A Vision for the Long-Term

A Vision for the Long-Term

KAI CAMPBELL

Owner, The Yard

Kai Campbell was born and raised in Newark, and he has always known he wanted to return to the city and help promote its economic development.

Although on any given day he may be prepping for the lunch rush at his restaurant, The Yard, his true identity is one of economic developer. After graduating from the University of Virginia, he worked with Sharpe James and Cory Booker, bringing his education and inherent knowledge of Newark and its community to the job. His ideas for development, his familiarity with the language of economics in Newark, and his ability to provide the “backstory” on so many projects gave him an important seat at many negotiating tables. Being the youngest black person involved in so many deals was its own kind of grad school. He participated in the negotiations for ShopRite, Chipotle, Whole Foods, and Home Depot, among others. All before the age of 30.

It was fantastic training.

At 30, he was ready to end his career in the municipal sector and start his own ventures.

The menu and the brand at The Yard express his diverse background. His grandfather was a kosher chef and owned two kosher restaurants, so his mother grew up cooking kosher food. Kai developed an early passion for Indian food, which only increased when he spent time in that country. He has also been lucky enough to travel widely and be exposed to many different cultures.

He admits that Newark looks very different than it did 10 years ago, or even three years ago. Even with that progress, the working class of Newark still feels the strain of the economy, and foot traffic to the restaurant can be a challenge.

“I want to see Newark be a more equitable city.”

He has created The Yard to be a place where all people can come and feel good, which builds equity in the community. He wants to produce the kind of opportunities that give people long-term growth and possibilities. “It’s not just about doing something; it’s about doing it right. Everybody in the world wants some level of safety, some level of equality and some level of respect. I want to build things that I can feel good about in 20 or 30 years.”

Favorite RESTAURANT (BESIDES THE YARD):

Konoz