💬 "Entering City Year homeless. A manager who left at the worst moment. A young Black man stepping up when no one else would." -Paul Willis

🧢 Paul Willis is a hip-hop educator, artist, and 6-year AmeriCorps veteran. He joined City Year without knowing where he'd sleep that night. Raised by his grandmother amid his mother's addiction, Paul chose to pay it forward.

🎧 In this episode, Paul gets real about:

• 🔁 Why he joined City Year homeless

• 🧠 The trauma-informed training that changed him

• 🎤 Finding his voice when leadership collapsed

• 🖤 Being a rare Black man in service leadership

• 🤝 Why collective responsibility > ego

• 🎶 How hip-hop became his tool for healing, leadership & learning

✨ Highlights:

🔹 Paying It Forward – Teachers, advisors, and Grandma's love
🔹 Homeless & Hungry – Structure over the streets
🔹 Returning to His School – Healing where he once struggled
🔹 Finding His Voice – Stepping up when chaos hit
🔹 Health & Safety Fair – One idea. Whole school movement.
🔹 Representation Matters – Leading while Black
🔹 Teamwork Over Ego – Trusting a tired, diverse team
🔹 Charlie Rose – The mentor who saw what he couldn't
🔹 Hip Hop Leadership – Album. Book. Curriculum. Beats & bars for healing.
🔹 California Book Tour – Catch Paul live 🎤

💡 "Leadership doesn't require a full résumé — it requires showing up with integrity when everything is unstable."

📲 Connect:

🎤 Guest: Paul Willis
🔗 www.hiphopleadership.com
🔗 www.paulwillishiphop.com
📱 https://www.instagram.com/paulwillisishiphop/

🎙️ Host: Anton Taylor
🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/antontaylor

📖 Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome
00:10 – Paul Willis Intro
01:05 – Why AmeriCorps Matters
01:29 – Paying It Forward Origins
03:46 – First Year Reality Check
05:55 – Returning to His School
07:30 – Trauma Healing & Growth
13:06 – Finding His Voice
13:51 – Stepping Into Leadership
21:02 – Representation & Responsibility
25:31 – Teamwork Over Ego
29:05 – Service Titan Spotlight
30:00 – Charlie Rose Mentorship
33:48 – Hip Hop Leadership Project
36:11 – Closing & Farewell

Hashtags

#AmeriCorps #NationalService #CityYear #HipHopEducation #ServantLeadership #CommunityHealing #BlackMenInService #ServiceTitans #HipHopLeadership #Podcast

Jason Holton—youngest of five boys, raised on the move went from a telecom layoff to nearly two decades in national service.

He shares how a high school trip to the Dominican Republic taught him empathy through language barriers, how a chance meeting with Public Allies' changed his path, and how his supervisor responded to a major mistake with radical grace shaping Jason's entire leadership philosophy.

After a risky leap to Boston for City Year, Jason opens up about staying grounded in mission, imposter syndrome as a Black leader, alumni accountability, and why legacy isn't a title—it's the relationships you carry forward.

Highlights:

• 🏠 Growing Up on the Move: Youngest of five boys, a teacher mom, and Jesuit "men for others" values.
• 🌍 Dominican Republic Lesson: Grace and compassion learned through language barriers.
• 🤝 From Layoff to Public Allies: A telecom layoff + a chance meeting with Kenisha Terrell = a new path.
• 💔 Grace: A major mistake met with kindness, not termination and how it changed everything.
• 🚀 The City Year Leap: Leaving stability for Boston, nearly 15 years of service, and staying mission-connected.
• 🎭 Imposter Syndrome as a Black Leader: Naming it, finding support, and showing up anyway.
• 🔁 Alumni Accountability: Why those who served must hold institutions responsible.
• 👑 Legacy Through Relationships: Leadership defined by the people you lift, not the titles you hold.
• Service Titans Shoutout: Honoring his aunt and mom, and Sonali's AmeriCorps fellowship.

"Jason's story proves that grace isn't soft—it's strategic. And the best leaders never forget what it felt like to be seen after a mistake."

---------------------------------------

Contact/Follow:

🎙️Guest: Jason Holton

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-m-holton-7456176

🎙️Host: Anton Taylor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antontaylor

-------------------------------------------------------

Hashtags:
#AmeriCorps #NationalService #CityYear #PublicAllies #Leadership #Grace #ImposterSyndrome #ServiceTitans #AlumniAccountability #BlackLeadersInService #Podcast

From the streets of North Philly to the digital neighborhoods where young people live today, Tony joins us to talk about service, visibility, and why we need to meet youth where they actually are.

