From developing visual and performance arts centers to founding a comic book publishing company to empowering diverse talent in real estate, Taneshia Nash Laird (’95) has done it all.
A breast cancer survivor who grew up in poverty and lost her home in an explosion during her time at Baruch College, she’s always kept moving forward, guided by her passion for supporting communities.
Her career has been led by her love of the arts. Early in her career, she acquired a historic office building and converted it into a first-floor art gallery with upstairs artist-work lofts. In 2012, she founded the entertainment center MIST (My Image Studios) Harlem, which further fueled her dedication to arts and culture. In her arts center career, she held positions including president, inaugural President, and CEO at Newark Symphony Hall and the Greater Roxberry Arts and Cultural Center.
Nash-Laird reflects on how she also worked in public service outside of the arts—specifically, in economic development.
“I wrote an op-ed for the Trenton Downtowner about what I saw in Trenton and the hope I had for the predominantly Black city with incredible talent that was leaving,” she says.
To her surprise, the op-ed led to a job as the head of economic development for the City of Trenton. Decades later, she now serves as the executive director of Project REAP (Real Estate Associate Program).
“There is a persistent gap in the underrepresentation of people of color in real estate,” she says. “Our founding mission is to increase minority representation with industry education and networking opportunities. Only one percent of senior commercial real estate positions are held by underrepresented groups.” She adds, “My favorite thing is that we are able to give people opportunities.”
Nash Laird recognizes how Baruch College fostered her passion for both the arts and economic development.
“I got to learn from really brilliant people,” she says. “Baruch gave me the opportunity to design my own minor, which I called Black Economic Development. I felt embraced and supported.”
No matter what sector she’s in or what challenges arise, Nash Laird lets her values lead the way.
— Erin McLaughlin-Davis