Ephren Taylor - Get PAID @ Any Age

The Democrats Know What Time It Is --- DNC Here I Come

Oh snap, Obama's campaign phoned into the office last week and asked would I participate in one of the multitude of activities at this years Democratic National Convention.  Needless to say I accepted and I am rolling out to Denver next week to speak my peace.  All I can say is whether I get invited back next year is irrelevant, when the microphone comes my way, I got to represent the people and let the voices of those I serve everyday in the community, our churches, schools, homes, wall street, and even the streets in the hood by letting their voice be heard.

I don't know about you, but I am suffering from political race fatigue and I could care less about a promise here and there.  I am of the internet generation and quite honestly I have the patience of a Google.com search.  It's time for action, and if the democrats, or even the republicans ain't trying to make it happen, then my fellow citizens it's time to take matters into our own hands.

I am not talking about doing something crazy, ok maybe I am! Maybe it's time that American citizens come together and rise up and start making positive changes in their community with planned action.  Maybe the churches should stop preaching, and start serving.  Maybe teachers should stop regugitating useless facts, and teach while making it relevant to the real world.  Just maybe, a group of citizens and private institutions could get together and start rebuilding neighborhoods without tax money (City Capital Does It Now), maybe I could go out and start a business and give an ex-offender a second or third chance towards a better life, and maybe he could provide for his family and feel like a man again. 

Just maybe I could get thousands of people together to take up their chicken grease, recycle it into bio-diesel and let the oil companies, know the power of Popeyes and church's chicken.  Just maybe, but then again getting something done, would be un-politician.  Maybe that is why I am not one, and just a community revolutionary trying to make a change.

So if by any chance you see me on TV at the Democratic Convention, don't be surprised by anything said.  I hope I am not one of the few people who may actually make some sense.

Pray the people hear the people who matter, the ones who vote!

PS: The revolution will not be televised, it will be broacasted on YouTube.com

==== Press Info on the Event ===
Ephren W. Taylor II, CEO of City Capital Corporation, has accepted an invitation from the Democratic National Committee to speak at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. He will deliver to the delegates his message of cooperative economics and socially conscious corporate investing.

"It is an honor to be selected to participate and speak to this historic political convention," Taylor said upon receiving the invitation. "I look forward to focusing attention on the issues facing urban communities and sharing the ways in which corporate America, government entities and non-profits can work together to foster economic empowerment."

City Capital Corporation is a publicly traded company engaged in socially conscious investing. In 2007 Taylor was named one of the "Ten People Making a Global Difference," along with Barack Obama, Al Gore, Oprah Winfrey and six other leaders (Michigan Chronicle, December 2007). He is also author of the best-selling book, "Creating Success from the Inside Out" (Wiley, 2008). Convention delegates wishing to hear Taylor speak may attend the Black Caucus Young Leaders Summit on Monday, Aug. 25 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Theater in the Denver Convention Center.

Anyone Wanna Be A Millionaire? Ephren is looking for some students to teach...

I had the urge to post a thought and a question.  For some reason I have the urge to grab a few mentees and teach them what I know, and see if they can make a million dollar$ under my guidance. 

Somehow I need to find the time, but I have this burning desire to put someone in the game.  It's time for this student, to become the teacher. 

If I did go down this road, would anyone be interested in going through some grueling mentoring, coaching, tutoring in the art of deal making?

Anyone?

Mi-SS-i-SS-PP-i Here I come! - Back Home

It's not often I get to go back home to Mississippi (man thats a tricky word to spell), but tomorrow I am off to Mississippi (ok im tired of typing it already) Valley to speak to their staff and administration about taking education to the next level.  For many of you that know me, you know that traditional education and Ephren don't get along too well, and my message on Monday afternoon to the staff will be to bring the "Real World" into education.  If our youth are going to have any chance to compete and rise above the conditioning of negative environments our educational institutions will have to break out of the business of enslaving minds to conventional wisdom.

PS:  This weekend at Tavis Smiley's event people made fun of me cause I was from Mississippi.  It's amazing how people will judge you, just because of where you are from, and not so much where you are headed! 

