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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon

Taina Millsap

Taina Millsap, Staff Writer

Taina Millsap is originally from Fortaleza, Brazil, but calls San Diego, CA home as well ever since she moved there in 2013. She is currently a News and Magazine staff writer, previously she acted as The Beacon’s Living Arts Editor. When she is not writing articles and editing for the Beacon she can be found working on her internship with Flaunt magazine.

Latest from Taina Millsap
The first comedic arts class as freshmen, when they entered the college in 2016.

First comedic arts major graduates reflect on program one year later

By Taina Millsap / April 21, 2021

Following their 2020 graduation, Emerson’s first comedic arts class is finding new ways to do what they love in the midst of the pandemic—from hosting...

The first graduating cohort of the Speech@Emerson program on Aug. 23, 2020.

Speech@Emerson grows to college’s largest graduate program

By Taina Millsap / March 29, 2021

In just three years, Speech@Emerson has become the largest graduate program at the college, with 654 students enrolled as of 2020.  The program, which...

During quarantine I had to come to terms with my own negative thoughts.

Being OK with not feeling OK

By Taina Millsap / October 14, 2020

As a Latina woman, I’ve always been surrounded by happiness and the mindset that everything is fine. Even my grandma, who fought depression all her life,...

David Dower, left, will leave Emerson in January

ArtsEmerson leadership to change in new year

By Taina Millsap / September 16, 2020

David Dower will step down from his leadership roles at Emerson’s Office of the Arts, ArtsEmerson, and HowlRound at the end of 2020, according to...

For some spots, like Maria’s, college campuses reopening could boost their chances of turning a profit in a year otherwise marred by financial ruin.

Nearby restaurants ‘excited’ by return of college-aged patrons

By Taina Millsap, Shruti Rajkumar and Katie Redefer / September 2, 2020

Businesses neighboring the bustling Emerson campus usually overflow with students, tourists, and commuters in early September. But this year, several nearby...

"I don’t think I’ll ever not love fantasy, but I’m excited for my literary taste to grow with me and read about different experiences."

In quarantine, I revisited my taste in books—and it changed for the better

By Taina Millsap / September 2, 2020

Throughout my entire childhood, I always loved books. I forced my grandma to take me to the bookstore after my Friday classes every week, so that I could...

Virtual offseason workouts underway for men's and women's soccer

Virtual offseason workouts underway for men’s and women’s soccer

By Taina Millsap, Living Arts Editor / April 18, 2020

The men’s and women’s soccer teams have both found ways to bond and train together since moving back home in mid-March, through virtual workouts over...

TV writer and producer Keto Shimizu ‘07 and Senior Performing Arts major Alison Qu were chosen for student and alumni distinction awards Friday by the EVVYs.

EVVYs announce alumni and student distinction awards

By Taina Millsap, Living Arts Editor / April 17, 2020

The 39th annual EVVY awards announced the recipients of the Alumni Award of Distinction and the Student Award of Distinction on Friday. Comic book and...

Junior Naomi Jones walks the runway at fashion show organized by EBONI. Photo credit: Montse Landeros

EBONI fashion show highlights local designers

By Taina Millsap / February 19, 2020

Emerson students walked the BLK OUT runway in the Lion's Den, in the midst of technical difficulties and Tik Tok dance competitions during intermission,...

Journalist-in-residence’s project set to be shown at Salem State University

Journalist-in-residence’s project set to be shown at Salem State University

By Taina Millsap / February 13, 2020

Emerson journalist-in-residence Lina Giraldo taught immigrant community members how to build cameras from recycled materials in 2018 as part of a project...

Photo credit: Asia Kepka

Emerson artist in residence releases book about transition

By Taina Millsap / February 5, 2020

A few months before P. Carl’s fifty-first birthday, just over two years ago, he made the final steps to transition from female to male. Around a year...

Anna Feder at the Bright Lights Film Series in 2019.

Bright Lights Film Festival set to screen controversial film ‘Adam’

By Taina Millsap / November 11, 2019

Emerson College plans to screen Adam at the Nov. 12 Bright Lights Film Festival—a movie that has drawn significant criticism from the LGBTQ community...