This week, we sit down with Tony, a proud North Philadelphia native and first-generation college graduate whose journey from a blue-collar, community-centered upbringing led him to the frontlines of service with AmeriCorps and Teach For America.

Tony reflects on teaching in Paterson, NJ—the hardest yet most meaningful job he’s ever had—and why service remains critical in 2026, despite the financial barriers that can make it inaccessible.

We dive into his research on trauma, gun violence intervention, and the concept of "digital neighborhoods," exploring how social media can be a tool for connection and prevention.

Tony also shares his mission to make Black boys and men "visible" by documenting their lived experiences, inspired by Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.

Highlights:

• North Philly Roots: How a tight-knit, blue-collar community and the value of education as the “silver bullet” shaped Tony’s path.
• The Hardest Job: Teaching in Paterson Public Schools (the "Lean On Me" district) and learning that everyone has assets they can leverage to help others.
• AmeriCorps in 2026: The ongoing need for service vs. the reality of low compensation acting as a barrier for those without financial privilege.
• Digital Neighborhoods: Why half of U.S. kids are online constantly, and how service organizations must adapt outreach to social media.
• Making Black Boys Visible: Tony’s legacy goal to use research and storytelling to ensure Black men and boys are seen, heard, and understood.
• Service Titans: Shoutouts to Estelle Richmond, Dr. Howard Stevenson, and Dr. Desmond Patton for their action-oriented work in communities.

Tony’s work reminds us that visibility is the first step toward equity. Whether it’s on the streets of Philadelphia or in the algorithms of social media, we have a responsibility to see each other—and to serve. Thanks for listening.

Guest: Anthony Shaw

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-s-626883b/

Host: Anton Taylor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/antontaylor?trk=people-guest_people_search-card

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: From North Philly to Now

02:51 - The “Silver Bullet”: Education and Community Values

05:58 - Answering the Call: Joining AmeriCorps via Teach For America

09:35 - Classroom Wars: Teaching in Paterson (The "Lean On Me" School)

12:48 - The State of Service: Why AmeriCorps Needs to Pay Better in 2026

17:41 - Digital Neighborhoods: Reaching Youth Where They Live (Online)

22:20 - Legacy and Visibility: Research on Black Boys, Trauma, and Coping

26:45 - Service Titans: Honoring the Ground Game

32:48 - Connect with Tony

34:17 - Final Thoughts and Signoff

Hashtags:
#AmeriCorps #NationalService #TeachForAmerica #NorthPhilly #EducationEquity #DigitalNeighborhoods #SocialMediaForGood #BlackBoysMatter #GunViolencePrevention #ServiceTitans #CommunityImpact #FirstGenGrad #InvisibleMan #RalphEllison #Podcast #ServiceStories

What does it mean to lead with unwavering congruence, courage, and presence in the face of systemic challenges?

This week, we’re honored to welcome Tray Deadwyler, a servant leader whose journey from the streets of Atlanta to the helm of Think For Good and Service Nerd is a masterclass in authentic leadership.

Raised by a retired police officer mother and firefighter father, Tray’s path was illuminated by a powerful truth: service isn’t just a job—it’s a way of being.

Tray opens up about the challenges of navigating service spaces as a Black man, the mentors who became his north stars, and the courageous decision to build his own ventures rooted in personal values.

This conversation is a deep dive into the heart of what makes a leader: the willingness to show up fully, the courage to act on conviction, and the quiet power of simply being present.

Highlights 💡

• 🔥 The Blueprint of Service – How growing up in a family of first responders created an unshakable foundation for a life dedicated to others.

• 🌀 Finding the Call in the Chaos – Tray’s transformative AmeriCorps journey and the pivotal moment Hurricane Katrina cemented his path.

• 🧭 The Compass of Congruence – Why aligning your actions with your core values is the first rule of authentic leadership.

• ✊🏾 Navigating Identity with Integrity – Candid reflections on representation, belonging, and leading while Black in nonprofit spaces.

• 🧘 The Leadership of Presence – How mindfulness and being fully in the moment unlock deeper connection and impact.

• 😂 Stories from the Field – Hilarious and humbling anecdotes from the front lines of service that taught lasting lessons.

• 🙏 Honoring the Guides – A heartfelt tribute to the mentors who saw his potential and helped shape his journey.

• 📖 Building a Legacy of Good – Inside Tray’s current projects, including his book The Contemplative Morning and his mission to cultivate mindful leaders.

🗨️ We would love to hear your thoughts on this powerful conversation.

