In the course of a decade, Glover has become fixture in Newark. Even her work to help launch Audible’s Global Center for Urban Development – which celebrated its first anniversary in the fall – has its roots in New Jersey’s largest city.
Under her watch, the center started and funded a program paying dozens of primarily Black and Latino-owned restaurants to prepare meals for the city’s low-income seniors and families. As of December, Newark Working Kitchens has delivered 1.2 million meals, reaching 10,000 residents across 70 locations. In the fall, Audible also launched a discretionary spending pilot program, inspired by Newark’s universal guaranteed income initiative, that offers a weekly stipend in an effort to drive spending and support the city’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
“Audible Bucks will support local college students and residents … while driving foot traffic to Newark’s small businesses,” Glover said when the program was announced. The Center also got started on an initiative to encourage local investment in the Brick City’s creative community with its pick of 18 artists for the Newark Artist Collaboration, who will produce large-scale installations and public artworks at Audible’s newly renovated headquarters and in the surrounding downtown neighborhood.
Over the past year, Glover has also played a key part in revitalization efforts in Newark’s Broad Street Station/Tubman Square area, and remains involved with efforts to attract innovators to the city, like SOSV’s $50 million HAX accelerator, which is slated to open this summer. Moving into its second year, the Center plans to increase its investments in the cities it operates from, in addition to developing local talent and increasing workplace diversity.
An NJEDA Sustain and Serve grant will help to expand the number of restaurants participating with Newark Working Kitchens. And, it’ll continue to work with Newark Venture Partners to attract and grow entrepreneurs in the state’s largest city. Before joining the ranks at Audible, Glover spent several years at the nonprofit Newark Alliance and her background includes the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Navy Yard. She currently serves on the NJEDA board and as a member of Mayor Baraka’s Equitable Growth Commission.
With many anchor institutions, Newark has ushered in something of an economic renaissance. As businesses start to regain their footing, and a presence in the city in the wake of the pandemic, Glover’s voice will continue to be key in how to ensure the city’s boom does not backslide.
