Community-Driven Arts Education: Shirley Taylor on Transforming NYC Youth

Shirley Taylor, Executive Director of Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center, joins the show to share the story of her journey from visual artist to transformative arts administrator, and the creative vision that powers her legacy in New York City. In this conversation, Shirley reflects on her early days at NYFA, her award-winning student arts exhibitions, and launching youth career pipelines at the Apollo Theater. She discusses what it means to design programs that empower young people, support whole-person growth, and offer real-world opportunities—from internships to paid creative jobs. Together with host Alison McNeil, Shirley opens up about the personal values that guide her leadership, the challenges of fundraising and strategy, and her deep belief in centering community, preserving cultural heritage, and making arts access a reality—especially for historically underrepresented youth. If you care about mentorship, creative careers, or building authentic opportunity through the arts, this episode offers wisdom, energy, and hope for what’s possible when the community leads.Find out more: Mind-Builders Creative Arts CenterThe Apollo TheaterShirley Taylor on LinkedIn Laura Greer Want to know more about the Impact Roadmap: The Art of Describing Your Impact? Join the waitlist to get first access.🔗 Connect with Alison:LinkedInInstagram🌐   Find out more about McNeil Creative Enterprises.