Headed To Los Angeles, CA For Tavis Smiley's Leadership Institute

Another 5 am day lays ahead for me.  Who would have though I would start a company to NOT wake up before 9 am, and now it seems everyday starts off getting up before the Sun!  Tomorrow is more of the same, but this time I have some pep in my step  to the airport as  Mr. Tavis Smiley has me speaking at his  student leadership conference at UCLA.  This should be an interesting conference and look forward to making an impact on the 300+ students there who get selected into the institute every year.

If your in the LA area, definately check out this event.  You can find out more here ...

Guess I better go to bed since my driver will be here at 5:15 AM! It should be a sin to be up so early.  Who came up with the crazy phrase the early bird gets the worm anyway.  I don't even like worms anyway!

HERE IS THE PRESS RELEASE ON IT

Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) - More than 200 youth representing 28 states will join Tavis Smiley, Dr. Cornel West, Hill Harper and Lalah Hathaway for five days of leadership training, community service, youth advocacy, education and engagement at the Tavis Smiley Foundation's 2008 Leadership Institute.

The annual conference themed, THINK, will be held Aug. 14-18 on the campus of the University of Los Angeles -- California (UCLA). The youth delegates, ages 13-18, were selected based on their academic achievement, demonstrated and potential leadership, an essay and letter of recommendation. A key of component of the Institute is the foundation's 13-member National Youth Advisory Council. These teen alumni help design and run the Institute.

"We have selected some of the best and brightest young leaders that America has to offer and during the five days of the conference we will challenge them to THINK about the world around them and how they can become the next generation of leaders," said Smiley.

The purpose of the Leadership Institute is to train young people for leadership through action-oriented workshops, plenary sessions and interactive activities. The delegates selected already have accumulated more than 8,000 volunteer service hours in their schools and communities.

Smiley will moderate a teen town hall meeting on Friday, August 15 on the topic of juvenile justice. Panelists will include Princeton University professors Dr. Cornel West and Eddie Glaude as well as Connie Rice of The Advancement project. Youth delegates Brianna Holmes of Culver City, CA; Tyler Jackson of Baltimore, MD; and Phylicia Lofton of Moreno Valley, CA were selected to be part of the panel.

Music superstar Lalah Hathaway will participate in a special session for young women aimed at increasing their awareness about breast cancer and self-esteem. Hathaway is an ambassador for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's Campaign, Circle of Promise, whose mission is to educate African American women about early detection of breast cancer in their own circle of friends.

Actor and best-selling author Hill Harper will engage the young women in a discussion on his latest book that explores issues facing young women. Harper will share excerpts from Letters to a Young Sister: DeFine Your Destiny.

Through workshops, panel discussions and interactive activities, the delegates will learn to assess their strengths and weaknesses, review models of leadership, set goals, discuss and debate issues and create action plans to address issues important to youth.

Entrepreneurs Myles Kovacs, founder of DUBs Magazine, Ephren Taylor, the 25-year-old chief executive office of City Capital, 17-year-old Jasmine Lawrence, the founder of EDEN Body Works and Los Angeles business owner Daniel Griffin will participate in a panel discussion on how to make dreams a reality.

During the conference the delegates will participate in a beach clean up in partnership with Heal the Bay in an effort to protect the environment. Also, the foundation's National Youth Advisory Council is leading an effort to collect 1,000 books to rebuild the library of the Pass Road Elementary School in Gulfport, MS. The library suffered tremendous damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina.


SCHEDULE OF KEY EVENTS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 15

3 PM -- Young entrepreneurs panel featuring Ephren Taylor, Myles Kovacs, Daniel Griffin and Jasmine Lawrence - DeNeve Plaza

7 PM -- Teen Town Hall Meeting Moderated by Tavis Smiley - DeNeve Plaza
Panelists: Dr. Cornel West, Eddie Glaude, Princeton University professor; Connie Rice, Tyler Jackson, Brianna Holmes

