RUSTIN with Crystal Taylor
In the latest episode of The Film Nuts Podcast, we delve into the remarkable journey of Crystal Taylor, affectionately known as the Queen Curator. From her beginnings as a Girl Scout troop leader to becoming a significant community activist and organizer, Crystal's story is one of dedication, passion, and transformative impact. This episode provides an in-depth look at how Crystal has navigated the challenges of community building and activism, mirroring the life and work of historical figures like Bayard Rustin, as portrayed in the Netflix film Rustin.
Crystal Taylor's journey began with her involvement in the Girl Scouts, where she honed her leadership skills and developed a deep-seated passion for community service. Her commitment to fostering meaningful connections and cultural events has been the cornerstone of her work. One of her most notable achievements is the Beats and Bars Festival, a cultural event that celebrates its ninth year. This festival is not just a music event but a platform for artistic expression and community engagement, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and representation in cultural spaces.
The episode highlights how Crystal draws inspiration from the Netflix film Rustin, which depicts the life of Bayard Rustin, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement. Like Rustin, Crystal faces numerous emotional and logistical challenges in her work. She discusses how the portrayal of historical figures like Rustin by actors such as Colman Domingo can inspire and motivate individuals to pursue their own paths in activism. Crystal's story underscores the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and the impact of mentorship in achieving personal and professional growth.
Crystal Taylor's activism is deeply rooted in the concept of building inclusive communities through intentional actions and genuine allyship. She emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that celebrate Black liberation, particularly during Black August, a month dedicated to honoring Black resistance and freedom struggles. Crystal also confronts systemic issues such as gentrification and the prison industrial system, advocating for change through collaborative efforts with like-minded individuals. Her commitment to these causes reflects her dedication to making meaningful changes in society.
One of the key themes of the episode is the power of collaboration in activism. Crystal shares her experiences of overcoming hesitation to seek support and collaboration, particularly as a Black woman. Collaborations highlight the importance of building genuine relationships rather than transactional ones, a principle that Crystal holds dear in her community and business endeavors.
The episode also explores the importance of support and recognition in advocacy work. Crystal discusses the value of maintaining connections beyond transactional interactions and the need for authenticity and mutual respect. She shares personal experiences of receiving recognition from unexpected sources, such as business journals and political figures, which affirm her commitment to her work. These moments of validation and self-affirmation are crucial in sustaining the emotional and psychological well-being of activists.
In the final chapter of the episode, Crystal reflects on the challenges faced by Black women in predominantly white male industries. She discusses the sense of accomplishment and recognition that comes with being acknowledged by high-profile entities like the governor and the deputy secretary. Crystal emphasizes the importance of inspiration and handwritten notes as motivators, illustrating how leadership and challenging conventional thinking can push boundaries and encourage teams to achieve what was previously thought impossible.
Throughout the episode, Crystal's journey is portrayed as a masterclass in how dedication and passion can bring about significant change. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of activism and the impact of community building. By forming meaningful partnerships and receiving recognition from unexpected places, Crystal underscores the value of authenticity and mutual respect in all endeavors. Her insights on mentorship and unwavering support highlight the importance of inspiring others and pushing boundaries, leading to profound personal and professional growth.
As we listen to Crystal Taylor's inspiring journey, we are reminded of the importance of community, collaboration, and the courage to seek support. Her dedication to creating inclusive spaces and organizing impactful events serves as a powerful example of how individuals can make a difference in their communities. This episode is not just a celebration of Crystal's achieve.
transcript
Taylor D. AdamsHost
00:44
Hi, I'm Taylor and welcome back to the Film Nuts podcast, a show about why we love what we watch, and if you're joining us for the first time, welcome. I hope you enjoy your time here. I mentioned at the end of our last episode on Midnight Mass how the idea of community has become really important to me throughout the run of the Film Notes podcast, as well as in my life in general. Community in air quotes has become kind of a buzzword in recent years, but don't let that detract from its significance. When it's used in earnest, when we find the people who really get us, who represent our ideas and who help us grow, that's something worth fighting for. Sometimes community is a niche film and TV podcast like this one, but other times it can be something bigger, like a human rights movement.
01:36
The Netflix original film Rustin starring Coleman Domingo tells the true story of activist Bayard Rustin as he helps change the course of civil rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington amid rampant racism and homophobia. Rustin is a movie that details all the hard work that goes into massive community organization and because of that it was a mirror for my wonderful guest today. Crystal Taylor, aka the Queen Curator, is an entrepreneur, community organizer and event curator, whose own journey she saw reflected in Bayard Rustin's efforts. Crystal feels that portrayals of figures like Rustin can push us to serve and better our own communities. Crystal and I chat about finding purpose, cultural events that can bring people together and what it's like being on the cover of magazines. I sincerely hope you enjoy this episode, because they won't teach you this stuff in history class. Here's Crystal Taylor talking about Rustin on the Film Nuts podcast.
