Meet Tom Ingrassia

Trailer for the forthcoming documentary, One Door Closes: Korey’s Courage (based on Tom’s award winning book, On Door Closes: Overcoming Adversity By Following Your Dreams)

Remembering Mary Wilson

Black Girls Allowed published Tom’s remembrance of Mary Wilson following her death in 2021

Worcester Magazine also published Tom’s memories of Mary Wilson


Step back in time and take a musical journey to a magical era when we were all dancing in the streets!

Reflections_Love_Supreme_NIEA_WINNER_Music

 

Reflections of a Love Supreme tells the story of Motown through the eyes—and camera lenses— of its fans. Many of the photos included here have never been published before. They are personal, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the people, places and things that made Motown the music that inspired a generation.

The music of Motown brought people together more effectively than any other cultural phenomenon. It didn’t matter if you were black or white, rich or poor, young or old—we all were listening to and dancing to Motown in the 1960s. And we still are today. Motown changed the world’s image of people of color.

Get your copy now through Amazon, or MotivAct.

Check out what the Worcester T&G has to say about the ‘Motown Magic!’


Tom Ingrassia is a Motown historian, author, radio personality and motivational speaker. In 2001, Tom left a successful, 25-year career in higher education to pursue his lifelong dream of working in the entertainment industry, with the formation of Ingrassia Productions and Artist Management. Along the way, he had the opportunity to work with many of the legendary singers he grew up listening to and idolizing in the 1960s, including Arlene Smith (The Chantels), Barbara Alston (The Crystals), June Monteiro (The Toys), The Velvelettes, and Carl Gardner (The Coasters).  The highlight, however, was serving as Executive Assistant and Creative Director for Mary Wilson, of The Supremes, from 2001-05.

MA Motown Historian

Photo by Scott Erb Photography

Listen to Tom’s recent interview with Mary Wilson for iHeart Talk Radio
Read Tom’s comments in this recent article about The Supremes’ 50th anniversary from The Arizona Republic
Listen to Tom’s recent interview with Scherrie Payne of The Supremes
Check out Tom’s recent interview here

Today, Tom is president of The MotivAct Group LLC, offering holistic personal and professional development programs designed to guide his audiences to live into their dreams. An in-demand speaker, Tom travels the country with his motivational/goal setting programs, “Mental Massage(tm)” and “Making A Difference Begins With YOU…So Live Into Your Dreams,” and pop culture programs, “Motown and The Civil Rights Movement” and “Girl Power: The Supremes As Cultural Icons.”

Beginning in January, 2014, Tom is the host of “The Motown Jukebox” on WCUW 91.3FM, in Worcester, MA. Airing every Tuesday morning from 9 am to noon, Tom spins the best of the Motown Sound from the 60s to the 80s, and spins the stories behind the music. With listeners in Sweden, Florida, New York, Missouri, and elsewhere, the show streams live at www.wcuw.org.

An accomplished music journalist, Tom has more than 25 articles printed in publications ranging from Billboard, Worcester Business Journal, Spirit of Change, Goldmine, and Record Auction Monthly, to Soul Survivor and San Francisco Hot Ticket. In 2007, Tom collaborated with Barbara Alston (of The Crystals) on her autobiography, “There’s No Other,” and Carl Gardner’s (of The Coasters) autobiography, “Yakey Yak, I Fought Back.”

Tom Ingrassiawith Mary Wilson and Barbara Ingrassia

Tom & Barbara Ingrassia with Mary Wilson at Boston’s Fleet Center, 1997. Photo courtesy Thomas Ingrassia Collection.

In 2013, Tom published One Door Closes: Overcoming Adversity By Following Your Dreams (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing). The book was recently recognized with a National Indie Excellence Award for writing and presentation. One Door Closes captures the inspirational stories of 16 people from all walks of life who have triumphed over seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve their dreams. Among those interviewed for the book are Scherrie Payne of The Supremes, June Monteiro of The Toys, and Mary Wilson–who shares a special message of healing and hope that forms the Epilogue of the book.

Tom has been a consultant to a number of entertainment and media outlets, including The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, WCVB-TV (Boston), WBZ-TV (Boston), WHDH-TV, (Boston), and WXYZ-TV (Detroit). He has appeared on television and radio shows around the country, including “New England Newsmakers,” “Audio Journal,” “January Jones Sharing Success Stories,” “Ramona Interviews,” “The Boomer and The Babe,” and “Soapbox.” In 2002 and 2004, he worked closely with The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to coordinate The Legendary Girl Groups Commemorative Stamps unveiling ceremony, and “Reflections: The Mary Wilson Supremes Gown Collection.”

Memorabilia from the Thomas Ingrassia Collection has been exhibited at the Whitley Gallery (Los Angeles), Barbican Centre (London), Lockhart Gallery (Geneseo, NY), Albany Institute of Art and History, the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum (Austin).

Berea College poster

Courtesy Berea College

Tom’s speaking engagements have included the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, Worcester Art Museum, Berea College Distinguished Speaker Series, Alice Lloyd College, Albany Institute of Art and History, State University of New York, the Long Island Museum, Cape Cod Community College, Worcester Public Library, Jacob Edwards Library, North Shore Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Massasoit Community College, Worcester State University, Leominster Public Library, Worcester Institute for Senior Education, and the Valencia Men’s Club.

Prior to entering the entertainment industry in 2001, Tom spent 25 years in higher education and private industry, achieving the position of assistant dean of the Graduate School of Management at Clark University. He also has been affiliated with Assumption College, Regis College, Urbana College, West Virginia Northern Community College, and the State Mutual Companies. Tom earned his bachelor of arts degree in history from the State University of New York at Geneseo. He holds a master of arts degree in history from  the University of Connecticut.

Tom lives by the motto, “Learn from the turtle—it only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.”