, Newby attended Robert Treat and West Side High, where she was a member of the Glee Club and voted most likely to succeed vocally.…
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Josephine Belle Janifer
1925-2018 Born in Montclair, Josephine Janifer was a counselor for the Newark Job Corp and in 1965 Exec Director of the Newark Preschool Council. In 1979, she became the first Director of the…
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Geneva, Helena and Gertrude Turman
The three Turman sisters performed with their brother Buddy in nighclubs around Newark and New York. Gertrude Turman performed in Newark nightclubs as a “shake dancer”. Helena also specialized in dance. Geneva Turman…