Ta’Ron Glascoe takes to a different stage

The triple threat Umoja student has found a new direction studying business at Valley College.  

By: Kaia Mann, Editor-in-chief 

Ta'Ron Glascoe has been performing since the age of five. He now serves as the backup Vice President of the Black Student Union at Valley. (Alejandro Rafael for The Valley Star)

As early as elementary school, Ta’Ron Glascoe was performing for his friends on the bus ride home from school. As they drove through the streets, he sang songs from movies and TV, his passion for the arts revving to life. Now, forced to switch gears, Glascoe walks into the Umoja Center, where a new route awaits him in academics.

“I moved to LA to be an artist,” said the 34 year old. “One day, I was driving by Valley and I saw the sign and I decided. I'm gonna give school a try, you know? And it changed everything.” 

A New York native, Glascoe found his love for performing early, as early as five years old. At 21, he signed with an agent, officially launching a global career under the stage name Ty Glascoe. Through singing, songwriting, acting, and dancing, he found his purpose.

“It got me attention to be honest,” said the triple threat. “I was a shy kid and it felt like performance gave me a purpose. It gave me validation.” 

Glascoe dedicated his high school and college years to the arts, including studies at Berklee College of Music and the Broadway Dance Center. He has worked professionally in many disciplines, appearing on screen in the TV shows “Black-ish” and “Powers”, as well as writing and recording original music. 

In 2015, a labrum injury—a tear in the ring of cartilage in his shoulder—forced him to pivot, bringing his dance career to an abrupt halt. Determined to continue he pushed through the pain for years. But in 2020, while performing on a cruise ship, his boss let him go. It was then that Glascoe fully realized he could no longer do what he loved—what had defined his life for over 24 years.

‘“I liked to sing songs or to dance, I was always that kid,” said Glascoe. “Now imagine that feeling impossible after doing so much work. I felt like I lost my identity, I lost my value as a person because at that time, my performance validated me as a being.” 

At Valley, Glascoe is studying business and economics, hoping to work in entertainment, this time, behind the scenes. With a passion for the inner workings of the music and film industries, he hopes to help young performers like himself navigate the industry.

Dressed head-to-toe in Umoja gear, Glascoe has found a home in the Umoja Black Scholars program, saying, “It's more than just counseling.” As a business and economics major, he serves as the backup vice president for the Black Student Union, participating in community outreach, volunteer work, and team outings.

“When I first got on campus, I was a lost puppy,” he said. “Now I'm in the [Umoja] office every day—in fact, I just left. They've given me structure and direction. They've helped me in every way that I needed, as far as mentorship, counseling, community advice and friendship.”

As a non-traditional student, Glascoe draws inspiration from those around him and finds fulfillment in mentoring younger students. He tries to lead with compassion and teamwork, attributing his emotional intelligence to his acting career. Growing up as an artist allowed him to explore one side of his brain, while his time at Valley now challenges him to develop the other side. Through it all, he emphasizes an important lesson: “It is never too late.”

Academically, Glascoe struggled growing up, but his mother’s words kept him focused: “You’re going to be a Morehouse man.” Morehouse College is one of the most prestigious historically Black colleges in the U.S. Glascoe is proud to say Morehouse is one of the many four-year universities he was accepted into, adding, “For me, it was an acceptance not just for me, but for her.”

“He didn’t just crumble, he bounced back stronger,” said Glascoe's mother, Jonette Glascoe-Spann. “I Knew it was in him the whole time.” 

Recently, the Umoja member was selected as a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Scholarship, chosen from 1,600 applicants. The scholarship awards $55,000 to the finalists. While performing will always be part of his life and something he may return to, he sees this recognition as a sign that he’s moving in the right direction.

“My time at Valley helped me find purpose outside of just validation from an audience,” he said. “ I discovered that I have value already. I have value for my mind. I have value for my opinion, not just my artistry. My artistry is a part of me but doesn't define me.”