Remembering James Credle

Queer Newark Oral History Project

On April 15th of 2023, we lost one of Newark’s dearest LGBTQ+ leaders, James Credle. In this episode, you will get to hear James talk about growing up in the Jim Crow South and what it was like to move North to Newark, his time serving as a medic in Vietnam, living through the AIDS epidemic, and becoming a dean at Rutgers-Newark, where he provided support to all marginalized students, especially those who were LGBTQ+. James was also a founding member of National Association of Black and White Men Together, the New York Men of All Colors Together, the Newark Pride Alliance, and a member of the Newark Commission on LGBT Concerns. He was an integral member of Newark’s Ballroom community and progenitor of the iconic Newark Fire & Ice Ball. James always cared deeply about young people achieving their dreams and so he founded the Circle of Friends Awards, a non-profit that provides financial support to college students committed to promoting diversity. They can always use donations.

“Don’t ever forget the struggle continues.” - James Credle

Rest in Power.