🤔 Who in your life has modeled the kind of authentic, present leadership Tray describes?

➡️ Share your "service mentors" with us on social media by tagging [@ServiceTitans] and using the hashtag #ServiceAndLeadership.

📧 Inspired by Tray's journey? We're always looking to amplify stories of impactful leadership. Reach out if you have a story to share.

🎙️ Guest: Tray Dewey
Website: https://thinkforgood.org/about-us/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traydeadwyler

Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Contemplative-Morning-Days-Reflection-Resilience/dp/B0CWPWCWPX

🎙️ Host: Anton Taylor
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/antontaylor

Free Leadership Reflection Guide
A short, contemplative exercise designed to help you identify your core values and assess your leadership congruence. 👉🏾Free Guide Link -https://tinyurl.com/4pw8ksms------------------------------------------------------------

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Early Life
02:52 First Steps into Service and Leadership
03:59 College Years and Early Career
04:56 Founding Men of Distinction
05:44 Red Cross and Youth Development
08:54 AmeriCorps Experience
10:29 Hurricane Katrina and Red Cross Leadership
12:37 Transition to Think For Good and Service Nerd
17:12 Reflections on Youth Development
17:47 Navigating Identity and Representation
18:30 Leadership and Authenticity
21:27 Encouraging Courage and Overcoming Fear
22:58 The Importance of Presence
25:34 Personal Journeys and Self-Discovery
27:14 Funny Stories from the Field
28:57 Honoring Mentors and Influences
32:49 Final Thoughts and Projects

------------------------------------------

Hashtags
#ServiceAndLeadership #ServantLeadership #MindfulLeadership #AmeriCorps #Nonprofit #ThinkForGood #YouthDevelopment #Mentorship #AuthenticLeadership #BlackLeadership #PersonalDevelopment #Podcast

How does a life dedicated to service grow from a small-town upbringing to leading a national movement?

What does it look like to lead with joy, proximity, and unshakable responsibility at the highest levels of nonprofit and government service?

For the Season Finale of Service Titans, former CEO of AmeriCorps and current leader at Eckerd Connects, Michael Smith, joins us.

He shares the profound journey from being raised by teen parents in a nurturing community to a career defined by servant leadership.

Michael offers a masterclass in what true service requires—from bringing your whole self to work and staying close to the communities you serve, to hiring smartly and maintaining a relentless focus on outcomes.

He reflects on the mentors who shaped him and shares powerful stories of the individuals and teams turning compassion into tangible change.

Highlights 💡

🏠 The Foundation of a Servant's Heart – How a childhood surrounded by community support shaped a lifelong commitment to giving back.

🛤️ The Path to Purpose – Michael’s journey of discovering that true leadership means serving first.

🧠 Defining Service with Depth – Moving beyond the buzzword to the core principles of responsibility, joy, and proximate leadership.

⚙️ Leading a National Legacy at AmeriCorps – Insights from steering one of the country's largest forces for good.

The Whole Self at Work – Why authentic, personal identity is non-negotiable for effective, human-centered leadership.

📈 Principles Over Platitudes – Actionable practices for hiring, team-building, and maintaining an outcomes-focused mindset.

🔋 Energizing a New Chapter at Eckerd Connects – The excitement and impact of driving change for youth and families.

🌟 Mentors Who Make Titans – Paying tribute to the guides who illuminated the path.

🚀 A Charge to the Next Generation – Why “staying ready” is the most powerful advice for emerging leaders.

🗨️ We would love to hear your thoughts on this powerful season finale.

🤔 Who modeled "servant leadership" for you? Who in your life leads with joy, responsibility, and a focus on lifting others?

➡️ Share your "Service Titans" with us on social media by tagging @ServiceTitan and using the hashtag #ServiceTitansPodcast.

📧 Are you building a career in service? We want to hear your story. Reach out—let's highlight more leaders like Michael.

🎙️ Guest: Michael Smith Website: https://eckerd.org/trailblazing-social-impact-leader-michael-d-smith-named-president-and-ceo-of-eckerd-connects/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldsmithii

🎙️ Host: Anton Taylor

Website: www.antonrtaylor.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/antonrtaylor

Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introduction
01:23 Early Life and Influences
04:48 Defining Service and Its Importance
07:14 Leadership at AmeriCorps
10:27 Personal Identity and Leadership
13:17 Leadership Principles and Practices
16:44 Excitement at Eckerd Connects
21:12 Advice for Young Leaders
24:33 Service Titans and Final Thoughts

Hashtags
#ServiceTitans #SeasonFinale #ServantLeadership #AmeriCorps #NonprofitLeadership #EckerdConnects #CommunityImpact #Mentorship #OutcomesFocus #ProximateLeadership #YouthDevelopment #SocialChange #PodcastFinale #MichaelSmith

Free Leadership & Growth Assessment

A short assessment designed to highlight areas of alignment, challenge, and development. Results may inform future support options through Tumani Consulting LLC.
👉🏾[Free Growth Assessment]

How does a life of service evolve from grassroots action to shaping state-level policy?

