1945-2007
Junius Williams in his book “An Unfinished Agenda” states that Earlene Provit was a “community legend…I heard a story about Earlene fighting five cops and winning!”
Earlene worked part time at a bar called the Pink Palace. Junius says, “I remember the first time I went to the Pink Palace. Earlene was wearing a cape made out of window draperies. Each bar had its set of groupies that revolved around grand personalities like Earlene. After a few minutes I knew I wanted Earlene in [the Newark Area Planning Association.].”
Earlene joined the Newark Area Planning Association and helped affiliate it with neighborhood residents. Junius says, “Earlene cared about people in the neighborhood.” At NAPA, “Earlene was the disciplinarian with the kids” and “took on more and more responsibility”.
The Newark Area Planning Association, which included Earlene, was one of the leading groups in the Medical School fight, which successfully negotiated against plans to displace citizens for a Medical School. NAPA also supported Gibson’s run for Mayor and worked on other planning issues like highways.
In 1969, Earlene lived at 26 Bedford and ran on the Model Cities Ballot for District 5. There were 2 seats per district and Earlene was 2nd in District 5, with 92 votes, so she received a seat. Within Model Cities she became Secretary of the Neighborhood Improvement and Services Task Force.
When Gibson was elected, Junius Williams became Model Cities Director and got a job for Erlene in the Interim Assistance Program which handled rat and pest control and built a few parks. Junius last mentions Earlene when she quit city work to raise her brother’s children.
By 1991, Earlene worked with The Joint Connection, a non-profit that provided prison transports for visiting friends and family. She was also a Trustee for Grace Reformed Baptist Church, again with Rev. West.
Likely born in Newark, Earlene Jackson lived with her parents James and Florence on 81 Arlington St by age 5. She had 4 brothers and a sister. Junius Williams remembers her mother Florence, who helped out when needed, saying, “Didn’t nobody mess with the Jacksons”. In 1963, she married Eddie Provit.
Bibliography
Earlene Jackson Provit, Star Ledger, Dec 23, 2007
“Model Cities Vote in 3300” Newark News Aug 22, 1969
“Candidates line up on Model Cities ballot”, Star Ledger, Aug 13, 1969
“Model Cities drawing neighborhood ballot”, Newark News, Aug 13, 1969
“Model Cities vote registers some upsets”, Star Ledger, Aug 22, 1969
1950 census
“UCC Meeting Stirs Battle” Newark News Aug 19, 1969
“West Wins UCC Vote, Foes Walk Out” Newark News, Aug 22, 1969
“Prison ride group offers free Mothers Day trips” Star Ledger May 10, 1991
“Joint Connection, Share Hold Raffle”, City News Dec 4, 1991
Williams, Junius, Unfinished Agenda
The Fight Against Route 75, NJ.com, Feb 11, 2025