Sharpe James, a five-term mayor of Newark, has died. He was 89 years previous.
James, who served as mayor between 1986 and 2006, died Sunday at an elder care facility in West Orange, in response to his son John Sharpe James, a former Newark metropolis councilman. No explanation for dying was launched.
James is credited with serving to revitalize Newark with new constructing developments and — in his personal phrases — taking town from “urban blight to urban bright.”
Nevertheless, rumors swirled about his luxurious way of life and attainable corruption and finally led to federal prices in 2007. He was finally convicted of fraud and sentenced to 27 months in jail.
“In his 20 years in office as mayor, Sharpe James was many things: a warrior for our city, a unifier for its people, a powerful force to launch development like New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the Prudential Center, and a strong advocate for Newark and its people,” present Newark Mayor Ras Baraka stated in an announcement.
“He was also an outstanding educator and an inspiration to generations of Newark residents. Our relationship included competition, conflict and collaboration, and through it all, helped define me, my values, and my aspirations for this city. The Newark we live in is, in many ways, a city he created.”
Then-Newark Mayor Sharpe James in 2003. (Monika Graff/Getty Photos)
Sen. Cory Booker, who ran a mayoral marketing campaign towards James in 2002 and have become his successor in 2006, additionally launched an announcement.
“Sharpe James was a beloved pillar of our shared community, serving the city of Newark for two decades as mayor and giving nearly four decades of his life to public service. I am deeply saddened by his passing, and I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him throughout Newark.”
The pair’s 2002 faceoff was the topic of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Street Fight.”
James was born on Feb. 20, 1936, in Jacksonville, Fla., however grew up in Newark. His mom managed and later owned a restaurant there earlier than acquiring a nursing diploma from Beth Israel Medical Middle.
He starred academically at South Aspect Excessive College (which was later renamed Malcolm X Shabazz Excessive College) and was on the observe workforce. James graduated from Montclair State School (now Montclair State College) in 1958 earlier than a stint within the Military. After his time within the service, he acquired a grasp’s diploma in class administration from Springfield School in Massachusetts.
He started educating and neighborhood organizing in Newark. At one level he taught bodily schooling whereas additionally representing the South Ward as metropolis councilman.
In his first citywide election, he ousted Kenneth Gibson, who had been elected as Newark’s first Black mayor in 1970. He turned a state senator in 1999 as properly, deciding towards in search of one other time period in that place in 2007. Weeks later, he was federally indicted for varied schemes from his time in workplace.
Initially Revealed: Might 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM EDT
