The inaugural "NJ Spotlight on Cities" event will include speakers and panel discussions on topics including community policing, economic development, education, prisoner reentry and health
NEWARK - An all-day conference set for Friday will take on both the problems and promise surrounding New Jersey's urban centers.
The inaugural "NJ Spotlight on Cities" event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, hosted by non-profit news site NJ Spotlight, is focused on how cities are "developing economies, transforming schools, and improving resident quality of life."
The event will include dozens of speakers and panel discussions on topics including policing, economic development, education, prisoner reentry and health.
Notable participants include U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, Trenton Mayor Eric Jackson, Camden former governor and Jersey City Employment & Training Program Executive Director James McGreevy, KIPP-New Jersey Chief Academic Officer Joanna Belcher, Camden County Police Chief J. Scott Thomson and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
The event's finale will be a discussion entitled "NJ Urban Mayors: The New Generation", featuring Baraka, Jackson and Plainfield Mayor Adrian Mapp.
All-inclusive tickets for the conference are still available online for $150 each. Separate admission for a post-event reception at 5 p.m. are on sale for $35.
Dan Ivers may be reached at divers@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DanIversNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
