(NEWARK, NJ) -- Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) hosted a screening of “Gone Too Soon,” a documentary produced by Celeste Bateman, on September 27, 2023 in Clinton Hill. This night of culture was hosted in collaboration with the Clinton Hill Community Action & New Jersey Performing Arts Center ArtsXchange program and the Newark Arts Festival.

The Newark Arts Festival took place from September 27 through October 1, and it offers a plethora of opportunities for residents to engage with local artists. Wednesday’s event was held at 505 Clinton Avenue (Gant-Gilbert Arts Collective), the South Ward's location for the festivities. Clinton Hill Community action hosted the event and treated guests to hot dogs, a nacho cheese bar, popcorn, and drinks, which gave the night a true movie theater feel.

Mia X. Johnson performed two original spoken word pieces; “Believe” and “Blue Floozy.” She was accompanied by violinist J.-Read (both are Newark artists.) The crowd enthusiastically cheered at the conclusion of the performance. “The people in the film impacted my life, and I would not be the artist I am without them,” Mia X told the crowd. She acknowledged the impact and significance of the community coming together for the first film screening in the BlkBox, and was appreciative of the opportunity to put on her “artist's hat” and to be supported by the community.

The event was sold out with approximately seventy-five people present. There were two showings at 5:30 and 7:30 PM. The audience was appreciative of seeing members of the community and Newark landmarks on the screen and could be heard saying “I remember him or her.” “This was an extraordinary opportunity to share this important documentary with my South Ward neighbors. I hope that visitors walked away inspired by the many contributions of these cultural icons to the life and breath of the greater Newark community. Each of us has an obligation to remember those who paved the way for us, to ensure that they are not forgotten and to tell our own stories,” stated Celeste Batemen, the film’s producer/director.

Rhenotha Whitaker, (CHCA Deputy Director) explained the purpose of the ArtsXchange and the collaboration with NJPAC. “We are able to bring high-quality NJPAC caliber performances to you, the community because of this partnership.”

The “BlkBox,” the performing arts space in the Gant-Gilbert Artist Collective, continues to serve its purpose as a gathering space for arts to thrive in the Clinton Hill community. With the partnerships of CHCA, NJPAC, and the Newark Arts Festival, it is able to facilitate the revitalization of the neighborhood and to expose a new generation to the arts.

Audience member Madinah Ali stated, “This documentary will live on in the hearts and minds of generations to come. It was a great representation of beloved souls who enriched Newark through the vibrancy of their talents, character & commitment. Gone Too Soon was masterfully produced and is truly a source of inspiration. The soundtracks, settings, archives, narration and filming were beautifully executed.” The events attendees left feeling uplifted and enriched by the film, the environment, and the camaraderie of the community.

Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) is a nonprofit, community development organization that engages residents and partners to revitalize the Clinton Hill neighborhood in Newark’s South Ward. We believe this work must be led by residents, alongside partners who understand the centrality of the role of residents in naming challenges, identifying solutions that are most responsive to their hopes and aspirations, and collaboratively acting for sustained progress. CHCA facilitates this collaborative action and advocacy with a focus on quality, affordable housing, food security, economic empowerment, and environmental justice. Since our founding in 2019, we have worked to build trust in the community and engage residents to address long standing issues.

Photo courtesy of Rhenotha Whitaker