Basketball Court to the Writer’s Room: Talia Caldwell ’09

What keeps you up at night and what gets you up in the morning? It is a question that resonates with many of us at different stages of our lives, and for Talia Caldwell ’09, it embodies her unwavering commitment to greatness. "Greatness is actually tattooed on me," she says, recounting how her mother's inspirational words instilled in her the belief that being good was never enough; she needed to be exceptional.

Talia's journey through life has been marked by a delicate dance between competitiveness and collaboration. She's a naturally competitive person, driven by a relentless urge to excel. She began playing basketball at an early age, and by the time she was 11, she was already competing against 14- and 15-year-olds. But for her, competitiveness is not an individual pursuit. "You're never doing anything by yourself," she emphasizes. In her eyes, collaboration is not just about working together but also about bringing quality, commitment, and focus to every endeavor.

She attributes a significant part of her success to her formative years at Marlborough, where she learned that academic excellence and the value of education extend well beyond traditional classroom hours. Reflecting on her demanding schedule, she remarks, "School doesn't stop at 3:00 p.m." Her daily routine consisted of giving her best during school hours, excelling on the basketball court during after-school practices and games, and then returning home to complete assignments and prepare for upcoming tests. While she helped to lead the basketball team's impressive record, which included three State Championships and four CIF Championships during her time at Marlborough, it was the school’s commitment to academic excellence and the encouragement of pursuing one's passions that deeply resonated with her. The school's belief that there are no unreasonable goals for its students mirrored her own philosophy of striving for the exceptional in whatever areas you find your joy. 

"I thought I wasn't going to like attending a girls’ school," Talia admits, recounting her initial apprehensions. Growing up, she had mostly male friends, and the transition to a girls’ school seemed daunting. However, her experience at Marlborough shattered those expectations. She found herself among a diverse and supportive community that embraced her fully. It was here that she realized the importance of hearing that "your daughter is the priority."

In particular, the Black community at Marlborough was an incredible source of strength for her. "We were big and mighty, and honestly, inseparable,” Talia shares, highlighting the deep bonds formed during those years. “Friends like Jade Smith ’09 and I still text each other with the same nicknames today that we had in 8th Grade." These friendships left an indelible mark on her, teaching her the value of healthy peer pressure and the importance of supporting one another without ego or jealousy. To this day, she is still able to be her full self with these friends. 

That is part of the reason why she is an active member of our Young Alumnae Council and why she co-founded a Black Marlborough alumnae affinity group, Black Violets, which aims to unite and support fellow alumnae of color. “Marlborough is so unique, and I want all of our Black alumnae to know that we have a network right here, and that this sisterhood is forever,” Talia explains. “We are here to support one another, lift each other up, and continue that bond that we created so many years ago.”

Talia was recruited to the University of California, Berkeley for basketball while she was in 8th Grade; she verbally committed to the school in 2008. Her primary criterion in choosing the Division I college was its reputation for exceptional academic programming. She understood that her basketball career could be cut short by any injury, so she aimed to set herself up for success beyond sports. Her time at the Haas Business School at UC Berkeley carried forward the lessons she learned at Marlborough. The rigorous academic structure instilled in her a deep respect for rules and the importance of mastering them before seeking freedom. She also learned humility, grit, and the constant desire to improve, surrounded by peers who were similarly motivated to excel.

After graduating, Talia's passion for sports led her to a successful professional basketball career, playing overseas in Poland, Spain, Israel, Puerto Rico, Greece, and Russia. While the opportunities for women in sports differed from country to country, her foundation in collaboration and her understanding of the value of women's agency carried her through challenging times. It was during her time playing overseas that she discovered her love for writing, sharing her story and experiences through blogging. In January 2020, The New York Times solicited her to write a piece in the wake of Kobe Bryant’s untimely death. Her article, Why the WNBA Loved Kobe Bryant, went viral.  

Like many, Talia’s life took a turn in March 2020 as the world closed down due to the pandemic. She went from scoring 16 of the 81 winning points on March 8, 2020 against AZS UMCS Lublin to receiving an email from the Sleza Wroclaw Team owner telling her to pack her bags and go home because the United States was closing its borders. It was the first break she had since graduating from Marlborough, and with the political and social justice climate heightened by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others, Talia felt compelled to do more for her community.

During the pandemic, Talia wasted no time in mobilizing her efforts to assist those in need. When she wasn’t participating in Black Lives Matter marches, she was spearheading a movement in Echo Park, CA. What began as a small act of support for the houseless community in Echo Park became a lifeline for many individuals and families affected by COVID-19. Talia began The Echo Park Fund through a call-out on her Instagram. This blossomed into the distribution of thousands of supplies—such as water, ice, lotion, sunscreen, chapstick, and other essentials—to vulnerable communities. Recognizing that many were struggling to access basic necessities, she and her team of volunteers worked tirelessly to bridge this gap. Talia extended her efforts to support children who depended on schools for their daily meals. Knowing that for some, school was not just about education but also a reliable source of nutrition, she and approximately 20 volunteers provided hot meals and backpacks to those students in need. “I saw all these Black and brown children who were affected, and I needed to help,” Talia shares. “So that’s what I did with my friends: we tutored kids, we played with them, and we helped them with their resumes.” With schools transitioning to remote learning, Talia recognized the digital divide that threatened to exacerbate educational inequalities. To address this issue, she and her team donated 2,000 laptops to the community, ensuring that students had the tools they needed to continue their education from home.

As her basketball career entered an indefinite pause, Talia found solace in the embrace of "boring stability." It was during this period that she nurtured her fervor for writing and storytelling, led by her desire to inspire and connect with others through storytelling. Her pursuit of a Master in Fine Arts in Film at the USC School of Cinematic Arts was a natural progression. Now, as a consultant for Apple TV’s Swagger, she is relishing in this moment of her career, creating stories and seeing them come to life. Talia’s experiences remind us that greatness isn't just a destination; it's a journey of continuous growth, self-discovery, and the relentless pursuit of one’s own definition of “excellence.”