We recently connected with DeShele Taylor and have shared our conversation below.

DeShele , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The idea of performing for audiences hit me deeply at a very young age. My mom noticed the sparkle I had for creative pursuits- singing and dancing around the house, dressing up, and getting into her makeup – which ultimately led to enrollment in classes at a local dance studio, Gloria Jeans. The costumes, lights, and music…I was hooked. Fast forward a few years, and the explosion of shows featuring Black actors left a strong impression on me. Expanding on the wings of iconic TV series like Good Times and The Jeffersons in the 70s came shows like A Different World in the 80s and 227 in the 90s, these series captured the dynamic array of the Black experience and my heart right there in my living room.

The desire to express myself creatively through dance, singing, and acting was a dream my spirit burned to chase. The idea of being able to tell stories, using my talents and skills, was fascinating. I was able to cut my teeth a bit at Brooklyn Technical High School through clubs and after-school programs. My journey continued during college, where I had the privilege of leading the AHANA Dance Troupe and the Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir at Emory University. One of my best college memories is performing with a select group of dancers at the High Museum. Creative expression is powerful because it moves both the artist and audience from a place of truth and authenticity. You get to share the human experience together whether through the elegance of interpretive, modern dance to a gripping scene in a film.

After college, I continued to study dance privately, while building a professional career as a consultant in NYC and Atlanta. Admittedly, being a creative was set aside in exchange for “adulting” but the desire to be a dancer and actor never died. I serve with the dance ministry at my church, the Daughters of Divinity. It wasn’t until I saw how much Atlanta was becoming a hot spot for film and television production that I reconnected to the creative inside. I enrolled in acting classes at The Company Acting Studio and went after being a working actor. And I am so grateful I did.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Greetings All. My name is DeShele Denise Taylor, and in many pockets of my life, I am more affectionately known as Peaches. While not a Georgia Peach, I consider myself a Brooklyn girl with southern charm. I am an entrepreneur with two businesses, one in corporate social impact consulting and another in the wellness industry, called Oilistic Co. I am also a creative, who loves to crochet, hike, swim, and grow plants. Travel is another key ingredient to who I am as a person. I come from an Air Force military family. Being born in Tokyo, Japan ignited the travel bug and has led me to visit over 40 countries in my lifetime so far. I truly enjoy experiencing different communities, traditions, and cultures. I have fond memories of walking across the marble floors of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India to completing service projects in Kingston, Jamaica, and Saint George, Bermuda.

When I think about where I am with my creative endeavors, I am proud I didn’t allow my age to define the heights of my success. I dug into acting professionally later in life. At the beginning, like with anything new, there is that nagging voice (or your personal gremlin as one coach calls it. Mine is named BooNada!) that can make you question and ponder your worth. Learning the craft of acting and standing sure-footed that my unique talents, abilities, and experiences are enough, has helped me attract and complete awesome projects. There have been incredible independent films such as Rachel’s Reason, an online series called The Flex Factor, and most recently a BET+ movie, The Christmas Ringer. Each time I get to embody a new role, not only do I get the chance to share the character’s story but hear how much my work affected a person’s life in a way that moved them. That is magical and a special gift to give to the world. I can’t wait to see what the future holds next for me including being a voice actor and all that I can do to partner with other woman of color to tell more stories. I truly believe life is best marked by how much you inspire others to follow their dreams. If I can get one young lady to see her potential and go for it – whatever “IT” is, that is powerful.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Any thriving ecosystem requires talent, resources, courage, and leadership. I want society at large to deeply appreciate that art and entertainment have value. Can you imagine a world without painters, writers, novelists, dancers, singers, or actors? I can’t. And how dull we would be as a society!

Let’s establish and replicate transformative opportunities for talented artists and creatives to share their gifts with the world. This means the industry as a whole must diligently seek diversity, equity, and inclusion, invest in training and mentorship, and take risks through innovation. We certainly have made progress but there is still work to be done. I hope we explore new ways to provide resources (i.e., capital, relationships, etc.) to artists and creatives that will help them underwrite the launch or renewal of projects. How do you discover something new and brilliant without taking a risk? Failure is not a death sentence or final, it is a moment to reflect, learn, and try again. Finally, an array of leaders with decision-making power, whether in traditional roles or outgrowth of their entrepreneurial efforts, must commit to elevating the next generation of leaders for the creative ecosystem.

For individuals: Help with word-of-mouth marketing for creatives you love. Invest in their performances and arts through purchases or sponsorships. You don’t have to be a Fortune 500 company to be a supporter of the creative ecosystem. Share your network with creatives, to provide new pathways to achieve their mission and vision. Even take time to do a wellness check on an artist you know. Being a creative professional can be tough at times, but a simple call to let them know you were thinking of them could be the boost of encouragement an artist needs to stay the course and win.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

While pursuing my creative goals, such as voicing a character in an animated film and producing content focused on the rich stories of women over 40, a major life accomplishment on my bucket list is to operate an enrichment, training, and development program for youth ages 15-24, to help them transition successfully out of the foster care system. I would also like to lead a fund that provides capital for creatives to complete their passion projects.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @madam3d
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desheletaylor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@desheletaylor9719
• Other: [email protected]

Image Credits
N/A