Empowered Voices and Bridging Cultures with Jayla Taylor

Join us for a transformative episode with Jayla Taylor, a resilient junior at Marquette University. As president of the Urban Scholars Program and a political science major, Jayla's journey is a beacon of strength and determination. Hailing from Milwaukee's diverse neighborhoods, Jayla proudly embraces her Black and Latina heritage, using it as a driving force for change. Her upbringing, steeped in Mexican and Black traditions, fuels her mission to break barriers.

Through leadership roles, Jayla fosters a sense of belonging for students of color, ensuring everyone finds their place at Marquette. Her story is a testament to the strength passed down through generations, with her mother and grandparents serving as guiding lights.

Jayla's initiatives, including MU Black Minds, aim to create a community where every student thrives, regardless of background. Tune in for insights on inclusivity, cultural strength, and uplifting the voices of tomorrow. Jayla's narrative encourages us to stand together, fostering kindness, open-mindedness, and unwavering support.

Episode Highlights:

12:13 - The first step is, of course, getting people of diverse backgrounds here. But the second step is making sure that they can be themselves and be comfortable and not feel just outcasted.

19:25 - Not having those resources to fall back on can really impact your experience that you're going to have and not being able to talk to anybody about any issues you're having or understanding why you feel a certain way towards a certain class, teacher, professor,  and things like that is really important that we're having discussions with each other, so it's a you're not alone type of thing. And I think my biggest thing was if I didn't have a community around me, I would not be succeeding as well as I am now.

20:46 - I was given this opportunity, and it's important for me to make other people feel like they're also given an opportunity, and it also makes me feel good when I make somebody else feel important. And I think that just builds your community even more of people wanting to be around you, not having to be around you, and I wanted to be the role model around other students.

Interview

What's the story you'd like to share with us today?

01:24 - I'd love to share about my background growing up from the city, as well as more about my scholarship program and what that all entails.

How do you identify?

01:40 - I identify as Black and Latina. My mom is Mexican and my dad is Black, so, half and half.

Where do you come from?

01:50 - I've grown up on the south side of Milwaukee for the past 20 years.

What high school did you go to?

01:55 - I went to DSHA, Divine Savior Holy Angels. It's an all girls Catholic high school.

Tell us how you got on the path that you're on.

02:16 - It starts with my parents and my background. My mom is a first generation kind of citizen here. So, her growing up and upbringing was a little different than mine. None of my aunts, uncles or parents went to college. So, it was more of a high school graduation thing and then moving on to a family. But her main goal for all of us, me and my two older siblings, was always to go to college, get a career, and make sure we are doing what we love in life. But that just kind of motivated me to always kind of have a target on my back to push forward and find any opportunity I could. My dad also didn't go to college, so being a first generation kind of college student, they gave me the leeway to figure it out and navigate it all on my own.

03:59 - Luckily,  I applied and just with all the things I...