We were lucky to catch up with Aaron Showtime Taylor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aaron Showtime , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Leaving prison after 9,549, 3 weeks before my 55th birthday, I knew I only had one shot at becoming a Play by Play commentator in the public. Yes, for 26yrs I had a captive audience and zero competition. Out here though was a different animal. I’m competing against people who went to school and have degrees in Communication and Broadcasting. I took the risk because I was too old to g9 to work at a regular 9 to 5. Too many old injuries, too many unhealed hidden scars. However, I had a plan that was well crafted and it all started by getting hired by the Venice Basketball League.
That first day, they wanted to shoot film, making me a part of their documentary.
I was nervous too. I mean, how would I be accepted? How would I be greeted? Noone knew of me exce0t through the Fox Documentary Q Ball…

That risk has proven to be worth it. Although I have not reached the NBA Finals, I did reach the NBA.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I began doing Play by Play commentary in jail. Actually started at Glen Helen in San Bernardino, then later – after I was arrested for Attempted Armed Robbery and Assault with a Deadly Weapon, I did it for 26yrs inside of CDCR. I knew I 2as good but there was no measuring stick to judge. Once I reached San Quentin in 2012 and actually met Bob Myers, Coach Jackson and Draymond Green, and they heard me, then I knew I had a shot at doing this in the free world.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The goals that drive me are: 1. To become the first Formerly Incarcerated American to call an NBA Finals.
2. To be a representative of what can happen that’s positive as it relates to the Formerly Incarcerated Americans.
3. To prove every pastor, preacher, minister and politicians wrong about their decision to craft and pass the 1994 Crime Bill. That legislation decimated black and brown communities and is the root cause of many of the current issues within our communities today.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I have 21k Supporters on tiktok. I did this by being consistent. The 5k Supporters I have on ig, I built through consistency. You can’t be wishy washy with this: you can’t think that you’re owed a follow or reel views. If you do? You’ll be discouraged quick. Don’t worry about likes.
Don’t worry about views
Just post your content. You also need a niche so that you stand out. If you’re just like everyone else, you won’t stand out. If you aren’t prepared to post for 3 to 5 years with no results, then don’t even try it. You’ll become frustrated.
It takes patience and perseverance to tackle the social media world.

Contact Info:

• Website: aaronshowtimetaylor.com
• Instagram: Aaron Showtime Taylor
• Facebook: Aaron Showtime Taylor
• Linkedin: Aaron Showtime Taylor
• Twitter: @rebirthofchick
• Youtube: Aaron Showtime Taylor
• Other: Tiktok, you’ll find me @UncleDaddyGranpa

Image Credits
Getty images on the pic with Steph Curry, @extremeonpromotions on the photos for Revolver TV