Crystal Taylor

I attribute my success to a deep-rooted commitment to service, shaped by my role as Founder & CEO of Community Engagement, where the mission is to restore quality of life for underserved communities through health and wellness, innovative education, and community-driven engagement. My mother, the first Black physician in Clinton, North Carolina, and my father, the first Black body shop owner in that same town, instilled in me the value of perseverance and excellence. Coming from a family known for serving others, including being a fourth-generation farmer with grandparents who donated land to our family's community church, I was surrounded by examples of generosity and purpose. As a child, I watched my grandmother stuff the car with baskets of food and drive through neighborhoods selling fresh produce to people who needed it, and whatever she had left, she'd take to the local Piggly Wiggly and sell it to people, reinforcing the belief that service requires action. I learned early that integrity is the foundation of meaningful work and lasting impact. My mother taught me that if I see a problem, I should find a solution, which led me to become a Girl Scout leader in my early 20s and has guided me to take initiative, think creatively, and lead with purpose throughout my career. I've found success by doing the work without worrying about who's looking or who's noting, just doing good work, because the right people will find you and you'll find your community. I build systems to help organizations engage communities of color effectively, understanding that these communities are engaged differently and trust community bonding spaces, allowing me to get surveys and research on what's being effective and productive in mobilizing them.

The best career advice I received came from my mother, who told me that if I see a problem, I should find a solution. I was complaining to her on the phone about how the girls at Burger King were acting so rude, and my mom said, 'If you see a problem and you don't like it, you just need to make a solution for it and try to fix it. Do not get on the phone with me and complain and do all this rah-rah-rah. Like, do something about it and fix it.' That conversation led me to become a Girl Scout leader, and I've continued this mindset within my life, teaching my son too that if you see a problem, that's an opportunity for you to help have a solution to it. I learned to view challenges as opportunities to make a meaningful impact rather than obstacles to avoid. This mindset has guided me to take initiative, think creatively, and lead with purpose.

I would tell young women to go against the status quo and just do what's right. There are so many distractions for young people today, with concerns about what people think, what's gonna make money quickly, and popularity. I tell them it doesn't matter what people think. If you know you're doing something at your core, your standards of integrity are being met because of this, and it feels good in your heart, and you know that it's right for people and not just for you but for the greater good, then do it. Don't worry about what you're gonna make, don't worry about the popularity, don't worry about any of that. Do what's right, because it's right. I advise them to challenge the status quo and stand firm in doing what is right and just. True leadership is not about popularity, but about making decisions that serve the greater good. Stay grounded in your values, even when facing pressure to conform. Confidence and courage are essential in navigating complex environments and advocating for meaningful change. Your voice matters and can drive impact when used with purpose. Above all, remain focused on your mission, regardless of what others may think.

I see reduced funding, especially with the DEI cuts that came down, as one of the biggest challenges facing my field. A lot of the work I was doing with Duke, city government, and state government was funded through those types of programs, and that funding disappeared overnight. At the same time, I view it as an opportunity to go against the grain by bringing people together and finding common ground to move initiatives forward. There are old, doctrinated ideals and mindsets at the table who don't see the benefit of bringing people together and don't see the beauty and the healing that comes with bringing people together. There's an energy out right now that's been out for a long time, but it's even more encouraged right now, to separate people and keep people from coming together to recognize the similarities that we have, even when not looking the same. Being a woman doing this work is not popular, as there are more men in this industry than anything, and in Durham, North Carolina, there are not many Black women doing this kind of work. I also note a gap in women stepping up with courage and wanting to do the work by any means necessary, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity for growth in leadership. Finding young people that want to do the real work is another challenge, because a lot of people are obsessed with the idea of community work for the accolades and attention, but the real work means being musty and sweaty, digging up flower beds and planting flowers with volunteers. By encouraging more bold, values-driven leadership, I believe the field can continue to advance despite limitations.

I am deeply committed to equity and doing what's right and just, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected. My approach centers on the community, valuing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusive engagement. I believe in bringing people together and recognizing the beauty and healing that comes with that, focusing on the similarities we have even when we don't look the same. I uphold integrity as the foundation of meaningful work, believing that if something feels good in your heart and is right for people and the greater good, that's what matters. I am grounded in my faith and church community, which provide strength and guidance in both my personal and professional life. I have a beautiful church family that is a blessing, and we do so many things together, events and outings. Family is central to my values, and I especially cherish time spent with my son, who saved my life and is the best thing that ever happened to me. I enjoy going to his sporting events, as he's a huge basketball player, and traveling with him as my little road dog, going to Monster Jam and just being a kid all over again with him, enjoying life and things I missed a little bit growing up because I felt like I grew up kind of fast. I restore myself by enjoying quality time with family and friends through shared meals and going to dinner and lunch dates with my sister friends. I love reading books and just sitting up in my bed relaxing, because I'm always on and moving around. Anytime I get quiet time with my mom, or with my son, or with myself, I cherish it. I love traveling and trying new places and new things and food. In my work, I prioritize authenticity and just doing the work without worrying about who's looking or who's noting, because if you do good work, you'll find your people and your community.