When Blackie and Joan Parlin first met in 1957 at the Silver Bay YMCA in New York, neither could have imagined the profound impact they would both have on the lives of others. Their connection was immediate, and they quickly realized they wanted to live their future together.
In 1958, they married and moved to Providence, RI, where both attended Brown University. That summer, Blackie sent a letter to Newark Academy Headmaster Robert M. Butler, inquiring about a teaching position. This letter would set in motion a remarkable chapter in their lives — including Blackie dedicating over 50 years to the school as a beloved teacher, administrator and archivist.
In 1982, Joan joined Blackie at NA in a variety of roles including Director of Admission, English faculty member and Middle School Principal. For the Parlins, Newark Academy was more than just a workplace — it was a labor of love. They inspired students to question the status quo and instilled in them a deep sense of compassion. Today, the Parlins’ rich legacy at NA remains evident each time they visit campus — most recently for the 250th anniversary celebration in 2024 — and are greeted with a line of alumni and former colleagues eager to give them hugs and catch up.
“The Parlins were much more to me than teachers,” says Trustee Rasheea Williams Hall ’95. “They provided me with a safe space at their homes in Livingston and Lake George. They taught me the importance of being well-informed and believed in me so fiercely that I had no choice but to fly. I could never thank them enough.”
In recognition of their remarkable commitment to the NA community and its students, the Blackie and Joan Parlin Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established to provide financial assistance for future NA students.
The outpouring of early support for the Blackie and Joan Parlin Endowed Scholarship Fund is a testament to the profound impact the Parlins have had as educators.
“We couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this scholarship fund that will help future generations access the education of a lifetime,” says Blackie.
To learn more about supporting the Blackie and Joan Parlin Endowed Scholarship Fund, contact Barbara Sine at (973) 992-7000 ext. 362 or bsine@newarka.edu.