Brick City premiered on SUN on September 21, 2009. Against great odds, Newark's citizens and its Mayor, Cory Booker, continue to fight to raise the city out of nearly a half century of violence, poverty and corruption. The Mayor and his Police Director Gary McCarthy have achieved some impressive results, including a 40% reduction in homicides this year as well as significant improvements in housing, employment and education. Despite progress, the current economic downturn makes the city's comeback even more challenging. In the six half-hour episodes of "Brick City", the lives of Mayor Booker, citizens on the front lines, and key figures re-making the city - from real estate developers to ex-gang members - intertwine in a portrait of a city at a critical moment in history. Known as 'Brick City' for its architectural style, urban strength, and human resilience, Newark, New Jersey, is transforming itself from being a symbol of national urban decline into being 'America's leading urban city in safety, prosperity, and the nurturing of family life,' as defined in the mission statement of Mayor Cory A. Booker and his administration. Newark, New Jersey has consistently been a battlefield of high stakes drama. In the first two years of his term, Mayor Booker and his team struggle with challenges that grapple an urban city. They have made some progress in restoring parks and accountability and ethics in municipal government, and empowering Newark residents with jobs and career development opportunities. The Mayor, his Administration and average everyday Newarkers fight to dispel the label that Newark, after the riots and rebellion that exploded more than 40 years ago has become a symbol of the great American urban decline.
