Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, songwriter, author, and producer Faith Evans has received one of her hometown’s highest honors with the ceremonial naming of a Newark street in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to music and the community.
On Saturday, June 13, city officials, family members, friends, and supporters gathered in Newark for the unveiling of “Faith Evans Way,” a ceremonial designation at the intersection of Grumman Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue. The honor recognizes Evans’ decades-long impact on the music industry and her roots in the city where she was raised.
Born in Florida and raised in Newark, Evans attended Newark Public Schools and graduated from University High School in 1991 before launching a career that would make her one of R&B’s most celebrated voices. She became the first female artist signed to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Bad Boy Records and quickly rose to prominence with hits such as “You Used to Love Me,” “Soon as I Get Home,” “Love Like This,” and “I Love You.”
Over the course of her career, Evans has released multiple successful albums, sold millions of records worldwide, and earned a Grammy Award for the chart-topping tribute song “I’ll Be Missing You.” She has also expanded her career into acting, writing, television production, and entrepreneurship.
The Newark Municipal Council approved the honorary street designation earlier this year, citing Evans’ significant achievements in entertainment and her continued connection to the Newark community. City leaders praised her as a role model whose success has inspired generations of aspiring artists.
The new “Faith Evans Way” serves as a lasting tribute to a hometown star whose voice helped define an era of R&B and whose legacy continues to influence artists around the world.
For Evans, the honor is more than a street sign—it is a permanent symbol of the bond between the singer and the city that helped shape her journey to stardom.
