Newark Renames Street In Honor Of Beloved Late Mayor, Ken Gibson

NEWARK, NJ — It was a fitting tribute to a legend of Newark.

On Wednesday, city officials gathered with the loved ones of Kenneth Gibson for a street renaming ceremony in honor of the beloved local icon, who was elected as the city’s first African-American mayor in 1970.

Gibson passed away on March 29 at the age of 86, leaving behind a wife and four daughters. He was given a state funeral with full civic honors on April 4.

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In tribute to Gibson’s numerous contributions to his city, the entire 3.14-mile stretch of Broad Street will now be known as “Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Boulevard.”

According to a news release from Newark city officials:

“[Gibson] led Newark’s efforts to overcome the physical and spiritual damage inflicted upon the city by the 1967 Rebellion. Mayor Gibson served for 16 years, which made him Newark’s longest-serving mayor at the time, and is best known for his famous quote, ‘Wherever America’s cities are going, Newark will get there first.’”

Gibson served as mayor of Newark from 1970 to 1986. Many of his admirers respected him for his calm, pragmatic leadership style and for unifying a city torn apart by race riots and a lack of trust in their local government.

• See related article: Ex-Newark Mayor Kenneth Gibson Honored During Black History Month Celebration

His wife, Camille Gibson, told The New York Times that the former mayor – who passed away in West Orange – had been ill for some time and that she couldn't single out a specific cause.

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