(NEWARK, NJ) -- Newark Symphony Hall (NSH), New Jersey’s largest Black-led arts and entertainment venue, has hired Director of Development Mack Graham to lead its new fundraising department. In his new role, funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Graham will create and steward relationships and partnerships for NSH to sustain and increase funding streams.

“I’m thrilled that Mack has joined our leadership team, as he brings deep experience in social justice advocacy, nonprofit leadership and brand development,” said NSH’s President and CEO Taneshia Nash Laird. “As we continue to raise funds for a $50 million renovation timed with our 100^th birthday in 2025, Mack’s unique mix of experience and talents will be invaluable to us.”

Before joining NSH, Graham was the executive director of the Long Beach Martin Luther King Center in Long Beach, N.Y., where he managed programs, fundraising, finances, communications, and staffing. He has also served as director of development at Lifeline Center for Child Development, a development manager for iMentor, and director of outreach at Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations (TANO).

"As a community organizer, I am inspired by the Newark Symphony Hall's legacy and its commitment to empowering the community through arts, invaluable educational programs, and outreach,” said Graham. “I am thrilled to be part of this organization and look forward to continuing the work to rejuvenate the community of Newark."

NSH enjoys a long, rich cultural history as one of N.J.’s oldest and largest showcases for the arts, education, and entertainment programming. Originally known as the Salaam Temple, the Shriners built the expansive facility in 1925, which features an elegant interior in Greek and Egyptian styles. All NSH-presented programs are mission-centric, fulfilling their role as a center of culture and community and fostering local artistic expression and appreciation of the performing arts.

Graham holds a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership from Fordham University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stony Brook University. After beginning his professional career marketing musical acts for Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group, Graham chose a social-services path and became a foster-care planner in 2010, working as an advocate for children and families.  

A Staten Island native, Graham is an active member of Gathering for Justice's Justice League NYC and serves on the Board of Directors at the Lower East Side Family Union.

Born in 1925, Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) has been home to nearly a century of arts and culture in what is one of New Jersey’s oldest and largest arts and entertainment venues. NSH remains as committed as ever to providing an artistically rich experience for art lovers of all ages, while creating career pathways for people of color from around the world and bettering both its community and Greater Newark. Some of the Symphony Hall’s legendary acts over the years have included Placido Domingo, The Rolling Stones, Amalia Rodrigues, Celia Cruz, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin, among others.