Meet Jalen Taylor

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jalen Taylor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jalen below.

Hi Jalen, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience is deeply rooted in the communities I’ve been part of and the practices I’ve nurtured over time. Growing up, I witnessed strength within my family and broader community, watching them carry forward through challenges with grace, perseverance, and often through creative expression. This legacy of resilience grounds me and inspires my work on uplifting children, families, and underserved communities in ways that honor their unique strengths.

Creative practices, particularly Soul Collage and therapy, are also key to my resilience. These methods allow me to access and process the layers of my identity and personal history, particularly as a Black queer woman, in ways that are healing and empowering. My journey as an artist and therapist reminds me that resilience is both a personal and communal resource, and that true resilience often emerges from our ability to transform challenges into meaningful growth.

Working within community has shown me that resilience is more than just bouncing back—it’s about transforming difficulties into something beautiful, often through collaboration, storytelling, and honoring our shared histories. In spaces where I facilitate healing and creativity, I’m reminded that resilience grows from the integration of community support, creative expression, and dedication to building a future that respects and learns from the past.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Jalen Taylor, CEO & Community Empowerment Architect, and I bring my passion for creative arts therapy, community-building, and empowerment into everything I do. My work spans both nonprofit and entrepreneurial efforts, each dedicated to nurturing spaces for personal and collective healing. As the President of BCDI-Colorado, I lead efforts focused on empowering Black children, families, and communities to thrive. Through programs that support early childhood education, mental health, family resilience, and economic opportunities, we work to create sustainable change that promotes well-being and equity.

One of my most cherished practices is Soul Collage, which I use in both my nonprofit and private work to help individuals explore their identities and connect with their resilience through imagery, storytelling, and self-reflection. As a multi-hyphenate artisan and therapist, I guide groups and individuals to process generational narratives and embrace their own potential.

Recently, I launched a new venture called The Nursery, a space designed to nurture ideas, dreams, and potential. It’s a hybrid business that combines creative development, media, and management with an emphasis on psychology and spirituality. This venture empowers people to bring their visions to life in a way that’s both mindful and community-centered. Additionally, my new podcast series, Applied Knowledge, explores these themes, offering insights and tools for those interested in personal growth, community building, and resilience.

What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to bridge art, healing, and community empowerment in ways that feel deeply authentic. By fostering environments for growth—whether through BCDI-Colorado or The Nursery—I aim to champion the boundless potential within individuals and create pathways for thriving communities. Through these efforts, I’m dedicated to building spaces where holistic well-being, creative expression, and community belonging can truly flourish.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have been essential in my journey: resilience, empathy, and adaptability. Each of these has shaped how I approach my work, community, and self-growth.

Resilience has been fundamental. It’s allowed me to stay grounded and move forward even when facing personal or professional challenges. For those early in their journey, resilience isn’t just something we have but something we cultivate. Building resilience involves learning how to navigate setbacks by seeing them as growth opportunities. Try creating practices that help you reconnect with your purpose—whether that’s through creative expression, mindfulness, or community support. These practices will anchor you and help build the inner strength to overcome obstacles.

Empathy has allowed me to connect deeply with others and create spaces that truly feel safe and inclusive. In any role, understanding others’ experiences, challenges, and joys is powerful. If you’re new in your journey, I’d suggest spending time in diverse spaces and engaging in active listening. Volunteer, collaborate, and immerse yourself in different perspectives. Empathy grows as we lean into vulnerability and open ourselves to understanding others without judgment. This skill is transformative in any work that aims to empower or uplift others.

Adaptability has been equally impactful, especially in a sector that is ever-evolving. Being able to adapt—whether to new challenges, shifting needs, or emerging ideas—has kept my work dynamic and relevant. For those starting out, I recommend cultivating a mindset that welcomes change. This could mean embracing continuous learning, being open to feedback, or experimenting with new approaches without fear of “failure.” Adaptability is as much about perspective as it is about action; see each change as an opportunity to innovate and grow.

Overall, resilience, empathy, and adaptability have been cornerstones of my path. For those at the beginning, I’d encourage fostering practices that build inner strength, practicing genuine empathy through diverse interactions, and maintaining a flexible, growth-oriented mindset. These qualities will not only enrich your journey but also create a foundation for impactful work and authentic connections.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my mother did for me was to give me the freedom to create and express myself through imagination and play. She nurtured an environment where exploration and creativity were not just allowed but encouraged. This freedom taught me to see the world as a canvas for possibility, and it’s something that still shapes my work and identity today. Whether through art therapy, Soul Collage, or community-building, that early encouragement to let my imagination lead has been foundational. It’s a gift I carry into adulthood, reminding me of the transformative power of creativity and the importance of honoring that spark in others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theuncoverings.com/
• Instagram: @jalenntaylor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jalen-taylor