02:38
I mean this is an award in itself being on the cover of magazines here this is so cool on the cover of.
02:44
North Carolina Central's alumni magazine. Yeah, um, tell me a little bit about everything going on. In this picture you're in a field looking gorgeous at all, as always, thank you working on, like I think feel like a million different things right now it feels like it yeah, and I feel like if I asked you to talk about all of them, we'd be here for two hours. Um, I can give you a short, but I do want to focus a little bit on we're coming up on the eight year birthday it's nine.
03:11
It's nine, nine, that's so awesome so tell me, tell me a little bit about what that's like going on the ninth birthday of beats and bars festival um a lot of coffee obviously obviously, and stress, but excitement.
Crystal TaylorGuest
03:28
I'm very proud. We've known each other for how long Since 2015?
Taylor D. AdamsHost
03:33
Yeah, I think 15 or 16.
Crystal TaylorGuest
03:34
Yeah, and at that time I did not know what I was doing. And I still feel like. I feel like now I know what I'm doing, but it's like I'm breaking over.
03:47
You know, I'm really getting into the crease of it, which is crazy because, like for nine years you've been doing something and then you think that you've got it good and then you finally like, oh, this is how it goes you know, kind of thing, but I'm excited about it and I'm very proud and it's like to do something for nine years, um, consistently, and I've failed and made some bad mistakes and learned from it and been depressed for like six months for it and you know, this, this festival is like a child to me and it's and it's been a road, but it's good, it's really good. I'm very excited. This is my first year booking as big as I did for the headliners.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
04:32
That's awesome. Yeah, looking back on, I was at the first Beats and Bars. Looking back on that first one.
Crystal TaylorGuest
04:38
You did the recap video for that one I did. Yeah, I did the first recap video.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
04:41
Yeah. So looking from like yeah, back in back during the first one to now, how have you seen it grow yourself grow as well as like, this is like, these are like community things. So have you seen the community grow and maybe embrace it?
Crystal TaylorGuest
04:58
um, I have seen people that came to the first one consistently come every year looking for the conference. I have seen them take what they've learned in the conference spaces and use that to help them evolve as creatives and artists. And if I'm not doing it for anybody besides my friends, I'm doing it for those people who really like seek to come. And it's like a running joke in the team meetings Like I'm, like I only be thinking like me and like 20 other people are going to come to Beeson Bars Because you know, You're like me and my friends.
05:52
Yeah, me and my friends, you know, because I'm essentially like, this is why I'm doing all these things for me and my friends to have spaces that would enjoy, because we're all cool and we love to do these things. Right, but to see, um, the city sponsor it, the state sponsor it, um, coca-cola, just people, corporate companies like step up and say, hey, I want to support you. Here's a check for this, or how can we give you access to certain things. It's like very overwhelmingly, like I'm has so much gratitude for that, because literally, it's just me saying I want to do this thing and everybody's like, okay, cool, it sounds great, and it's all the things that, um, I've stayed consistent with making sure the festival looks like things that I care about and I think my friends care about too, that are they're affected by and things that are important to them. So, um, even from having child care available for people because I'm a single mom and massa is gonna need to be somewhere attending something and so to be able to remember it from day one to now and to see how people have new people come around every year for it. People that have been watching it for years are still coming for it. People love t-shirts like.
07:01
It's just stuff that I don't even think about, but I do remember, through the process of planning it and stuff, so it's I have grown a whole lot in the sense of recognizing that it's bigger than me. Um, it's about my community that I'm serving and it's also about the culture, protecting it and making sure that, um, every aspect is lifted up and also killing the narrative that hip-hop just looks like something for black people. Um, making sure that I'm opening up to my spanish and mexican latino family, white people, people that don't know where they fit in the race spectrum, just people who love the culture in general and want to learn about it and want to be able to come and meet new people just off the strength of love of music and culture, of even the graffiti and music and dance and all that stuff. So, just being able to be more open and learning what people care about in hip-hop culture and not just focusing in on music, yeah, so, yeah, it's been.
08:09
It's been a learning process, like I'm being stretched and challenged. Beast and bars is a very big, challenging feat for me and I have changed so many times, but the last couple years going through covet was a a big experience for me to be able to be humble. I took a loss one year of like probably over $75,000, bouncing back from that and taking in like OK, I lost this money, it's OK Like you're not a failure.
ClipOther
08:41
You know, learn from it.
Crystal TaylorGuest
08:43
I was really hard on myself for that for a while, and it was reflective in the festival and so, um, gratefully, my team is able to like hold me accountable for how I'm showing up as a leader, because that's what's gonna happen at the festival if I'm not in a good, healthy space. So it's all. It's all relative, but it's great.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
09:05
Yeah, I'm good, I'm happy and the festival is happy, like you know, it's good um, okay, so when I asked you about what movie you wanted to talk about, went back and forth a little bit we did. But then when you said Rustin, in my head I was like that's so perfect. So I have my own reasons why I believe there's a connection between you and this movie, but I want to know why you wanted to talk about Rustin.
