The Greater Roxbury Arts and Culture Center (GRACC) has selected Taneshia Nash Laird as President and CEO, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). She will begin her tenure on December 5, 2022.
A thought nonprofit leader, business consultant, and social change agent, Taneshia Nash Laird is known for her outstanding achievements in organizational transformation and strategic visioning. Most recently, Nash Laird served as President and CEO at Newark Symphony Hall, where she championed the revitalization of this historic 96-year-old venue, leading it through numerous successful operational advancements. Under her visionary guidance, Newark Symphony Hall launched the long-term $50 million renovation project for which it was awarded grant funds from the Historic Trust. Nash Laird also devised new community-focused programming including the NJ Youth Poet Laureate Program and the Lab at Newark Symphony Hall, a career accelerator and business incubator in performing arts and filmed and live entertainment. Previously, Nash Laird held the position as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Princeton. She has also served as Director of Economic Development & Acting Director of Housing Production for the City of Trenton, Regional Director of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Director of the Trenton Downtown Association. Nash Laird is the founder of Legacy Business Advisors, a consulting agency that offers broad-ranging assistance to social and cultural entrepreneurs navigating through pivotal stages of development.
A trusted voice within the nonprofit sector, Nash Laird is devoted to using her platform to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her current mentorships and board affiliations include National Independent Venue Foundation, Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, GradFutures at Princeton University’s Graduate School, Diversify the Stage, and Women in Music. She is also the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including NJBIZ Power 100, NJBIZ Top 50 Women in Business, ROI-NJ People of Color Influencers, and Spectrum Circle’s Innovation in the Arts, amongst others.
In making the announcement, Nubian Ascends Partners Managing Partner Richard Taylor said, “The Boston arts, cultural and music community is honored to welcome the gifted Taneshia Nash Laird to our city. Her leadership as president of the Nubian Performance Hall will provide a magnificent platform for community-based groups and visiting performance talent that seek a diverse audience venue in Boston. She has a distinguished record of accomplishments at Newark Symphony Hall and other prior roles, which cumulatively make her the perfect selection for Boston.”
Nash Laird said the nonprofit performing arts center will be a space where Black theater, Black dance, Black cinema, and Black art are brought to the forefront. It aims to be a world-class, industry-leading venue and the nexus for Black culture in Boston, she said.
“Big congratulations to the Greater Roxbury Arts and Cultural Center on its appointment of Taneshia Nash-Laird and standing alongside them during this process. Nash-Laird is a force in the arts and culture sector, a champion and advocate for BIPOC/ALAANA artists, and a fundraiser with the highest standards,” said ACG Assistant Vice President Trinity Villanueva. “She is the unicorn that many organizations desire, as she leaves no stone unturned and elevates the field in every initiative she touches. We are looking forward to seeing how Roxbury will be beneficially impacted by its new dynamic duo of GRACC Board Chair Kai Grant and President & CEO Taneshia Nash-Laird!”
November 2022