If you think the importance of representation, diversity and the arts are some theoretical notions that don’t have real effects on people’s lives and their communities, Talia Young has a story to tell ya.
On this episode, Young, the President and CEO of Newark Symphony Hall talks with Jersey Angle co-host Mark Bonamo on the stage of the storied century-old theater where everyone from Billy Holiday and the Rolling Stones to Jim Hendrix and Queen Latifah have performed. She describes growing up in the dizzyingly diverse suburb of Teaneck and how that prepared her first for a career in politics, and now as the leader of one of New Jersey’s most iconic, historic and fabled arts institutions. You’ll want to listen just for the Teaneck stuff, believe us.
Photo: Talia Young and Mark Bonamo
“So I grew up in a community where before I got home my mother already knew what I did,” Young recalls. “Because it was people and connections and they valued it and they wanted it. And you went to school from middle school elementary to high school with Black, Latin, Indian, Hindu, Puerto Rican, Jewish people.”
“So the ability to kind of just look at people, communicate with people, and get past all your differences is because I was raised on that as a cornerstone.”
Listen to where those Teaneck superpowers are taking her, the Jersey gem she now leads and the City of Newark. Let us know what you think and hit the subscribe button to get all future episodes.
The Jersey Angle is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Photo courtesy of Newark Symphony Hall.
Episode 2: Talia Young: from Teaneck to a Newark arts temple