Crystal TaylorGuest
09:29
Dude, I literally. I'm sorry, I just hit the microphone, Literally. I watched this movie randomly one night and I don't get to watch movies often because of NASA, but I was sitting there watching this movie and I was in awe, Friend one of my greatest joys is watching you rise.
ClipOther
09:56
We need you to lead us into Los Angeles, where we will most vigorously let Kennedy and the entire Democratic Party know that unless they show up for our people, take a stand against segregation, our people will not show up for them. Yes, yes, yes. Do this, martin, own your power.
Crystal TaylorGuest
10:16
I had thought to myself, like I wonder how big marches and different things, like who does that? Because now I'm in a space of like pushing myself into a different space of event curating and producing, right, I got a goal to produce the Super Bowl one day. I got a goal to produce a march like that in DC or whatever one day, and I just ended up watching this movie. And I'm watching a movie and I'm just like, oh my gosh, this is how it happened, like the March on Washington, right, and just watching it I was. I felt like I was watching myself, you know, and all the things that he had to do was doing all the people he's talking to, encouraging, yelling, fighting, crying, like all the emotions.
11:07
I was like I know this life, but I was just amazed at how, um, just watching what I do happen in that way and it was just very inspiring. And then the next thing I know I get a call to help reverend barber organize the march on the capitol in raleigh. Oh yeah, wow. So right after I watched this movie wow, I got I said to myself, man, I want to organize something like that, right, and I get a call literally like within a week. Wow.
11:43
I got a call and I was able to do that like within months. Man Isn't that crazy.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
11:49
That ain't some serendipitous shit. Right there I'm telling you.
Crystal TaylorGuest
11:52
That's what I'm saying. Like you know what it's in here, you know what I mean. Like, if you're already in the path, like you just got to be, like I want to do what. You know what I mean, yeah, so, yeah, that's. That's the kind of vibe I'm on.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
12:05
That's awesome, that's so cool, um, yeah, so like when you said this movie, I was like I watched this movie, I think back in february, um, and thought it was really good. And sometimes these uh movies about historical figures, biopics, sometimes they kind of follow the same formula and like that's a little bit in here, but I had no idea who or what it was about. Yeah. And there's a lot of energy in this movie too. Like there's a lot. It's like quick. It's serious, but also funny. Like there's also some really interesting dynamics.
Crystal TaylorGuest
12:35
And there's a lot of community and collaboration. It's amazing so there's a lot of community and collaboration. It's amazing.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
12:38
Yeah, it's really solid, but that is like true to life.
ClipOther
12:42
Yeah.
Crystal TaylorGuest
12:43
Like that movie is solid, like if you follow me for a day, for a week, like that movie is exactly it.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
12:52
The scene where they're first coming up with the ideas about the March on. Washington. I was like I wonder if this is what Crystal's meetings look like.
Crystal TaylorGuest
12:58
It's insane. It's so true to life. I'm just not gay, even me not being gay. The relationship stuff Going through a breakup or going through a partner, that's just like hello, all the things Life does not stop lifing. And for us to be able to see his life personally and also his life as rustin, like in the, in the business, and dealing with, like this person that I love, this, this thing I'm going through people know they don't know, whatever, whatever, and then being in the boardroom fighting for this, that and the third, and then telling your team blah, blah, blah and dealing with the emotional roller coaster. It's so true to life Like it is, and I just absolutely love that movie so much.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
13:51
Yeah, I was blown away by Coleman Domingo. He got nominated for an Oscar for this movie and that was super cool to just see that, something that I-watched it just yesterday. Um, just in preparation for a chat, and one of the things that there was a quote that came across to me that I want to get your thoughts on. So, uh, he says in this movie, inspiration untethered from action loses all value. So what are your thoughts on that?
Crystal TaylorGuest
14:17
amen statement yeah, amen, like you know I can. I can't risk like letting dormant mindset play in. You know like I thrive off of being inspired, I thrive off of being motivated, I thrive off of positivity and energy from people. Today, you know like I don't waste my time on things that will kill any of that inspiration. Um, because inspiration comes to me for a reason to empower me and gas me to do these things right. And so when you aren't in those spaces or community, like it kills that. It's like you don't use it, you lose it. And so if you have the inspiration, inspiration comes and it's there, like water that you know fuel that to keep it moving, because that keeps the possibility of anything alive, you know so alive.
15:19
So when he said that, it's like, yeah, you know why would I talk to anybody?
Taylor D. AdamsHost
15:27
who's?
