Today we’d like to introduce you to Toya Taylor.
Hi Toya, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
My name is Toya Taylor, I am a paranoid schizophrenic with manic depressive bipolar disorder! I have been working with the community since 1999 when I did my very first Black Women United Beauty Pageant! Working with young ladies 8-18 years old. From there, I branched off to several different avenues to try to work with as many people as I could! I put on beauty pageants, fashion shows, talent shows, artist showcases, open mic nights, rap battles, benefits concerts, feeding the homeless, praise dancing, hip hop dancing, and now stage plays!
I have been writing since 15 years old but this wrote, produce, and direct my very first stage play. After losing my son to gun violence here in Memphis, I had to find a way to channel my hurt and turn his tragedy into a victory. My son and his fiancee were murdered in their home on July 23 in Whitehaven, the case still remains unsolved. He was only 23 and she was 21! Losing a child is the deepest cut a person can imagine. I was going into a very dark place when my daughter reminded me how “WRITING” has helped in the past with my depression!
I picked up a pen and started back writing through my pain. A year later, I brought my stage play “If She Only Knew” to stage. It was a lot of dark and lonely nights but through my pain, I still wanted to HELP OTHERS! I had to realize that my calling was to help others! God gave me a vision and the devil tried so hard to stop me and block me but I surrounded myself with people who wanted an opportunity to shine.
I couldn’t afford to pay the actors or actresses but they came together made my vision come to life. We performed my 1st stage play at the Halloran Centre in Memphis Tennessee on Sunday, October 24. It was not sold out but we did have a nice crowd praise God!!!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Along the way from 1999 to 2021, was not easy for me, I was in and out of the mental hospital for severe depression, suicidal thoughts and attempts, separation anxiety, and loneliness! The cycle keeps repeating itself and I just couldn’t get it under control!
On the Manic (Up) side of my cycle, I would be pushing shows and community events! But as soon as I hit the depression (down) side of my Cycle it was not good at all. Meds and hospitalizations just weren’t working for me.
I lost two husbands, my dad and my son during this process, the devil really tried to stop me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I currently am an Assistant Profit Center Manager for TA Truck Service in West Memphis, AR, I have been with the company for many years, I started as a cashier, then worked my way to a mechanic, then a lead, and now a manager!
The truck service is what I am paid to do but I don’t feel that is what I am “Called” to do! So every free moment I get I’m trying to do something for the community.
I’m a very hard worker and I treat everyone the way I want to be treated and always have a smile on my face while doing it! I feel that is what sets me apart from others!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
God and family are what matters most to me! I give honor to God first because he is the author of my life! Without him, I am nothing but with him I can achieve everything that I set my heart too!
My family is what’s next: My family believes in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I am my worst critic but I love my family and will give my last breath to make sure they are ok
Contact Info:
- Email: ladestinee.ent@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaDestinee.Entertainment
- Youtube: LaDestinee Entertainment
