Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. shared his dreams with the world in hopes that he could make a change in the lives of Blacks everywhere. Kaylah Taylor is living that dream. Taylor, a 19-year-old Miami-Dade College music student, was recently selected in a contest sponsored by Crest to serve as the face of Billboard for a night.
“I was on Billboard.com looking and I saw the contest and decided to enter,” she said. “I sent a photo of myself and I created a slogan that went with my photo — ‘Make Your Smile Worthwhile.’ A few days later a woman from Billboard.com called me and told me that I had won the contest.”
Taylor got the opportunity to fly to New York City and walk the red carpet with popular entertainers including country star Taylor Swift and rap sensation Nicki Minaj. It was the first time Taylor had ever been to New York City.
“When I got off the plane I couldn’t believe that I was there,” she said. “I really didn’t know what was going to happen next. I even got the chance to sing a jingle that I created for Crest. At first I sang for the editor of Billboard’s website. Then I ended up singing the song for about 12 people. I sang the song over and over again.”
While she admits that her journey has been fun she realizes that her dream would not have been possible without the sacrifices of Dr. King.
“I think his dream was all about striving for something better to come for all humankind,” she said. “In the past, Black musicians couldn’t even walk the red carpet with the white stars. They had to go through the back door. For me, just being afforded this opportunity was really big. Coming from Miami they really didn’t understand what life is like here or what my community is like. It was really a big deal to be a part of something like this. It was really a chance of a lifetime — thanks to Dr. King.”
By Randy Grice
rgrice@miamitimesonline.com
Linda Simmons
January 20, 2012 at 11:02 pm
At the Dr. King Parade, I was approached by two white women telling me to sign a petetion to put Rudy Moise name on the ballot for Congressman. I was a bit surprised since he was one of the Haitian candidates that ran against Ms. Wilson and lost last time. Well the lady told me “he has a right to have his name on the ballot” and I was like oh really! Ms. Wilson has been to Haiti a few times and was working them and this is her repayment? I know Moise is a grown man and can do as he likes but something dont “smell right to me about this”. I do not agree with the whole wet foot dry foot or helping to get tps for haitians that did not come here legally and I have always stood on that position but where is the appreciation for what she is trying to do for them. I felt like those ladies eased in there and thought I did not know what was going on. Trying to get Blacks to sign a petition at the Dr. King parade, a ma of dignity while they are trying to get Ms. Wilson thrown out of office.