Crystal TaylorGuest
15:27
not going to inspire or push or motivate.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
15:30
It's one of those things where, like, we all know that, but until somebody says it it doesn't like click. So when he said that, I was like he said it in a really eloquent way. And I was like, oh, in a really eloquent, what eloquent way. And I was like, oh, yeah, that literally like that makes a hundred percent sense and it's not even a novel idea.
Crystal TaylorGuest
15:46
But when it's voiced out loud, it all of a sudden has a different weight to it and you take it a little more seriously when you hear something yeah, well, you know also people get stuck in negative yeah like somebody can call you and tell you some craziness that's going on and you're next thing you know you're in a phone call for 30 minutes going back and forth about he said, she said or this conflict or beef or whatever, and it takes your energy back down to a place of like you know, yeah, what am I doing next you?
16:19
know, kind of you know yeah and so you know I try to protect myself from those kind of things because everything that's on me I have to stay up and I'm not saying every day I'm like hype and inspired and whatever, because I have to choose to be inspired. I have to choose to be. I have to choose to have my energy up every day, and some days I'm just. I just don't care about anything and I just don't want to do nothing and just float, float through.
16:49
But you do have to feel that inspiration and then, when it's in you and you're waking up every day and you see all these beautiful things here and you know you're like yes, I'm doing this, and then when the awards stuff come, it helps even fuel it even more, Because you've already how many people do you know that have these things Like there are, that you know that you can walk in their house and see more? Of that.
17:14
You know, and that's enough inspiration in itself to be like you know. I don't know nobody else cooler than me right now, unless to be like you know, I don't know anybody else cooler than me right now, unless they're you know somewhere that you want to attain. To be, yeah, you know. Yeah, very true.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
17:25
Yeah, so what? I don't think I've ever asked you this question, but what got you first involved in? Basically like community organization. Was there like an idea? Was there something that you felt was lacking, that you needed to see?
Crystal TaylorGuest
17:43
so my mother always would tell me if you see something you don't like, don't complain about it, do something about it. That's what she would always say. And it started with girl scouts. Okay, I used to get. I encountered some girls, young girls, and I was just so disappointed in their behavior. And I saw these girls and I was just like ugh, yikes, like they need mentors, you know. And so I talked to my mom and she's like don't complain about it, do something about it. And the only thing I knew to do was go and submit myself to be a Girl Scout leader and I started a troop, troop 1464.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
18:24
Okay, are they still around?
Crystal TaylorGuest
18:25
No, well, we dissolved the troop. By the time they got to like they were going to graduate middle school. Okay. And they just had so many activities and it was a lot Okay and I still know all the girls. We have a group chat and everything.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
18:40
Oh, that's awesome.
Crystal TaylorGuest
18:41
And still talk. They're in college and doing their thing. It's great, but um, I wanted to do something and help inspire something you know, that was different, and so that started that. And then, when I recognized how dope that was, um, I started my business Underground Collective and at first it was just to be able to help shape the culture of what I was hearing. Because music changed. It took a whole shift and I wasn't happy about the shift, about the shift, and I was like, well, I'm gonna create a platform where I can meet real artists that are good, to keep them, you know, encouraged about the music they're making so they won't make the music this trash on the radio.
19:32
So that happened and then that was going well and been doing that for a long time 13 years and I met moses ochola and he wanted to do black august in a park and I had no idea about black august, what that meant, what it was what does that mean?
Taylor D. AdamsHost
19:54
like that phrase, that idea black august is a.
Crystal TaylorGuest
19:58
It's a commemorative time of the month of. August. It is not something we just in Durham have, it's a thing across the world that celebrates the liberation of black people. In San Quentin, the Soledad brothers were locked up wrongfully and they went through this whole unjust prison system. So it is really to lift up the injustices that happen in the prison judicial system. Okay.
20:29
And so we decided to create a space for people to come be in remembrance of people that have passed and died and been murdered in the month of August, because it's a very bloody historical time for.
20:40
African American community and culture, and so we created that space for that, because gentrification was ramping at that time and so we wanted to create a space for people to come black people to come and celebrate being free and liberated and safe, and in Durham, and so we did that. Me learning about the history, my dad grew up in Tuscaloosa, alabama, and he shared a lot of his experiences.
21:12
He actually wrote a book that I'm waiting to try to get published, but he shared a lot of his experiences in Alabama, you know, in the 40s and 50s you know, as a kid, so I knew things, but I didn't know like the full, like knowledge around black liberation, and so, um, I contribute that to Moses, like bringing me into the space of, like learning that stuff and so if you're organizing this event, like, you need to know about the history of it and what's going on, and so that helped me open my eyes to the prison, industrial system, injustices that were going on, gentrification, um, even agriculture, racism that's been going on.
21:53
So black farmers market, you know, happened from that kind of situation, and so, um, you know, my parents were always very like clear about racism, what was going on, but they also taught us to find your people, um, no matter what they look like, and that been able to do that, you know.
