The Newark Pride festival was founded shortly after the tragic death of Sakia Gunn, a teenager targeted and murdered because of her sexual orientation in downtown Newark. In response to the needs of the LGBTQ community, safe spaces and programming were advocated for, resulting in the establishment of Newark Pride Week in 2005. The festival has since expanded over the last 18 years, adapting to the evolving landscape of Newark and attracting a significant number of attendees to the Downtown Business District. Newark now offers a plethora of cultural institutions like NJPAC, Prudential Arena, and The Newark Museum, as well as new dining establishments, hotels, and upscale apartments that contribute to the downtown area's transformation.