KST Network

Your favorite people behind the scenes! 🎥: @dakotavalerie_ 👩🏾‍💻: @liveliketima

#NewarkUpClose: Ep 2 Next in Line A barbershop can be way bigger than just getting a haircut. Haitian-born barber Ace turned “Ace Your Barber” into a way to provide for his family while also creating real community in Newark and New Brunswick. The shop is a place where conversations happen naturally, people check in on each other, young men build confidence, and customers become friends over time. Big thank you to True Cuts Downtown Newark for continuing to create a space that supports the community, mental health, and connection beyond the chair. 💈 @truecuts_newark Director / Executive Producer - Khadiyah Thomas Development Producer - Beata Francis (@beatafrancis ) Development Producer - Juniellia Jack (@juniellia ) Production Coordinator - Fatima Thomas (@liveliketima ) First Assistant Director - Sabrina Hajsok ( @sabhaj2.0 ) Director of Photography & Colorist - Joshua Neyema (@framesby_joshua ) First Assistant Camera - Nadya Zorrilla First Camera Operator - Damon “AB” Clindinin ( @director.ab ) BTS Photographer /Editor Dakota Savo (@dakotavalerie_ ) Motion Graphics Designer - Ben Saah (@ben.saah ) Production Assistant - Keith Hauser (@ghostlytype )

We’re incredibly grateful to be a recipient of the 2026 @Prudential Foundation grant through its Community Grants Program, in partnership with the Community Foundation of New Jersey cohort for the upcoming episodes of #NewarkUpClose ! One step at a time we’re making moves to grow this beautiful city called home. #newarknewjersey ❤️

Huge shoutout to @newarkfashionnightout and @official_noftv for putting on an incredible premiere of #DevilWearsPrada2! Which was partially filmed right here in our beloved city of Newark! Fashion has always been a major part of our community from couture to streetwear. Newark knows how to put it ON! ❤️ Follow Newark Fashion Night out for more event updates and check out the Newark Office of Film and TV for upcoming opportunities as productions kick up ✨

Happy Earth Day! 🌎 Earlier this year The #NewarkUpClose team worked alongside urban farming activist from @almunirfarms Bilal Walker and Raihaanah Walker from Newark Conservancy to take a deeper look into what it really means to grow food in a city like Newark. Not just planting seeds but reclaiming land, restoring soil, and creating access where it hasn’t always existed. We live in a city shaped by industry and history, this work is about more than farming. It’s about healing, ownership, and building something that lasts. From raised beds to community partnerships, this is what sustainability looks like on the ground. Newark is growing. Will you join us on the ride? 🌱 📸 : @dakotavalerie_

When was the last time life slowed down? 👀 💈 ✂️ It’s never just about the haircut. The barbershop’s been a cornerstone for generations - a spot to sit, share stories, or just chill. #NewarkUpClose is pulling up a chair with Ace the Barber to explore what this space means for our culture. Mental health is present here, in real conversations and in the quiet moments. Healing doesn’t always look like big conversations. Sometimes it’s just about taking a seat. 🎥 Newark Up Close Coming SOON!

Episode 1: Paint the City of our new Instagram series Newark Up Close: is finally here!! This project was built with intention, with love, and with people who truly care about the city and the stories that don’t always get seen. Every frame holds a piece of Newark in it. To the team thank you for showing up, for trusting me, for pouring into this the way you did. To the creatives who shared their truth with us… thank you for letting us in featuring the artist (@euphony.i.am ) ❤️🎥#newarkupclose Director / Executive Producer - Khadiyah Thomas Development Producer - Beata Francis (@beatafrancis ) Development Producer - Juniellia Jack (@juniellia or Production Coordinator - Fatima Thomas (@liveliketima ) First Assistant Director - Maxine Antoine (@maxine_antoine ) Associate Producer / Assistant Director - Sabrina Hajsok ( @sabhaj2.0 ) Director of Photography & Colorist - Joshua Neyema (@framesby_joshua ) First Assistant Camera - Nadya Zorrilla Drone - @elihu.films Gaffer - Corey Brumfield (@youngroyalty580 ) Gaffer - Dominique Jean (@dominiquejean34 ) First Camera Operator - Damon “AB” Clindinin ( @director.ab ) BTS Photographer /Assistant Post-Production Dakota Savo (@dakotavalerie_ ) Motion Graphics Designer - Ben Saah (@ben.saah ) Production Assistant - Keith Hauser (@ghostlytype ) Special thank you: Manuel Acevedo - Artist Location: Halsey Arts Center

Coming this Friday March 20th!! Newark Up Close is an Instagram-first series tapping into the real heartbeat of the beloved city. The artists, the energy, the people who make this city move! Big things are happening and we’re proud to highlight the best of the best from home 🧡 In our sit down interview with Euphony, a multi-artist living in Newark, we explore her poetry and ideas of what creativity and safe spaces look like in the city through art. Newark… we’re Up Close now. 🎨

Ahhhh! We’re premiering the first episode of Newark Up Close March 20th!!! Shoutout to the team that believed in me and believed in this vision from the jump. Newark is my city and I love it deeply. The history, the creatives, the stories that deserve the spotlight. While Hollywood runs home back to Big Jersey (never the little one) 😉 , we’re right here showing what Newark got shakinnnnn’. Up Close is only the beginning. This is a movement for the KST Network 💛 @thekstnetwork #TheKSTNetwork #newarkupclose

This is how Newark shows up. Coming soon 3.20 💛#newarkupclose

Day 1: #NewarkUpClose by @thekstnetwork 🎥🎬🔐 Newark is for artists. Newark is for filmmakers. 📸: @dakotavalerie_

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎄🤎 Meet the ever growing and amazing team working on the new #NewarkUpClose Series 2026! We’re excited to share our upcoming work so stay tuned! Until then, have a wonderful and safe holiday season. ☺️ #KSTNetwork