Today we’d like to introduce you to DePrice Taylor.
Hi DePrice, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For most of my life, I thought my journey began when 17-year-old me was cut from my division 1 scholarship. When I grew to understand trauma, healing, emotional intelligence, and growth; I not only realized my journey began way before that, but every lesson learned, and every challenge hurdled, was in preparation for me to be special.
I grew up in the city of the flyest, most player people to ever live, Detroit, MI. Every person that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting, understands fully how much I love the home of the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons, Berry Gordy’s Motown, Faygo pop and the Brown Bomber, Joe Louis. I grew up on the Eastside of Detroit, in a large family, which meant a lot of cousins. My baby brothers and cousins were my first best friends. Bike rides and sleepovers, my happiest childhood moments were those with them around. Those were the good days, the days when my emotional, physical, and mental safety weren’t at risk. I was always the only girl to tag along with the older boys to play basketball. As a ten-year-old, I only knew that I loved to play basketball, and I played all the time. I didn’t understand the values that sports would instill within me. I didn’t understand the transferrable skills and lessons that sports would provide. Life lessons on leadership, dependability, collaboration, and mental toughness. The power that sports has had on my life is extremely profound.
Nelson Mandela believed that “sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire, and speaks to youth in a language only they can understand”. I’ve mentored thousands of youth over the years, and many of those relationships were formed and birthed through a mutual love for sports. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with bright, innovative, and resilient young people over time through my work in youth development. Many of whom I still keep in touch with today.
The sole reasons I’ve had the opportunity to experience this joy and reach a certain level of “success” is due to faith and relationships. My life has been a journey. Full of highs and lows, accomplishments and failures, and wins and losses. I’d be lying if I said my faith never wavered during the latter of those. It most certainly did. But even with only a mustard seed (IYKYK).
I believe that relationships are the greatest wealth. Better than money. Better than material objects. The relationships I’ve been able to develop and cultivate have gotten me to this point. Relationships with foundations built on trust and vulnerability.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
While a large part of my journey has been about perseverance and resilience, it is founded on accountability and the desire to be a good human being. In 2005, I lost a division 1 basketball scholarship simply because as a 17-year-old, I thought I had it all figured out, and that the world revolved around me.
I soon found myself not only faced with the reality that I squandered a significant opportunity but in an environment that wasn’t healthy. Playing pickup basketball back in Detroit, an onlooker connected me with one of the most compassionate and kindest human beings I’ve ever met, Lane Lord. In time, Coach Lord would help change the trajectory of my life.
After watching me play basketball once, Coach Lord offered me a full scholarship. I am a little older now, but I could go! After committing to play college basketball for Pittsburg State University, the feelings of doubt, failure, and uncertainty, matured into feelings of confidence, joy, and an unwavering appreciation for those who understood the power of second chances.
Coach Lord surrounded me with people and resources to become successful. I’m eternally grateful to him, his family, and the PSU community. There are many family members, mentors, and friends that I’ve met along my journey that have played a huge role in me becoming the person I am today.
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?
Earlier, I spoke about the power of sports and the incredible opportunities and doors that sports, and relationships have opened for me. The power of sports has afforded me the opportunity to serve as the Director of Community Relations for the National Women’s Soccer League team, the Kansas City Current. In this role I focus on deepening the impact of the organization by listening and building relationships with the community, fans, and partners. I’m able to work with an organization in the Current that is dedicated and committed to being a catalyst for change.
As a young kid growing up on the Eastside of Detroit, I’m not sure this was anything I could have ever dreamed of, not even a possibility. It most certainly didn’t seem likely when I lost my scholarship. I have been so incredibly blessed to serve in many capacities which allow me to be a change agent within my community.
Additionally, I am the Founder of Unfiltered Stories, a platform inspired by quarantine conversations with my grandmother, Estella Ann Winters. One day while learning about my grandmother’s hurt, disappointment, abuse, wins, and accomplishments, I asked if she ever shared these stories with anyone else. Her response was, “no one ever cared enough to ask”.
Unfiltered Stories provides everyday people, those who have never been asked about their journey yet yearn to share the unfiltered truth of who they are, and their stories yet have never been asked. Unfiltered Stories is for those who have decided to let go of the fear that has kept them silent for so long.
In my 34 years, there’s a lot to be proud of. While I certainly have achieved much success what I’m most proud of is this person I’ve become. I’m most proud that although there were many obstacles, hurdles, and challenges (although some self-inflicted), I never settled. I’m most proud to be living a life full of purpose and meaning.
While being a first-generation college student is a badge of honor, the journey itself is the true honor. As my favorite basketball player, Kobe Bryant, once said, “everything negative-the challenges, the pressure, is an opportunity to rise”. My lived experiences, and the Detroit grit, hustle, and ambition, have instilled this mindset. I’m proud to have that.
Lastly, I don’t know if it sets me apart, however, I’ve found that people struggle to be their authentic selves. I certainly have had my struggles as a black, queer, female having to navigate spaces where I felt I didn’t belong. When I truly understood how me showing up as DP, in all my vulnerabilities, with all my uniqueness, with all my knowledge, being a voice of representation, was a benefit to not only me but my community; I no longer subscribed to fear and what others thought of me. I could really walk into who I am, and I think that sets me apart. I thank Don Carter for helping me get out of my own way and share my own truth!
What’s next?
While I certainly don’t know what the future holds, I plan to utilize my experience and influence within my role and community to aid in elevating the sport of women’s soccer.
I look forward to learning from our incredible ownership group, who have shown through their leadership and actions their level of investment not only in women’s soccer but the entire Kansas City community.
I also look forward to growing the Unfiltered Stories platform and engaging in more speaking opportunities that allow me the chance to share my own story and journey with others.
I am looking forward to marrying my beautiful fiancé, Lily, and continuing to create memories with my family. I’ll end by saying that it is truly an honor and privilege to love and serve people. I plan to continue doing that and let everything else fall in its place.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/
- Instagram: @dp_taylor
- Twitter: @taylor_dpjaz