SATURDAY, AUGUST 16

9 AM -- What I Know for Sure Lecture and Book Signing w/ Tavis Smiley - DeNeve Plaza

10 AM -- Leadership & Service -- Cornel West - DeNeve Plaza

1 PM -- The Great Debate -- Student teams participate in a debate - DeNeve Plaza

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17

9 AM -- Girl Power: Messages for Young Sisters with Lalah Hathaway

10:45 AM -- Letters to a Young Sister: DeFINE Your Destiny with Hill Harper

1:30 PM -- Community Service Beach Clean Up Project at Santa Monica Beach 1550 Pacific Coast Highway

7 PM -- Closing Banquet & Awards Ceremony - Grand Horizons Ballroom


EDITORS NOTE: Media should report to the first floor lobby of the DeNeve Plaza Building for credentials and check-in. The address is 351 Charles E. Young Drive West, Los Angeles, CA 90024


About the Tavis Smiley Foundation
The Tavis Smiley Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1999 by Tavis Smiley to enlighten, encourage, and empower youth by providing leadership skills that will promote and enhance the quality of life for their lives, their community and the world. Since its inception, more than 6,000 youth have participated in the foundation's leadership workshops and conferences. The foundation is based in Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.youthtoleaders.org


CONTACT:
Vonda Paige
267-879-1450
vpaige@tavistalks.com

Is Ephren Married?

This will probably be one of the shortest posts I ever write, but though it should be something to be posted.  Over the course of the last few months it has dawned on me, that the public isn't really sure of my relationship status, and the backbone of what makes Ephren tick.  This was a major wakeup call that maybe  I didn't talk about my family enough, then I pondered about the security issues of letting people know the intimate details about my family.

With that being said I did want to take the time for all the facebook, myspace, youtube, and any other social network friend sites I am on, to answer a common question.  The question of whether Ephren Taylor is married or not?

The truth is that I am happily married for over 5 years to Mrs. MeShelle Taylor, and I have two children.  So yes I am married, and off the market, and have a family as well. 

I am beginning to realize now that life gets crazy after you make national TV.  I never had so much attention in my life.  I mean for a guy that could never get a girls phone number, its amazing how many just show up in the email box now, with photos. This is a new world.  I'm kinda old school, and think the guy should ask for the number or date.  However it is 2008, and I think I saw a statistic out that 70% of African American women are single.

The relevance is that for any brother who has no kids, no criminal record, a career/company, and stable financial is "Filet Mignon" on the dating market right now. Unfortunately the supply is short and demand is so high, that some people have went to some interesting lengths to find a potential mate.  However I wanted to take the time to let the world know this steak, was ordered by a lovely lady 5 years ago.  She saw the potential of a nerd, whose shoes were tied to tight.  Now look at me!

Sorry ladies Ephren is off the market.  I do have two younger brothers though and they aren't married :) !

4 Years Till 30 :: Today I Turned 26

Today (July 17, 2008) marked a special day for me, as I crossed the threshold over 25 and into good ole 26!  Now that I am over the cool quarter century milestone of 25, the countdown begins as I march on down towards 30.  I have 4 years left to I hit that magic number, that has sent many into an early mid life crisis.  Right now however I am having one myself, and having a blast determining what to do next with my life.  It will be an interesting journey over the next few years.  Many have sent their well wishings, and happy birthdays which I hold dearly.  It is amazing how many people actually take the time to wish me happy birthday.  It is one of those things that touches deep down, and almost makes a man cry.

If you are wondering what I did for my B-Day, I actually spent time with my wife, kids, and family.  Some much needed downtime from the road and the day to day grind of being a jet setting entrepreneur.  Of course I bought myself a few items, but was more focused on how I could still be a bigger blessings to others.  This is one of my life missions of sowing seeds into others lives, so that they can reap a greater harvest.  It is one of the best gifts anyone can give themselves, and as we all continue down life's journey I pray we all learn that lesson.

For The Lord,

Ephren W. Taylor, II one year older and wiser (maybe just a little crazier).

I'm Montel Williams Co-Host Today :: Teen Millionaires Episode

Today (July 9, 2008) airs a special episode for Montel Williams "Living Well" series, where I was tapped to be his co-host, offering advice to teens across the country on what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur.  It was an interesting episode as most of the audience was high school students, and they have some great questions for myself and Montel.  If you have chance check it out, also you can preview the show here at http://www.montelshow.com/show/today/wednesday/ .