The four stars of "Hysteria stare down the audience. From left to right: Meaghan Robichaud, Leah Thomas, LaWanda Hopkins, Vanessa Walters. Photo: Duncan Novak / Beacon Correspondent

Neo-Political Cowgirls perform for Lucas Flint scholarship fund

By Taina Millsap and Abigail Hadfield / November 1, 2019

On a cold, rainy night in Boston, a silent audience sat in Old South Church under dim lighting, waiting in fear while veiled figures gradually appeared...

Henderson-West (far right) poses with attendees and performers at Emerson's first-ever Vogue Kiki Ball. Photo courtesy of Christopher Henderson-West

Haus of Emerson named first-ever collegiate vogue ballroom

By Taina Millsap / September 4, 2019

Christopher Henderson-West initially met with vogue instructor London Lewis to bring vogue workshops to Emerson. About a month after their initial conversation,...

Senior Victoria Raschi won the Outstanding Business Startup EVVY award for her company Hear Buddies, which designs accessories for children’s hearing aids. • Courtesy of Victoria Raschi

E3 Expo allows students to pitch business ventures

By Taina Millsap / April 18, 2019

Junior Julia Perry has struggled with an eating disorder since she was a teenager. The lack of knowledge Perry, her family, and her friends had on the...

Alex Clark '07 wrapped up his nationwide comedy tour on March 31. - Photo courtesy of Alex Clark

Alumnus comedian finds success on YouTube

By Taina Millsap / April 2, 2019

Before going viral on YouTube, Alex Clark ‘07 performed comedy on street corners for tips. Clark started at Faneuil Hall in Boston and ended up traveling...

Em Spooner (center) and Denzil Leach (back) of Squitch will open for Japanese Breakfast with  student band, Pool Boys. • Courtesy of Squitch

Emerson bands Pool Boys and Squitch open show for Japanese Breakfast

By Taina Millsap / March 28, 2019

When WECB announced they wanted students to open for popular artist Japanese Breakfast, junior Jasper Cote and his rock band, Pool Boys, had their fingers...

Taina Millsap - Graphic by Ally Rzesa / Beacon Staff

Person of Color Column: There is no right way to look like a person of color

By Taina Millsap / March 20, 2019

For the first 13 years of my life, as I grew up in Fortaleza, Brazil, I never heard the term “white-passing.” No one ever questioned my ethnicity because...

Junior Elise Sanchez launched a personal style box service, P.S., that aims to build confidence and inspire women shopping on a budget. - Photo by Madison Goldberg / Beacon Correspondent

Junior launches styling business for women on a budget

By Taina Millsap / March 13, 2019

Junior marketing major Elise Sanchez always loved fashion, but recently she realized that her passion within the industry was helping everyday women feel...

Alumna Eva Konstantopoulos co-wrote the script of “Malevolent,” a new Netflix horror film based on her book “Hush.” - Photo courtesy of Eva Konstantopoulos

Alumna’s horror novel adapted for Netflix film

By Taina Millsap / February 14, 2019

Eva Konstantopoulos’ ’05 dream came true last year when Netflix released her fictional story “Malevolent” into a film, eight years after the...

Freshmen Eryn McCallum (left) and Liza Xiao (right) began an initiative to start a Circle K International service organization on campus. •  Maia Sperber / Beacon Staff

Freshmen bring community service to Emerson

By Taina Millsap / January 31, 2019

Freshmen Eryn McCallum and Liza Xiao arrived on campus last semester ready to start volunteering and give back to their community both in the Greater Boston...

Theyta, Emerson’s first non-binary club, created bracelets at their first official meeting.
Photo by Taina Millsap / Beacon Correspondent

Theyta creates community for non-binary students

By Taina Millsap / December 2, 2018

Per request of the students, last names have been adjusted or not included due to privacy reasons. Non-binary students met at the Cultural Center for...

Students working on a film set.

Alumna’s film highlights stress of social media, wins at festival

By Taina Millsap / October 10, 2018

Ashley Zipperman ‘18 never imagined her class project would go on to win at the Burbank International Film Festival. Zipperman’s short film “Verified”—which...