22:10
And so, um, being all this work that I'm doing and learning about all the injustices and the racisms and just the things that were happening in all these spaces, um, it just helped me, encourage me and push me to want to be that person, to speak up for injustices and unfairness and just creating space to be able to change the narrative and build community of people that wanted to help make those changes happen.
22:42
And so that doesn't always like just all black people like you're one of my people, and I have people that don't look like me, that care about the same things, are passionate about the same things, and they know what they get as me being their friend and also like ally and advocate. So it's, it's been, um, I love my life, I love the work I get to do for community and I love that people know what they get when they're calling me to help them do something, because it also means that they're really intentional about changing the narrative and where their workspace is like when they want to do something for community, like when I say community, black people, they're like we don't know how to do this and we don't want to mess it up.
23:27
So will you help us do this and not mess it up and create space where we can build community properly. And you know either I will or won't, depending on what kind of conversations we have going forward, because I have to know the person and make sure their intention is right. So it's been fun, it's been great.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
23:45
So sorry for the interruption, but I will be brief. I am so grateful that you decided to listen to the Film Nuts podcast today. If you are enjoying what you're hearing, please consider supporting the show on Patreon. With a small monthly amount, you can get access to behind the scenes goodies, early access to full episodes and you can vote on what movie we watch the first Monday of every month on the Nuthouse Discord. The Nuthouse itself is free to join and is full of other film and TV lovers, so you'll fit right in.
24:13
You can check out info on all these things in the show notes, and if all of this sounds like a bit too much, that's totally OK. But if you want to keep up to date on all of our episodes, please be sure and subscribe on your favorite platform of choice, and if you're listening on Apple podcasts, go ahead and leave a rating and review so we can get in front of other awesome people like yourself. Okay, Enough of me rambling back to the good stuff. Like I said, when you wanted to talk about Rustin, I was like that makes so much sense. Crystal.
24:41
The community organization the collaboration, trying to get all these pieces together and balancing everything. What do you think that this movie says about the potential and the power of collaboration?
Crystal TaylorGuest
24:57
It's inspiring. I have walked in the spaces and been terrified to ask for collaboration and support, just being like a black woman and not knowing if it made sense or they would like it or they would just be like no, right, um, but I've found I found my way before watching the movie, but then watching the movie was even more inspiring and invigorating. To be like no, just go. What if?
ClipOther
25:26
we flood the offices of every member of the house and tenant with delegates of church, labor, civil rights and and such numbers, the legislative branch will cease to function.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
25:36
Write it on the wall. No, no, it is impossible to train that. Many effective lobbyists no, no, it is impossible to train that many effective lobbyists.
ClipOther
25:41
No, no, no, no, no. Do not kill an impulse before it's born.
ClipOther
25:44
What if, instead of lobbyists, they were constituents from their respective states who refused to leave until they've been heard?
ClipOther
25:50
Now, that's collaboration.
Crystal TaylorGuest
25:52
Write it on the wall. It helps me figure out how to do it in more strategic ways and also motivated me just to be like you know, don't care. Like you want to see something and people. You find people that agree to wanting to see that. Like, this is how you can tackle it, this is how you go and just do it. And it's kind of interesting because during the pandemic I wanted to do movies and a lot for you know community, because there was something going on.
26:25
People can't go anywhere and I called adam klein at the time. Adam was with american tobacco campus and I was like, hey, I need a parking lot. And adam isn't again one of those allies and friends that doesn't look like me but helps create spaces and like Michael Goodman too, like these are friends and advocates but also allies that will help create space to do these types of things for community. And we made the connection with the Durham Bulls and had a great conversation and I was unapologetically clear about like what are your efforts to bring community into the ballpark? Like, what are we doing? At the time DEI was becoming to be a hot stoke.
27:11
You know slogan right now and so I was just like you know what are you guys doing to make sure people are here, make sure community knows it's a safe space? You know things of that nature and they didn't really have, you know, a plan or a concept at the time. So it was it made sense to say, hey, crystal, bring your community into this space so they know it's a welcome space, this, this is something that we're doing, a special event thing that we can collaborate on a community member with. So those types of things have happened and just skyrocketed my ability to be able to connect and build those bridges. So hopefully, if somebody else comes along, they want to do it, they can be open and you know, okay with doing that kind of thing to build for a community.
28:00
So it's cool, I love it, and that movie contributed to my gas to want to keep doing that stuff. So again, it's out there now People know you need to call Crystal, you want to build bridges and you want to create space and you want to advocate and do it the right way and find out what community wants, what they don't want, what they won't respond to, versus how to do this the proper business way. People have learned that I'm the good I'm sitting on the fence.
28:34
Okay, you know, so I can be business crystal or street crystal.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
28:38
You know, so it's fun you can be in both worlds. Yeah, I totally understand.
