Blaise Taylor of Arkansas State University, this year’s Arthur Ashe Jr. Male Sports Scholar, stands out no matter the situation. A gifted defensive back, he holds the Red Wolves’ record for career punt return yards and finished his collegiate career as a three-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection.
This past college season, Taylor was the only player at a Football Bowl Subdivision school to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees before the start of his true senior season.
“He represents everything that the student-athlete stands for,” says Jerry Scott, assistant athletics director for media relations. “His credentials show how seriously he takes school. From an athlete side, he’s a team leader and makes those around him better, which is the ultimate sign of a leader. He’s dedicated to community service, specifically working with at-risk youth, trying to have an impact on their lives and making the community better.”
Utilizing knowledge acquired in his MBA studies, Taylor, 22, developed a plan, filed the paperwork and launched a nonprofit organization The Power of 1 or 2. He co-founded this with his sister, Starr Taylor, a starting guard on Arkansas State’s women’s basketball team.
“My sister and I have always had a passion for helping at-risk youth,” says Taylor, who prior to forming The Power of 1 or 2 participated in extensive community service and received the university’s Distinguished Service Award. “I felt if we combined our efforts into one organization, we could make a better impact.
“A lot of people believe there’s strength in numbers, but we feel a lot of time people forget the power of just one or two people,” he adds. “You could be that person for somebody else. You can be who you are in your everyday community and make an impact.”
In the years ahead, they want to promote education and grow the mentorship program as well as developing community events that bring people together in positive environments. Taylor also dreams of one day starting a charter school.