What does it take to lead with equity at the intersection of non-profit work and government?

CEO and Ohio State Rep Phil joins Service Titans to share how his family's values and his AmeriCorps roots fueled a career dedicated to youth investment. He reflects on the need for equitable systems and honors the mentors—like his parents and Randy Shepherd—who made him the leader he is today.

Highlights 💡

• 🏡 A Foundation of Service – How Phil’s family and their Great Migration story instilled core values of community and family.

  
  

• 🔄 The AmeriCorps Catalyst – The life-changing discovery of AmeriCorps that set his professional path in motion.

  
  

• 🚀 From Direct Service to Leadership – The transition from grassroots roles to executive leadership at City Year Cleveland.

  
  

• ⚖️ Championing Systemic Change – Why creating equitable opportunities for youth requires changing the systems, not just the people.

  
  

• 👔 Representation in Nonprofit Leadership – The challenges and necessities of diverse leadership in the social sector.

  
  

• 🌱 The Responsibility of Leadership – A leader's duty to create inclusive spaces and sponsor the next generation.

  
  

• 🙏 Honoring Service Titans – Paying tribute to the mentors and family members who paved the way.

  
  

• 🔭 Vision for the Future – Phil's current work and vision for the future of youth investment and policy.

🗨️ We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode.

🤔 Who are the "service titans" in your life? Who modeled the values of community and leadership for you?

➡️ Share your stories with us on social media by tagging @ServiceTitan and using the hashtag #ServiceTitansPodcast.

📧 And if you're working to create change in your community, we want to hear from you! Reach out—we’re always looking to highlight more heroes like Phil.

🎙️ Guest: Phil Robinson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillip-m-robinson-jr-698b274

🎙️ Host: Anton Taylor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/antontaylor
https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-titans-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Service Titans Podcast
01:35 Guest Introduction: Phil, CEO and Ohio State Representative
01:45 Phil's Upbringing and Early Influences
04:09 Discovering AmeriCorps: A Life-Changing Journey
09:21 Impact of AmeriCorps and Youth Service
14:40 Challenges and Representation in Nonprofit Leadership
16:53 Honoring Service Titans: Personal Inspirations
20:02 Final Thoughts and Current Projects

Hashtags
#ServiceTitan #ServiceTitanPodcast #AmeriCorps #PolicyChange #YouthInvestment #NonprofitLeadership #Equity #SystemicChange #Mentorship #CommunityService #BlackLeadership #CityYear

Free Leadership & Growth Assessment

A short assessment designed to highlight areas of alignment, challenge, and development. Results may inform future support options through Tumani Consulting LLC.👉🏾[⁠Free Growth Assessment⁠]

What does it truly take to build bridges and remove barriers in our workplaces and communities?

Emmanuel Paul Sterling, has dedicated his career to answering that question through a powerful blend of mission-driven work, equitable hiring practices, and creating spaces where people feel seen and heard.

A Louisiana native and NYC transplant who has built a career around equity and people, Emmanuel shares his upbringing in Louisiana, his transformative experiences with AmeriCorps, and his dedication to creating equitable hiring and inclusive cultures.

He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, intentionality, and creating spaces for black men to feel seen and heard. Emmanuel also discusses his future vision for service and equity, drawing inspiration from the works of James Baldwin, and leaves us with a powerful call to action to connect with those who have made a difference in our lives.

Highlights 💡

🏠 A Louisiana Foundation – Emmanuel shares how his early life and family background in Louisiana shaped his worldview.

🔄 The AmeriCorps Transformation – The pivotal discovery of AmeriCorps and its profound impact on his life and career path.

The Art of Building Relationships – How genuine connection is the cornerstone of making a real difference.

🆔 Bringing Your Whole Self to Work – Emmanuel discusses the influence of identity in professional life and leadership.

⚖️ Creating Equitable Hiring & Culture – A deep dive into the intentional work of removing barriers and building inclusive spaces.

🌱 Mentorship with Intentionality – The critical importance of support systems and actively sponsoring the next generation.