Crystal TaylorGuest
28:43
I enjoy it too.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
28:44
That's awesome. So one of the interesting things upon the second watch for me watching this movie was it showcases a lot of issues that come from different organizations fighting for the same cause but differing on the approach.
ClipOther
28:59
Gandhi brought an empire down to its knees. Would someone please tell this man that this is not India. For decades, the NAACP has been legally leading the charge, and now you're proposing 100,000 black folks invade Washington DC. Have you talked to Martin about this?
ClipOther
29:14
I lost his number, he lost mine.
ClipOther
29:16
Well, Dr King, who hasn't lost my number, has come to understand that mass lobbying is sheer madness Brown versus Board is the crowning glory of this organization.
ClipOther
29:26
Yet all across the South, when Negro children sleep, they see whites only signs instead of their dreams, counting on the courts to eradicate racial inequity. That's madness.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
29:38
Have you encountered anything like that in the events or causes you put together, and how have you kind of maybe overcome any obstacles that have come in the way?
Crystal TaylorGuest
29:46
Yeah, I mean, my approach is totally not traditional at all what is it my?
Taylor D. AdamsHost
29:51
way or the highway.
Crystal TaylorGuest
29:55
Well, you know, I believe in building community, like straight up, right, if we can't be cool in the boardroom and like at home or at a restaurant and chilling, then we're just transact, we're just being transactional and I I can't function that way.
30:15
I don't like that. I mean, I have relationships like that. Of course you know I'm an entrepreneur, yeah, but I prefer to have a relationship with you, like if you're gonna give me thousands of dollars or if you're gonna do something from my community, I want to know that you're doing it off the intention of the real basis of what is needed for, and also that you mean well, like you're just not trying to fill your numbers for the end of year or for that quarter or whatever. I do have relationships with people that just want something to get done and they don't care about how's your mom doing, you know the fluffy type things, and I prefer to not have a lot of relationships like that because I really believe that we're all like, we're all characters in this situation of world and so you know, somebody could leave their job as this person tomorrow. So does that mean I don't get to talk to you anymore?
31:20
I don't get to work with you anymore, yeah, you know. And so sometimes, yeah, that's what that does mean. But I'm fortunate to have relationships with people that will leave a place, go to another place and want to shake stuff up at another place. Say, crystal, I'm here at this place, I want to do this at the third, let's do something similar to what we did.
31:41
You know, yeah, and it keeps going, and so I prefer to have those types of relationships, now, those are not traditionally what you see in the kind of community advocacy work that I do and some people don't like the way of like how I've worked. Like you know, I build relationships and I go for it. Like some people don't want to work with white people, some people don't want to, you know, collaborate that way where they have to change up some of their thoughts or processes, and I'm open. So, what people want to do and how they want to do it, and I'm open to collaborate with white people that I believe that feel the same notions and desires for their community too, and so I don't care.
32:38
You know, whatever feels good and safe and right, especially if I get to know the person, then I move off that and I truly believe that you can't fake being real. You can't fake what you care about, what your intention is. People can lie about it, but when you talk to a person and get to know them and see you know, you can hear it, you can feel it, you know intentionality and the, the, the realness in that. Yeah, so that's how I work. A lot of times people don't care for that, but you know, gratefully, I don't have long term relationships with those people, so watching him was reminiscent of that.
33:27
Rustin yeah, you could tell who were the people that had his back and other people were like get this guy out of here. And I have had my own community say certain things or accuse me of being self servant or something like that. So, like I said from the beginning, like that movie is true to life, like you got people that look like you, that judge you or criticize you. They got people that look like you, that love you and support what you're doing, and then you have people who don't that do the same thing too.
33:59
So you know it's it's definitely an emotional roller coaster period yeah and you wouldn't think like in my mind um, I deal with slight imposter syndrome. Okay, a very small amount of it, just because there's a very small amount of people who don't get it or are not on board.
34:20
Very small amount of people if there's more, I don't know them and I don't want to hear it either. Yeah, but it's, it's discouraging and distracting because it's like it's like over a thousand some people that are over here like yeah, yeah, yeah, and you're like no, you know so it makes you think you know, yeah, like why you? Know like what's the problem, but I've learned that it's them like. Whatever it's, it's an internal self issue not a. Crystal issue or Crystal's work issue yeah.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
34:49
When you were talking about that. That actually reminded me about a scene in the movie. It's after the information about Baird Rustin's arrest record, yeah, and it comes out and there's like potential scandal bubbling for amongst the public. But then Martin Luther King Jr comes out and basically says, hey, this guy's, he's a good guy.
ClipOther
35:16
Mr Rustin is one of the most moral, one of the most decent human beings I have ever known. He is as committed to American democracy as any current elected official and would fight to protect the rights of all, including those who would use the power of their position to deny him his. I'm proud to call him friend.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
35:53
The character of Rustin witnesses this cries. Have you had someone or a group of some people come out in support of you that really moved you beyond? I really appreciate that.
