A soft summer evening, a green park lawn, and the transformative power of a good story are coming together to inspire the next generation of Newark scholars.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka, alongside the Mayor’s Office of Comprehensive Community Education, the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery (OVPTR), and the Department of Recreation, Cultural Affairs, and Senior Services, has announced that the City will host its seventh annual Reading Under the Stars on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Ivy Hill Park (located at Mt. Vernon Place in the West Ward).
The free, citywide celebration unites municipal agencies, school leaders, acclaimed children’s authors, and local small businesses for a evening of storytelling, free book giveaways, music, and family entertainment designed to foster a lifelong love of literature.
Building Home Libraries and Lifelong Curiosity
For Mayor Baraka, the annual tradition is both a vital public education initiative and a cherished personal memory.
“For families just like mine, Reading Under the Stars has been an evening of magical memory-making for the last eight years,” said Mayor Baraka. “I have watched my own children and countless others become enchanted by the reading and storytelling, the dancing and music, and the selection of books they are free to take home. These are the memories that make us love reading and learning—that kindle the curiosity and investigation that make us strong adult community members.”
A cornerstone of the event is ensuring that culturally relevant literature makes its way directly into the hands of local children to help build permanent home libraries. Co-sponsors providing free books and resources for the evening include:
- Reading is Fundamental
- Source of Knowledge Bookstore
- The Newark Public Library
- Scholastic, Inc.
- The Newark Office of Sustainability
An All-Star Lineup of Storytellers
This year’s gathering features an inspiring roster of authors, media personalities, and community advocates who will read their published works before hosting a book-signing session for attendees:
- Dupré L. Kelly (“Doitall”): West Ward Councilman, platinum-selling recording artist, and author, reading his story I Can Do It All.
- Marley Dias: Acclaimed author and activist, reading her book I Am the Dream Come True.
- Alyssa Reynoso-Morris: Children’s author, reading her book Plátanos are Love.
- Phil Taitt: Two-time Emmy-winning reporter, reading I Believe I Can.
- Fritz Bondoa: Public policy expert, reading Mr. Imhotep’s I Love Africa alongside his mother, Colette Bondoa, a longtime bilingual math teacher in Newark Public Schools.
“Reading opens doors that no one can ever close,” said Councilman Kelly. “When we invest in our children’s minds, we invest in the future of Newark. It’s an honor to share my book and hopefully inspire the next generation to dream bigger, read more, and understand that they truly can do it all.”
“Every child deserves to see themselves in the pages of a book, and Reading Under the Stars makes that promise real for Newark’s families,” added Marley Dias. “Access to culturally relevant stories is how we build readers who feel seen and proud of who they are.”
Comprehensive Community Resources and Support
In addition to literary activities, the event serves as a one-stop resource hub for West Ward families. The Newark Department of Health & Community Wellness will have its Dental Mobile Unit on-site, alongside WIC resources and vital information regarding lead abatement services.
A robust coalition of community partners will also participate to provide family resources, youth programming information, and refreshments, including:
- Education & Youth Services: Newark Public Schools, Newark Board of Education, Mount Vernon School, Newark Boys and Girls Club, Reading Partners, UVSO, and United Community Corporation.
- Civic & Mentorship Partners: My Brother’s Keeper, CareSpark, Partnership West, Inc., and the Newark Office of Sustainability.
- Corporate & Local Sponsors: Audible, Optimum, GlassRoots, The Weekend Spot Restaurant, Salaam Ice Cream Parlor, and the Madan/Russo Organization (owners of five local McDonald’s franchises), which returns for its eighth year to serve free Happy Meals to participating children.
