Black Lives Matter: A Message From Our Leadership

Dear Newark School of the Arts Family and Friends,

On behalf of the staff, faculty and Board of Trustees of NSA, we want to take a moment to share some words of hope and encouragement during these unprecedented times. The devastation of the Covid-19 Pandemic has impacted all of us. Here at NSA, we have lost members of our family to this horrible virus, as has almost everyone throughout the Newark community and the region. As if dealing with the trials and challenges of Covid-19 was not enough, we are watching in real time as our country and the whole world have erupted in condemnation of the killing of George Floyd by four Minneapolis Police officers. Sadly, the death of Mr. Floyd is not the first of its kind in our country where black men and women have died at the hands of the police. Black people in America are disproportionately represented in police related killings; they must stop. The NSA family stands firm in our support of community leaders and all the citizens of Newark in calling for social justice, a demand for racial equality, the eradication of police brutality and an end to systemic racism in our country. We also support and respect the right to peaceful protest. We should be outraged about social injustice and no voice should be silenced. Injustice and inequality for some is injustice and inequality for us all. Please know that NSA is here and that we care.

Larry Tamburri, Executive Director

Martin Berkowitz, President, Board of Trustees