Rising Stars: Meet Taylor York of Atlanta, GA

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

Hi Taylor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been a creative for as long as I can remember. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, in the neighborhood of Ladera Heights, and grew up in a musically inclined family that encouraged artistic expression from an early age. Music, performance, design, and storytelling were always part of my world, and I learned to treat creativity not just as a passion, but as a craft.

My journey formally began in high school at the Academy of Music & Performing Arts at Hamilton High School, where I trained in vocal performance, musicality, and creative collaboration. Around the age of 16, I gained my first real industry experience working alongside my aunt, Joyce Washington, an accomplished producer in music, film, and television. As a production assistant on her sets, I was exposed early to the realities of the entertainment industry – learning how productions are built from the ground up, supporting crews behind the scenes, and understanding the power of storytelling both in front of and behind the camera. Those formative experiences shaped my work ethic and gave me a deep appreciation for visual storytelling, structure, and teamwork.

As I grew older, my interests evolved from performance alone into strategy. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Media Communications and later a Master of Arts in Public Relations, pairing my creative instincts with data-driven thinking and communications strategy. Along the way, I became SCAD-certified in Graphic Design and Adobe Creative Suite, strengthening my ability to execute visually as well as strategically.

Professionally, I’ve built a career at the intersection of creativity, storytelling, and impact. I’ve led content and marketing efforts for national B2B brands, scaling content operations and driving measurable growth, before stepping fully into mission-driven work. Today, I am a small-scale content creator on Instagram, Influencer Marketing Guru, and I serve as the Marketing & Communications Manager for KIPP Atlanta Schools, where I lead regional marketing strategy, amplify scholar and community voices, and create campaigns that drive engagement, enrollment, and support for public education. Under my leadership, social media engagement has grown, and I’ve been recognized for bringing joy, excellence, and authenticity into every space I work in.

At my core, I represent creative excellence with purpose. My background in music, production, and performance fuels how I think visually and emotionally, while my experience in communications strategy ensures that creativity always has direction, intention, and impact. Whether I’m building a brand, telling a community’s story, or leading a campaign, my goal is always the same: to create work that connects, inspires, and moves people to action.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. I’ve experienced periods of transition and uncertainty that have challenged both my creativity and endurance. Leadership changes and shifting priorities have sometimes made it difficult to fully execute my job the way it was intended. There have been moments where creative momentum slowed, decision-making became unclear, or processes limited my ability to move work forward efficiently. As a creative strategist, that can be mentally taxing – especially when you know the potential of what could be done but are navigating constraints outside of your control.

That said, those challenges have also strengthened me. I’ve learned how to remain adaptable, patient, and solution-oriented, even when circumstances aren’t ideal. I’ve had to find alternative pathways to get work done, protect my creativity in smaller ways, and manage the mental and emotional strain that can come with being held to high expectations while operating under tight timelines or limited flexibility.

Most importantly, I’ve learned how to persevere without losing myself in the process. I focus on what I can control and finding ways to keep projects moving forward while maintaining my own balance. Going with the flow doesn’t mean giving up your standards; for me, it’s meant learning how to bend without breaking. Those experiences have ultimately made me a stronger leader, communicator, and creative.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At the core of my work is helping people and brands show up with intention and impact. I’m a Marketing & Communications Manager by title, but my work lives at the intersection of strategy, storytelling, and social media. I specialize in building systems that help campaigns, platforms, and partnerships run smoothly and perform well.

A large part of my work is influencer and brand partnership strategy. I support influencers and brand ambassadors by helping them develop clear, effective campaign plans so that partnerships feel authentic, deliver results, and ensure creators are compensated fairly for their work. I also bring that same lens to the organizations I work with, helping brands identify the right voices, craft compelling narratives, and execute campaigns that resonate.

Social media is really my bread and butter. I’m deeply versed in platform strategy, algorithms, content cadence, and analytics, and I’m known for translating data into actionable insights – what’s working, what isn’t, and why. Whether it’s increasing engagement, strengthening brand presence, or building community, I focus on making social platforms work for the people using them, not against them.

Alongside my professional work, I’m also a content creator and micro-influencer myself, primarily in lifestyle, fashion, and beauty. Being on both sides of the industry allows me to approach campaigns with empathy and realism. I understand the creative process, the pressure to perform, and the importance of balance between brand goals and personal voice. What I’m most proud of is my ability to create order, momentum, and confidence wherever I work.

What sets me apart is how well-rounded my experience is. I’ve worked across multifaceted spaces, often doing similar work in very different environments, and refining my approach with each step forward. The work has evolved as I have, becoming more intentional and more grounded over time. I’ve been learning, listening, and refining since I was 16 years old. Now at 27, I bring over a decade of lived, hands-on experience shaped by observation, adaptability, and growth. It allows me to move fluidly between creative vision and execution, and to bring clarity and consistency to the spaces and people I support.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Oddly enough, I see my industry becoming more intentional, more human, and more data-informed all at once. We’re already seeing a shift away from chasing virality for the sake of it and toward building trust, community, and long-term engagement. Audiences are more discerning, and authenticity is expected at this point.

Social platforms will continue to evolve, but strategy and storytelling will matter more than ever. Algorithms change constantly, but the brands and creators who win are the ones who understand their audience, analyze performance thoughtfully, and adapt without losing their voice. I think we’ll see a stronger emphasis on quality over quantity, niche communities over mass appeal, and sustainable content cadences that prevent burnout.

Ultimately, the industry is moving toward a hybrid model: creativity backed by data, automation guided by intention, and technology balanced with humanity.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tayslayway/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylornyork/

Image Credits
Troy Sawyer
Taylor York
Christiana Cook