Conversations with Taj Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Taj Taylor.

Hi Taj, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is really about resilience, purpose, and refusing to allow where I started to determine where I would end up. I was born and raised in Camden, New Jersey, and grew up experiencing poverty and many of the challenges that come with it. At 18, while pursuing my college education, I experienced homelessness. That period of my life shaped me tremendously and ultimately influenced both the professional and creative paths I would take.

I began my journey at Delaware State University, where I discovered another side of myself through modeling, dance, and performance. In 2013, I began dancing with Hidden Vanity and eventually became deeply involved in the fashion and entertainment community. I later joined Models Inc., where I became known as “King Blaze.” Over the years, I have modeled, danced, choreographed, and performed on stages throughout the DMV, Philadelphia, and New York. My journey has allowed me to work with artists such as Tamar Braxton, teach at the Kennedy Center, choreograph for emerging entertainers, and serve as a lead choreographer for competitive modeling organizations.

At the same time, I was building a career centered on service. My own experiences gave me a deep connection to people navigating homelessness and other systemic barriers. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and master’s degree in Public Administration from Delaware State University, and later earned my Master of Social Work from Howard University. Today, I serve in nonprofit leadership in Washington, D.C., working within the family homelessness system and helping create programs and environments that support families as they work toward stability and permanent housing.

For a long time, my professional and creative lives existed alongside each other, but I eventually realized they are both expressions of the same person. Leadership, advocacy, creativity, movement, fashion, and community are all parts of who I am.

That realization inspired me to continue building my own creative platform, The Blaze Experience, focused on choreography, dance, performance, collaboration, and creating opportunities for other creatives. My goal is to take everything I’ve learned,
from Camden to HBCU campuses, nonprofit leadership, fashion runways, dance studios, and major stages and turn it into something that creates opportunities for the next generation.

I’ve experienced moments in my life when my circumstances could have completely changed my trajectory. Instead, they became part of my foundation. I’m now a three-time HBCU graduate, nonprofit leader, model, dancer, choreographer, creative director, and entrepreneur and I still feel like my story is just getting started.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Growing up in Camden, New Jersey, I experienced poverty, and at 18, I experienced homelessness while pursuing my education. Those experiences forced me to grow up quickly, but they also shaped my passion for helping others and ultimately influenced my career in social work and nonprofit leadership.

I’ve also faced rejection, professional setbacks, and moments of self-doubt while navigating different spaces as a Black gay man. Through it all, I’ve learned that setbacks don’t have to define your destination. Every challenge has strengthened my resilience, pushed me to advocate for myself, and motivated me to create opportunities not only for myself, but for others as well.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a dancer, choreographer, model, and creative director known as King Blaze. I began dancing in 2013 at Delaware State University and have since built more than a decade of experience across dance, fashion, and entertainment. My work has taken me to stages throughout the DMV, Philadelphia, and New York, including dancing for Tamar Braxton and teaching at the Kennedy Center.

Fashion has also been a major part of my journey. I’ve walked in numerous New York Fashion Week shows, including Emerge and Fashion Bomb Daily, and one of my proudest modeling accomplishments was walking for Romeo Hunte, which landed me on Vogue Runway.

I’m also proud of my journey with Models Inc. and creating The Blaze Experience, my platform centered on choreography, performance, and creative collaboration. What sets me apart is my ability to blend dance, fashion, storytelling, and stage presence into one experience, I don’t just want people to watch a performance; I want them to feel it.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’m not much of a book reader, most of my inspiration comes visually. I spend a lot of time on YouTube watching performances, choreography, fashion shows, music videos, and live productions. Seeing how other creatives bring an idea to life always gets my creative juices flowing.

My favorite apps are Canva, Instagram, Apple Music, and TikTok. Canva helps me bring my ideas to life visually, Instagram and TikTok keep me connected to what’s happening creatively, and Apple Music is essential because music is usually where my creative process starts.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblondboyy?stkn=eGs5d2Rnc2VzeHM4&utm_source=qr
• Twitter: https://x.com/theblondboy?s=11&t=Lbl8-p8Y5q364hVWBH7Urg