In a land of hope and second chances, convicted felons peer through a different window. Once released from prison, it is a daunting task to gain some type of traction and become a productive member of society again yet again.
Dr. Taylor experienced that firsthand after many visits in and out of the judicial system. Despite his setbacks, he found a pathway where he could first take control of his life, which in turn led to incredible success in the marketplace. Not feeling quite satisfied with his success, he started a nonprofit designed to train men of all ages how to strategically navigate through the hurdles set before them to grab their slice of the American pie.
Taylor’s non-profit organization is called Salute 1st Global, which is specifically designed to penetrate our current cultural dynamics, where proven methodologies and philosophies can be imparted toward increasing their chances of a positive life and lifestyle.
“With no father present, the struggle is real for a Black man, any man for that matter,” Taylor said.
The absence of a father in the home manifests itself in two diverse ways. Either the child is going to succumb to his environment and reduce himself as being a product of it, or he will realign his perspective and capitalize on hidden opportunities where others prematurely abort the mission. Either way, the decision is made from that shared place of trauma.
“Having a father in the home creates a healthy fear for the child growing up. Healthy fear promotes necessary boundaries to establish a sound mind and character,” Taylor continued, “So for me, with no healthy fear present in my home I let the fear of the streets lead me to projecting the very opposite of my fears. I soon became what I feared.”
Taylor spent most of his youth learning how to fight back. He grew accustomed to violence, adapted to toxic environments, and sought destructive ways of providing and protecting himself. That led to a life of crime and the associated consequences that accompany it.
But being an intelligent man, Taylor decided to take control of his life and create a healthier world for himself. By changing key areas of his perspective and manhood we rose above his conditions to a stature of being able to help lift others as well.
Taylor knew if it could work for him, it could work for anyone found willing to make critical sacrifices and also connected to the proper support system.
“People do not understand how challenging it is simply to secure documents of identification which is the elementary stage of regaining your footing and manhood back in society,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s organization trains males who are prepared to endure the challenges that no man can escape. Salute1st Global believes that it’s foolish to build a new life on the sands of yesterday’s thinking. A new foundation of truth and wisdom is the only infrastructure by which we can then add the weight of market penetration and success on top of.
“Felons are never forgiven. Felons struggle because they cannot escape the stigma that is attached to that label,” Taylor said. “As a 3x felon I know the struggles of not being able to secure a loan, apartment, and in most cases, an excellent job. However, I can also testify that “as a man thinketh, so shall he be!” Not where he is from, what his mistakes are, or his limitations. It is in the training complex of the mind that we gain control and dominance over the lives we have been given by God.
Taylor and Salute 1st work to recondition the mindsets of men. He has coined the phrase Perspective Realignment. It is defined as working to reshape the perception of the man, then challenging him to produce a more powerful perspective which is the safeguard of all greatness and achievement.
Taylor knows how difficult it is for people who come out of the prison system to forgive themselves. So, he and his team travel the country, giving talks and conducting classes with those who welcome transformative thinking.
Taylor’s organization is currently working with scores of prison systems and organizations to help men develop the coping skills to deal with their past, so they can have a better future.
Taylor is on a mission to end the cycle of destructive behavior for the men he trains. Taylor understands that if he can create a new alignment for the men he helps, it might impact the next three generations of loved ones down the line.
That kind of social impact cannot be quantified in dollars saved in an attempt to gauge the number of future generations of young men who do not go to jail because their father was present in their lives or those now equipped to operate at the highest level of self-governance.
“I decided something needed to be done. I also decided I am the one who needed to do it,” Taylor said.
There is nothing more fulfilling than manifesting a vision that dwells in the hearts of countless others. Kendall Taylor did! And he wants every man to know that you can do the same if not greater as men. ●