Crystal TaylorGuest
36:07
I mean to be honest with you, like the Triangle Business Journal Journal Magazine, like those are not necessarily spaces that black people frequent or know about, um or read, and to be able to get that type of accolade from both of those spaces I mean um. The deputy secretary of the state has has sent me two handwritten congratulations letters. That's so cool. I just got a letter from the House representative last week congratulating me and saying thank you for the work, and I don't even think I've ever met her before. Wow.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
37:00
Is that validation, or is that just like a really fucking cool added bonus to?
Crystal TaylorGuest
37:06
things. I mean it's I don't want to say validation, because I'm I'm working on like self-validating, right, you know? Okay, um, but it's definitely like affirmative, like you're killing it, but it's from people that are not in my community. I got you. You know what I'm saying yeah and so it's like for me to do this bold, unapologetically, like you know, black advocacy for fair community engagement, for fair access.
37:42
For you know me being a black woman doing things in a white male dominated industry, it's like, oh, wow, thank you yeah you know, because I I'm, it's very clear, like you know, if you know me, you know you're getting, and so for me to be recognized, in my company's name being said underground Collective. Yeah, it's like a dope thing, yeah. And so when I get it on these platforms of like like the triangle business journal, you know, it's like man, that is super dope, like thank you, you know.
38:26
And so I just got another thank you card from a deputy secretary yesterday and I was like man, I gotta buy stacy something because she is like on it with and I love cards like handwritten cards, like that, and so she just keeps it coming and it's more inspiration. You know, like, if the governor and secretary and the deputy secretary, these people, they know who I am, they know what my work is, it's like, okay, yeah, I'm going to keep it rolling, then you know, good trouble. You know I'm going to keep doing it. That's awesome, so yeah.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
39:02
So do you have a favorite moment or scene from this movie?
ClipOther
39:08
hmm, I think that some of my favorite scenes were when they're in their meetings he's with his team and he's just like challenging their thought and they're all like what you wanna do that and he's like, yeah, rochelle, how many bodies did he take to surround the White House?
ClipOther
39:23
How many? Sorry, I thought that was the setup for a joke. You literally want me to find out.
ClipOther
39:29
Because day two we shall surround the White House. Draw the White House up on the board While serenading the president. Ain't gonna let the president turn me around, hold on now.
ClipOther
39:41
Turn me around Turn me around.
ClipOther
39:42
Come on now, turn me around. Turn me around. I'm going to be the president.
ClipOther
39:47
Turn me around. I'm going to keep on walking, keep on walking. Come on now Marching up to freedom land.
Crystal TaylorGuest
39:55
You know, you know he was, he was very like unafraid and he would challenge them their thought. And I find that happening with me and my team. You know I'll be like, well, why would you think we couldn't do that? Or you know?
40:15
And so every time he was meeting and you see the whiteboard well, you know the chalkboard back there and everything, and you know, it just reminded me of, like, how, in those moments, like you, can inspire a person's mind to go further than where it is in that box, and every time he was in a boardroom or meeting with his team like it was always my experience of watching that was you didn't forget that he was in there. You heard his voice, you felt his presence and you were either pissed off or inspired Okay, Depending on the room. Like in the boardroom.
40:59
Those guys are pissed off because he's bold, he's challenging, he's, you know, being you know, and in the workroom with his team he was inspiring. You know, creative, passionate, like pushing the mark. Yeah, like pushing the mark. So to be able to watch him show up in different ways depending on who he's talking to and how he's present, what he's presenting was, again, true to life. Like you know, I'm going to go on this boardroom, I'm going to tell y'all what we need to do, how we need to do it and who needs to do it. Who doesn't want to do it, get out. And then I'm going to go back to my team and say we're going to do this, this, this and this and this, Because we're going to prove that we can do this thing that they don't think we can do, but, you know, because it's still fuel. Like you hear, people say, oh, that's not been done and can't do this, Don't you just love that.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
41:57
Oh, that's not the way we do it Like get out.
Crystal TaylorGuest
41:59
Let me show you do it. Oh, yeah, get out, let me show you. And I say from that, let me show you. Yeah, like you're not thinking I'll help you, just sit right there, I'll be back later. And then to go back to your team and say hey, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. And then there was a woman, said you want to do what? He was like yes, my dear you know he was yeah you know, because it's encouraging.
42:23
Like you didn't think that you could do that yeah so you know to be able to, because I right now my I'm the oldest on my team. Okay, besides bishop, bishop is pretty old, but you look, you look good bishop he looks so great, but I mean, you know, he has been with me since the beginning. Yeah.
