Essie Taylor is an influencer and world changer. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwestern University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rockford College. She is a veteran educator of Bilingual Education, English as a Second Language, and Spanish Language Acquisition with National Board Teacher Certification. She is an advocate of lifelong learning, language learning & multiculturalism. Essie is the CEO of KenMar Press and The Essie Faye Collection. Essie is the author of “Finding the Love You Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love & Acceptance” and “Finding The Love Your Deserve: A 60 Day Healing Journal For Women of Faith. She is also a minister, youth advocate, recording artist, podcaster, and improviser. She is deeply committed to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams and carving out their life’s path. She loves God, people, and helping others. Essie has been a Christian nearly all of her 39 years; She was born again at 15-years-old. She has been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years and has by the grace of God helped to establish bilingual ministries at 5 churches in her young life. She is a survivor of domestic violence (verbal and emotional abuse) and marital abandonment in a prior marriage.
FWM: You have been an advocate of lifelong learning. Share your background.
I am a Chicago Native–I’m from the South Side! I was born and raised in the neighborhood of Englewood. I’m a product of the Chicago Public School System. I am currently an educator at CPS. I believe that education opens many doors of opportunity; it did for me. I’m a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where I majored in African American studies and minored in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
FWM: Tell us about your deep commitment to motivating minorities, women, and youth to pursue God while chasing their dreams.
As a Black female and youth advocate and educator, I feel that it is my responsibility to first be visible and give voice to that experience, in whatever space in which I find myself. Education is a tool through which I coach my students to find their life path, to question, inquire, and think. Teaching is a huge part of my identity, as are my race and gender. I am a mentor to youth, and I am a sister-friend to women of all races, as we share a similar struggle and path in life.
FWM: You have been a bilingual worship leader and interpreter for 10+ years. Tell us about your experience and how you are helping others.
I have a passion for worship, praise, and God. I am also passionate about Spanish and Spanish-speaking cultures. It is an amazing opportunity to create a space of access through interpreting and serving in another language. I am helping others by spreading the Gospel message of love to Spanish speakers. The medium of language is powerful and I have the task of being a conduit as I transmit a message from one language to another–this is not merely words, but it includes energy, expression, and the anointing. It’s an awesome experience and allows access to many who may not otherwise have access to a life altering message of victory & deliverance.
FWM: What was your inspiration for Finding the Love You Deserve?
My book, “Finding the love you Deserve: 30 Lessons in Self-Love and Acceptance” was born out of my experience within an abusive marriage and the grief of divorce. After I ended a “marriage” of three years, I was so broken emotionally, spiritually, financially, psychologically. It contains 30 lessons I learned from walking the path to wholeness and rediscovering who I was after experiencing one of the lowest points in my life.
FWM: Share your vision for the Essie Faye Collection.
My vision for the Essie Faye Collection is that consumers would be inspired by the encouraging messages on tees. Life can be so difficult sometimes and the smallest things–like tees–can bring so much joy. Sometimes sadness can be overcome with a simple kind word. I aim to deliver a kind word through tees with an inspirational message. My motivation for starting this collection was the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The entire world was mourning; we were surrounded by death and uncertainty. It was a scary time for us all. And I thought, “how can I encourage people to keep faith?” The Essie Faye Collection is a small way to encourage faith in God’s plan and the kindness of people.
FWM: What do you offer?
My brand is faith based. And I’m excited to share that we offer a shirt that has the message “I heard you the first time.-God (Isaiah 65:24)” Many times as believers we vacillate between doubt and faith. This is normal. But this small message assures that God has ears and can hear. He is faithful to His people and cares about the difficulties as well as the victories in our lives. I also have a prayer collection that has messages about the power of prayer.
FWM: You are also a recording artist. What are you currently working on?
I released my debut EP “Believe Again” in 2017 and followed that with a tribute to my deceased brother, Jeremiah Young: “When I Close My Eyes.” My music can be found at www.soundcloud.com. I am currently writing music for a future album.
FWM: What would people be surprised to know about you?
People would be surprised to know that I am a Comedy Improviser. I am a member of Well Versed Comedy Troupe. We provide clean improv comedy and entertainment that’s family friendly in the Chicagoland area. Learn more about us at www.wellversedcomedy.com.
FWM: Tell us about your podcast, Heart to Heart with Essie Taylor. How are you inspiring others?
My podcast, “Heart to Heart With Essie Faye is one in which I speak from the heart of different topics. I am currently facilitating a series about Separation & Divorce in Faith Communities. I wanted to create a space and start a conversation that has been ignored within faith communities. I wanted to give voice to an experience that in many cases has been silenced within faith communities. This series aims to encourage those impacted by Separation and Divorce in Faith communities that they’re not alone in their grief and that they will grow through their experience, heal, and even learn to love again. In part one I share my story. In part two I interview divorcees who talk about how they managed their grief and grew through their experience. Part two also includes married mentors who talk about preventative strategies & how to guard your marriage. Lastly, part two includes singles who discuss how to prepare singles for marriage and professional experts that discuss how to manage grief and heal. I am inspiring others to share their stories of managing their grief and healing. I am inspiring others to shatter the silence surrounding separation and divorce and the grief that surrounds it within faith communities. It is my hope that this series furthers the healing process for those who are hurting. You can tune into the conversation on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and see live streams on Facebook the Heart to Heart with Essie Faye page.
www.essiefayetaylor.com
www.essiefayecollection.com
Instagram: @the_essie_faye
Face Book: Esther Taylor
