CENTERSTAGE | BLACK MEN IN LEADERSHIP
KEVIN TAYLOR
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS, EQUITY & DIVERSITY HIGHLANDS COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Kevin Taylor has spent his entire career committed to serving; 8 years as a classroom teacher, 6 years as a middle and high school principal, and 10 years and counting in educational executive leadership positions. In addition, over the past 5 years, Kevin has utilized his skills and expertise formed through professional and life experiences leading schools and districts to support and consult in the areas of cultural proficiency, equity, responsiveness and leadership. In his profession, Kevin has the opportunity to impact and change perspectives that people hold towards other people, groups, sexual orientations, etc., through facilitating and leading experiential activities and conversations that begin by first delving into reflective practices about yourself. The challenges are that as a community we consistently need to be reminded or awakened to the fact that everyone has biases, and that by recognizing them and addressing them, it helps you become a better version of yourself. Kevin was born and raised in Oakland. He graduated from Cal State Northridge with a B.S. in Sociology and received his masters in Educational Administration from San Jose State University. Kevin has received numerous accolades recognizing his work in education including the Community Hero Award from the 100 Black Men of America, the Future History Maker Award from the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, and the Bay Area Educational Leadership Award to list a few. He remains committed to improving the educational outcomes for all students and spends his free time with his wife Michelle and their daughters Desiree, 18, and Sophia, 3.
Berkeley and Oakland, and played a major role in the raising of four grandsons who all attained at least a master’s degree. Last, but not least, I admire my mother who has never allowed any hurdle to stand in her way that I can recall in my lifetime. Having my older brother very young, discrimination, the loss of her parents, multiple sclerosis, nothing stops here, I admire her fight and perseverance.
FAVORITES: Favorite book: The Autobiography of Malcolm X
What is sexy about a woman and what is not? Sexy – her intelligence and self confidence and not sexy – unintelligent.
Favorite cologne: Soap (Aesop) OUR CONVERSATION: Trademark: K.T. the extremely passionate go-to guy for cultural proficiency and equity, that makes us think and laugh. Black woman you admire: My wife, my grandmother, and my mom. My wife grew up in an extremely segregated part of the country, literally on an island, but was so respected and regarded that she became her high school student body president and committed herself to becoming an entrepreneur (a successful one) after scaling the cooperate ladder several times and finally deciding that wasn’t the path for her. My maternal grandmother was the first black woman to graduate from Fresno State University, receiving a Teaching Degree (what would now be a teaching credential), but due to her race and “official limits” on the number of black teachers public school districts were allowed to hire at the time she was never allowed to have the opportunity to teach in a traditional setting. Instead she used her vast skills to teach at community centers and churches throughout | 1 8 | T H E HU B MA G A Z I N E
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Best work day strategy: Have a routine and stick to it. Before the sun comes up, start with prayer/meditation, work out, read (something that will improve you), be thankful for something, then start your family routine and work schedule. No matter what give yourself that time, no matter how early you have to get up in order to complete it. Who cooks the best? • • • • •
My mom cooks the best ...apple pie My wife cooks the best ...Pho’ (soup) I can cook the best ...anything with chicken…period! My daughter cooks the best...Pasta (Desiree) My dad makes the best BBQ
Greatest achievement: Personal - my family and professional - my time as principal at McClymonds High School in Oakland.