Newark, New Jersey has officially made Faith Evans’ legacy part of the city’s map. The Newark Municipal Council adopted Resolution 26-0436 on April 15, 2026, authorizing the honorary and ceremonial naming of the intersection of Grumman Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue as “Faith Evans Way,” with the ceremony taking place on June 13. The resolution also makes clear that the official street names remain Grumman Avenue and Elizabeth Avenue, meaning “Faith Evans Way” stands as a ceremonial tribute rather than a legal street-name replacement.
That detail matters because this is not just a celebrity photo-op. Newark’s own resolution lays out why Evans received the honor: she was born in Florida but raised in Newark, graduated from Newark’s University High School in 1991, built a multi-decade career as a Grammy-winning recording artist, songwriter, arranger, record producer, author, and television executive producer, and became the first female artist signed to Bad Boy Records.
Before the plaques, Grammys, platinum albums, and national stages, Evans’ voice was being shaped in Newark. BMI’s MusicWorld noted that Evans developed her vocal style in Newark churches and that she later performed background vocals for artists including Mary J. Blige, Pebbles, Tevin Campbell, and Christopher Williams. Her early songwriting experience is notable on records for Hi-Five, Mary J. Blige, Pebbles, Al B. Sure!, Usher, Tony Thompson, and Christopher Williams.
Her recording career is where the case gets even stronger. Evans has one Grammy win and eight Grammy nominations, including her trophy for “I’ll Be Missing You” at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in the Rap Duo/Group Performance category. She also earned other Grammy nods for “Love Like This,” “Heartbreak Hotel” with Whitney Houston and Kelly Price, “Can’t Believe” with Carl Thomas, “Faithfully,” “Gone Already,” “R&B Divas,” and “He Is.”
Evans’ has racked up eight studio albums, more than 18 million albums sold, more than 30 singles, and appearances on more than 20 soundtracks. “Faith,” “Keep The Faith,” and “Faithfully” are all platinum-certified albums, with “The First Lady” becoming certified gold.
That catalog is exactly why “Faith Evans Way” feels earned. Evans did not just have a moment in R&B. She helped shape a sound, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s, when R&B and hip-hop collaborations were changing the mainstream. Her voice carried records that still live in playlists, radio rotations, family cookouts, karaoke nights, and quiet heartbreak sessions decades later. The numbers support that staying power, but the cultural memory does too.
Still, the honor is bigger than music. Evans also turned her life story into publishing success. Her 2008 book, “Keep the Faith: A Memoir,” written with Aliya King, became a New York Times bestseller and won the 2009 African American Literary Award in the Best Biography/Memoir category.
Her television work is part of the resume too. Evans’ co-created, executive produced, and starred in “R&B Divas,” and the companion album earned her a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album at the 2014 Grammy Awards. That matters because Evans has not stayed boxed into one lane. She has moved through music, writing, production, television, and business while keeping her identity tied to the voice that first made people stop and listen.
Then there is the recognition beyond the Grammys. BET’s Soul Train Awards honored Evans as the 2018 Lady of Soul honoree.
Newark also had another reason to give Evans her flowers: her community work. In 2025, Evans spoke on “Tamron Hall“ about raising her son Ryder Russaw, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, and how that journey led her to advocacy.
That piece of her story adds depth to the street naming. Newark’s resolution says Evans’ contributions to the music industry and Newark community are “worthy of recognition,” and the public record backs that up through her career achievements, hometown roots, and community work.
