Sue Robinson EAST BRUNSWICK — A personal tragedy helped inspire a local woman to work for the betterment of her community.
Starting Sept. 13, Sue Robinson will be seen in living rooms across the tri-state area as host of “Asian America.” The ebullient Robinson, a township resident who is known locally as an EBTV personality, is especially excited to host a program focused on the Asian American community.
“I want the community to understand each other, and not be in mystery of each other,” she said.
Robinson was born in Manhattan’s Chinatown, and her family later moved to a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn. She and her husband Stephen were highschool sweethearts. After studying accounting at an upstate community college, Robinson worked in banking for a decade. She gave birth to twins, Mark and Jennifer, but her daughter died of a terminal illness at a year old. By that time, Robinson’s mother and sister had moved to East Brunswick, and she and her family lived with them during the grieving period.
She recalled that people in the township were very kind and helpful to her during that difficult time, and the Robinsons decided to stay in town.
While recovering from the loss of her daughter, Robinson spent time in the East Brunswick Public Library, where the EBTV studio is located. Station manager Cindy O’Connor asked her if she would like to be an East Brunswick TV reporter, and Robinson decided to do it, in memory of Jennifer and as a way of giving back to the community.
“Rendezvous with Sue Robinson,” which she produced and hosted, ran for two successful seasons. Among the endeavors she spotlighted was Elijah’s Promise, a soup kitchen that also provides services for needy people.
Now, Robinson hopes to reach a broader audience with “Asian America,” the first English language leading public television program nationally syndicated by PBS and dedicated to Asian and Asian American issues. WNYE/NYC-TV, (Channel 25) reaches 9 million households in the tri-state area.
The first show to air will be “Feng Shui in America,” with guest speakers Master Tin Sun and Master Pun Yin, previously hired by Donald Trump to consult on the Trump International
Hotel and Tower in New York City. The second show will focus on Chinese Life Reading, which combines astrology, Feng Shui and other elements. Asian community events such as the annual Hong Kong boat festival held in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, will also be covered.
Robinson said the show will provide the community with a better awareness and understanding of the diverse cultures that exist here in American society.
“Along with the culture, I will bring to the show health awareness topics, museum discussions, and something I do currently, providing coping support for those grieving after the loss of a loved one,” she said. “Many people are not aware that there is ‘good grief,’ and when to recognize and time to seek treatment for ‘bad grief.’ I plan to bring family topics that do face everyone in life.”
Robinson is also a writer, beginning that part of her career during her time living in hospitals with her daughter. Having lost a child from terminal illness, she writes for a national online website to support parents with family bereavement. She is also writing a book, due out next spring, about the Asian Goji berry plant. It will offer soup recipes to enjoy year round, with tips on how to cultivate and harvest this popular plant variety.
For more information about “Asian America” or for information on her web site, email [email protected].