🔭 A Future Forged in Equity – Emmanuel’s visionary outlook on the future of service, equity, and hiring.

📚 The James Baldwin Blueprint – How the works of a literary titan inspire a modern framework for justice and understanding.

"Emmanuel left us with a resonant thought: building bridges requires both the courage to cross them and the wisdom to tear down the walls that stood in their place."

🗨️ We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode.

🤔 Who has been a bridge-builder in your life? A mentor who removed a barrier for you?

➡️ Share your stories with us on social media by tagging @ServiceTitan and using the hashtag #ServiceTitansPodcast.

📧 And if you're working to build more equitable spaces in your own community, reach out—we’re always looking to highlight more heroes like Emmanuel.

🎙️ Guest: Emmanuel Paul Sterling

https://www.instagram.com/epsisforstyle/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emsterling

🎙️ Host: Anton Taylor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/antontaylor

https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-titans-podcast

Chapters

00:00 Meet Emmanuel Paul Sterling

01:13 Emmanuel's Early Life and Family Background

03:51 Discovering AmeriCorps and Its Impact

06:29 Building Relationships and Making a Difference

08:45 Identity and Influence in Professional Life

12:15 Creating Equitable Spaces in Hiring and Culture

16:34 Mentorship and Intentional Support

20:55 Vision for the Future: Service and Equity

26:17 Honoring a Service Titan: Emmanuel's Tribute

30:41 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected

Hashtags

#ServiceTitan #ServiceTitanPodcast #BuildingBridges #RemovingBarriers #Equity #InclusiveSpaces #MissionDriven #AmeriCorps #Mentorship #BlackLeadership #JamesBaldwin #EquitableHiring #CommunityImpact #SocialJustice

Free Leadership & Growth Assessment

A short assessment designed to highlight areas of alignment, challenge, and development. Results may inform future support options through Tumani Consulting LLC.👉🏾[⁠Free Growth Assessment⁠]

What if your life's purpose was written into your family's history?

Nathaniel H. Benjamin, believes his passion for service is a direct inheritance from his ancestors, and he's channeled that legacy into a remarkable career dedicated to lifting up others and building stronger communities.

Nathaniel H. Benjamin shares the deep roots of his commitment to service, beginning with the values instilled in him by his faith community and his family's profound involvement in the civil rights movement.

He recounts his formative experience as an inaugural AmeriCorps role that allowed his entrepreneurial spirit to flourish within a framework of national service.

Nathaniel reflects openly on the importance of representation in leadership, his personal battles with imposter syndrome, and the mentors who guided him.

He also highlights the impactful work of his company, Vertical Works, and celebrates the contributions of his colleagues in public service, framing service not as a job, but as a lifelong identity.

Highlights 💡

The Foundation of Service – Nathaniel discusses how his faith-based community and early memories shaped his understanding of helping others.

🌳 Family Roots in Activism – The powerful influence of learning about his ancestors' roles in the civil rights movement.

👑 The Weight and Power of Representation – The responsibility and importance of being a Black man in a senior executive role.

🎭 Confronting Imposter Syndrome – Nathaniel's honest advice on overcoming self-doubt and claiming your space at the table.

🤝 Mentorship as a Legacy – How being guided by others now informs his work in human capital and his own mentorship of young leaders.

🏆 Shouting Out Service Titans – Recognizing colleagues making significant contributions in public service and education today.

Nathaniel left us with a powerful thought: service isn't just something you do for a year or a career—it's an identity passed down through generations.

🗨️ We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode.

🤔 Who is the 'Service Titan' in your life?

➡️ Share your stories with us on social media by tagging @Service_Titans and using the hashtag #ServiceTitanPodcast.

🎙️ Guest: Nathaniel H. Benjamin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanielhbenjamin

https://verticalworks.org/our-leadership-team/

https://www.instagram.com/nathanielhbenjamin/?hl=en

🎙️Host: Anton Taylor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/antontaylor

https://www.linkedin.com/company/service-titans-podcast

Hashtags

#ServiceTitans #NationalService #AmeriCorps #NCCC #PublicService #Leadership #RepresentationMatters #BlackLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #ImposterSyndrome #Mentorship #Legacy #FaithInAction #VerticalWorks #HumanCapital #CivilRightsLegacy #FaithCommunity #Entrepreneurship #SocialImpact

Free Leadership & Growth Assessment

A short assessment designed to highlight areas of alignment, challenge, and development. Results may inform future support options through Tumani Consulting LLC.👉🏾[⁠Free Growth Assessment⁠]