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Newark Stories: Dwight Washington

John O'Boyle

  

The history of Newark is full of stories of the many housing projects that came to define the city. It's actually where the city got it's beloved nickname -- Brick City. Most of the projects are now a distant memory, either torn down or boarded up and abandoned. However, the people and the stories remain engrained in the fabric of the city.

Dwight Washington is one of those people. He grew up in Baxter Terrace, one of the first housing projects -- not just in Newark, but in the country. Built in 1941, BT was at one point the height of WC housing in Newark. It became so much a part of housing history in this country that several parts of the original structure are now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington DC.

This is Dwight Washington's story of what life was like in the now infamous housing projects known as Baxter Terrace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPDtVHcidv8

Alexandra Hill began her work with WBGO in June of 2012 in the news department. A graduate of the Rutgers Newark journalism program, Alexandra was also a student of WBGO News Director Doug Doyle. Alexandra has since become the lead general assignment reporter, afternoon news anchor, and producer of the award winning live call in show Newark Today. Since working for WBGO Alexandra has covered politics in and around Newark including the 2014 mayoral campaign of Mayor Ras Baraka as well as the senate campaigns of former Newark Mayor and now U.S. Senator Cory Booker in both 2013 and 2014. Alexandra also covers a host of human-interest stories, and has been recognized by the New York Association Of Black Journalists for her piece entitled Sheltering Newark’s Homeless.