By Nan Price, Content Manager, MetroHartford Alliance
Meet Samantha Taylor, Connecticut Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
WHY HARTFORD?
SAMANTHA TAYLOR: I came to Hartford after securing my first “grown-up” job as the Communications Coordinator at the Connecticut Science Center. Truthfully, the initial decision to move Hartford was kind of a rash one. I was sick of the commute from Plainville, desperate to switch up my small-town lifestyle, and comfortable enough with the city that I felt it was the right location to strike out on my own. Sometimes rash decisions are the best ones you’ll ever make!
HOW HAVE YOU BECOME A PART OF HARTFORD?
SAM: Hartford has so much to offer! There are so many great events and things happening all the time. Pre-COVID-19, most nights or weekends were wrapped around our favorite Hartford happenings—catching a show at Sea Tea Improv, enjoying a night out at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, grabbing dinner or drinks at one of the many amazing restaurants, taking a walk by the river or through the park—and that just names a few.
But I really started to feel a part of the city last summer, when I was selected to participate in the Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps Hartford cohort. The experience opened my eyes to the many different ways I could offer support for my community and put me in touch with some amazing individuals working on great initiatives to support Hartford.
HOW HAS HARTFORD BECOME A PART OF WHO YOU ARE?
SAM: I feel so lucky to call Hartford my home. From working at the Connecticut Science Center to transitioning to work at the Connecticut State Capitol, and then to head back downtown to work for Senator Blumenthal, I’ve had the distinct privilege to not only build my career in Hartford, but ultimately find my passion here.
And, through the opportunity of participating in the Community Leadership Corps, I learned so many impactful skills I will continue to grow here in Hartford. Besides just enjoying the city, I was able to see what I could truly offer the city.
WHAT MAKES HARTFORD UNIQUE?
SAM: Whenever anybody asks me what I like about living in Hartford, I always end up saying the same thing: “It’s a city that doesn’t feel like a city.” What I mean by that is that Hartford has all the great features of a city—amazing food, great event venues, awesome museums, stuff always happening—but you never have that “lost in the crowd” feeling you experience in a bigger city. You always feel like you are a part of the community.
WHERE DO YOU SEE HARTFORD IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
SAM: I really do see Hartford thriving in the next five to 10 years. The strength of this community will continue to be Hartford’s greatest asset. There is just so much talent and passion within the members of this city that still needs to be utilized and grown.