The Construct of a History-Making Woman!

I wouldn't trade my journey over these 48 years for anything.

As I reflect on who I am now and where I've been; the path to now, there are so many experiences and so many people who have contributed to who I am.

I was the little black girl who grew up in Fenton (at the time we moved to Fenton in 1979 there were maybe a dozen black families in this suburb of St. Louis). I always made friends pretty easily. But it wasn't always easy for me socially.

I was first called the n word when I was 8 by two unhappy and seemingly angry white men in a red pick up truck. I didn't know what the word meant at that time. Because of how it was spoken to me, I knew it wasn't good. Socially, things were uncomfortable at times.

For some of my classmates, there was a fascination with my hair, my skin, my clothes. For some, I wasn't black enough; didn't talk right, didn't dress right, didn't get off or on the right bus at school. I was bullied. I was made fun of for a season of my schooling. By the 5th grade my dear friend, Stacy had given me the nickname 'Grandma'.

I was always eager and willing to listen to a problem. At the time, the problems were minor, at least the problems that were shared with me. I would sit at the balance beam or the swings, or the balance beam and hear people out and give a hug or whatever I could offer to help at lunch or recess.

I was bullied again as junior high began. I just couldn't quite get that 'fit in' thing going. By the 8th grade, I decided I didn't give a crap about fitting in! I decided, hey, I am Cherise Taylor, the black girl from Fenton with the BIG SMILE (I used to hate my smile;a part of the bullying) and I didn't care who liked me or didn't and that, kind soulds, was the beginning of FREEDOM!

It's so ironic that the 8th grade was when I started singing in public too! I had found my voice in more ways than one and was COMFORTABLE with the skin I was in. My mother always told my brothers and me that we were wonderful. 'Look at my beautiful babies!', she would say; she still says that to us to this day. Side note: affirm and encourage your children, it makes a difference! My mother would tell me I was beautiful with such pride and assurance that I just believed it! And I thought she was the most beautiful person that I had ever known (still is). I thought, "Well if she says I'm beautiful and God says I'm beautiful, it must be true!' The nickname Grandma stuck all the way through high school.

I had plenty of friends and was involved in EVERYTHING in high school but I wasn't really a part of a click or a particular group, and I came to appreciate and actually LOVE that fact!! There's a picture in my senior yearbook that I just love. Everyone is decorating for Homecoming and there I am in the middle of the gym about to put up a poster with someone just seemingly doing my own thing! Just being Cherise! I believe that growing up where and when I did helped me to create the mindset and comfort I have with myself now. Growing up with three brothers and being the only girl also helped. I don't look for approval or permission to be and do what I feel is right.

I enjoy being different. I love being unique. I don't like MOST crowds. I don't like doing what everyone else is doing. It bores me. I've come to realize that it is okay to be different. It is okay to look different, to talk different, to think different. It is okay to stand alone. It gave me self-confidence, but more than that, it gave me GODFIDENCE (shout out to Marshawn Evans Daniels).

I never feel alone. God is my life partner. He approves of me. He loves me. He made me. He wants me. Me, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit...we are the FAB FOUR (Taylored 4 U Enterprises is inspired by this long-standing term I have for my relationship with the Holy Trinity and of course my 3 brothers!) I have no fear about NOT fitting in with the crowd. I have no fear of being different. I have no fear of taking a different path.

I encourage you today, those of you reading this, to LOVE WHO YOU ARE!! Know that you were created for greatness! Know that God accepts and loves you!

Dream big and go to the highest heights! You deserve that! Soar! You were made for that!