42:46
And so he is also one of those ones that will stand with me and say you've done everything else, why not? And so if I know anything, I know I can look at him and he'll be like yeah, do it. And so, to be able to inspire younger people to be like I had, I had lauren on my team. God bless her, she's probably the newest of all, and so she she reminds me of the young girl that was like you're gonna do what?
43:17
And so I tasked lauren with something, and when I reported back the following week, you know, she was overwhelmed. She was very flustered, overwhelmed, and she was like how do you do all this? And I'm just like, how do you not like, do you want it? Do you want to get this done? Like, let's figure out how to get this. You know, yeah, if I can do it, I know you can do it. And so, so she, you know, had that moment of like I cannot believe that you have been doing all this. And I just tasked her with the fact that you can too. You know, and it's reminiscent to those moments in the movie where it's like, you know, people don't have it until they can be shown or taught to do that.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
44:01
That was good.
Crystal TaylorGuest
44:01
That was a bar. That was a bar. That's a social media clip right there.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
44:07
So I know there's so much going on in this movie, both from like. It's a really good movie. It's inspiring. It teaches a bit of history too, for those of us who were uneducated about how everything kind of came together.
Crystal TaylorGuest
44:20
Yeah, so how would you recommend this movie to someone who hasn't seen it? If you want to be inspired, if you want to be inspired, if you want to be jolted, you want to learn what it takes, what people have gone through, to break barriers. You know, watch Rustin. You know. It's a great movie to make you feel like man, I'm not doing anything with myself. You know what I mean.
44:48
Like it's it's one of those movies where it's like man, people are really out here being extraordinary and it it really helps you figure out like am I going to be extraordinary or I'm just going to clock in and out? Yeah, and so there's nothing wrong with clocking in and out, but you know, it does inspire like the thought around like what can I do? How can I help? You know, what can I create? Yeah, you know.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
45:19
Yeah, I feel like a lot of people they might not realize that they need the inspiration.
45:25
Because there are plenty of people that are like look, I know what my life is, this is what I want to do, this is what is comfortable and makes me happy, and I don't want to kind of like stray too far beyond these boundaries that I've set for myself, but there are people out there that are like looking for a thing to like get involved in or be inspired with, and I think what you have proven, uh, with what you've been doing, um, as well as what, uh, bayard rustin has done in like throughout history, but specifically with this movie, rustin is proving that what was that quote? Again, yeah, inspiration untethered from action loses all value, and so I think you're doing a fantastic job of tethering action to inspiration. Thank you, crystal. I can't thank you enough for, oh, I'm so honored to be here sitting with my friend and talking about movies.
Crystal TaylorGuest
46:16
I want to come back and talk about more movies, okay, Okay, good to know. Yeah, okay, okay, good to know.
Taylor D. AdamsHost
46:25
I've been thinking a lot lately about the definition of success. The default societal measurements are stuff like income, title and maybe how many houses you own. But if we pivot that criteria to things like impact, message and the size of our communities, the idea of wealth becomes more attainable the kind of wealth measured by the number of people on which you have a profound imprint. With all the folks that Crystal mentioned in our chat about who she's worked with, it's clear she's making a difference, a difference big enough to cement her success in her community. So here's a question and call to action to you what are you doing for your community? Are you a parent who volunteers at their kid's school? Are you an ally to your marginalized friends? Do you donate any of your belongings to Goodwill? Any small bit helps. So if you think of a cool way to help your community, I want to hear about it. We want to hear about it. Everybody in the Nuthouse Discord community you can check out links to that in the show notes Hop on over. Tell us the best ways in which you're supporting your community and maybe what your favorite movie or TV show is. And before you go, I want to let you know that the next episode of the Film Nuts podcast will be the season four finale. It's finally here, it's been a long ride, and we will be discussing the indie classic Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. So in order to not miss out on that episode, please go ahead and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform of choice so you don't miss out. A huge thanks to Crystal for chatting with me today and a thank you the size of the National Mall to you for joining us. If you want to check out all of the events and initiatives that Crystal is a part of, head on over to the show notes for links to those things. If you enjoyed what you heard today, please go ahead and leave a rating and or review on your favorite podcast platform of choice, especially on Apple Podcasts, where if you leave a review, it helps us get noticed by more awesome people like yourself.
48:20
If you want to help the Film Nuts podcast get even bigger and better, please consider supporting us on Patreon. In exchange, you'll get some really dope perks and behind the scenes access and, in general, just feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You can find links to that in the show notes or visit patreoncom. Slash film nuts. Our theme this season is brought to us by the Deep End. Our artwork is designed by Modongwa Subuhudi, our head of production is Keaton Lusk, and all episodes of the Film Nuts podcast are produced and edited by me, taylor D Adams. If you want to get in touch, you can email filmnutspodcast at gmailcom or follow us on Instagram and TikTok at filmnutspodcast. Thank you all again. So much for joining us today and until next time, have each other's backs, take care and fight the power.