It's amazing how much we at have accomplished the year, not only at the company, but also in individual capacities.  We have been moving at breakneck speeds lately, and to be honest I forgot I was appearing on National TV today!  Just another sign that when you are working on something that changes lives, things that would normally matter to others aren't so important any more.  Hopefully the work we do at City Capital will continue to changes lives for the better.

Tune in if you can!

I Survived! Last Weekend I Was Grilled Alive!

I know the title may seem a little out there of this particular post, but over Memorial Day weekend I was literally grilled.  Well, it at least felt like it as I was a guest author for a prominent book club in New Jersey called the Kitabu Reading & Discussion Group. 

To be honest as a first time author, this was my very first book club face to face sitdown. Unfortunately I went in thinking it was going to be like the Oprah book club type deal of same o, same o questions everyone always asks me.  How did you do this, or that, and why so young, BUT this time it was different very very different.

When I first walked into the home of one of the members, I was excited as I smelled BBQ!  The backyard was nicely arranged just like a home and garden magazine shoot.  I was like wow this is going to be great.  Unfortunately it got a little chilly, and we all had to move inside and then thats when the memorial day girllout (Shootout), and fireworks began.

As the ladies poured into the home, conversations begin to pickup and then we were all called to order to start the discussion.  At that moment sitting in the circle with about 9 very opionated looking sistas I knew I was in trouble.  The reason being was that two of them looked at me, with the look only a married brother, or son knows.  The "EYE", or the uh huh look.  Sure enough my insticts were right as the barrage of questions were not the normal ones I have been accustomed to for so long, but ones with deep though needed.

The first questions started out with some of the ladies having a problem with the first chapter of my book dealing with the differences in single family households, versus "FUNCTIONAL" married households and how those children can have an advantage from a stable home life.  Well some people didn't like the way it read and for the next 45 minutes, I was in a defensive mode of defending my book and why I wrote it so bluntly.  After I presented my case (where was Johnny Cochran when you need him!), I finally seemed to win them over and create an understanding of why, and the peoples life circumstances I was drawing from to come to those conclusions.  As an author we draw from many sources of life circumstances that play into our writings.

After I was found innocent in my trial, we had an excellent discussion on politics, and the state of Black America and solutions for our communities.  This discussion lasted a few hours.  I arrived at 7pm and left at midnight.  I would have to say in my short 25 years on this earth, the discussion I had with these ladies was one of the most honest, candid, challenging, engaging discussions I have ever had!  I loved every minute of it from being on the grill to being the griller myself!

The moral of the story is that you may intend one thing when your write something, but these days anything is open to interpretation.  This was one of those discussions I wished we have gotten on tape, but maybe next time.  Yes, for sure next time, especially since my next book is on failure and one of the chapters will be on communication and the power of it. 

For those of you out there, looking to expand your horizons and expose yourself to ideas that normally aren't circulated in mainstream society then I highly suggest joining a book club like Kitabu.  Simply amazing.

To the young seasoned ladies of Kitabu, thank you for such a great experience.  I think I had added on a few years of wisdom by sitting in your presence for only a few hours.   Your group is a light that sheds light on a future that many have lost hope for, but you have stoked my fire even more to change the world one reader at a time!

About Kitabu

The Kitabu Reading & Discussion Group was established in 1996. Meeting in southern New Jersey, we are predominately a group of African-American women (men are definitely welcomed - different perspectives are always appreciated!) who discuss literary works and films created by African Americans, blacks, colored, Negroes, Africans...the black diaspora.

http://kitabureadinggroup.com/

Ephren Taylor Entrepreneurial Academy at Cheyney University now accepting applications for summer 2008

Applications are now being accepted for the Ephren Taylor Entrepreneurial Academy's (ETEA) second annual Entrepreneurship Learning Camp. The leadership and business training program is in collaboration with Cheyney University, the nation's oldest Historically Black College or University (HBCU) located in Pennsylvania, and will be held on Cheyney's campus from July 13-18. Students entering grades 10 thru 12 are eligible to attend. Housing, meals and program materials are free to students selected to attend; enrollment is limited to 25 students. The application deadline to register for the camp is June 6.

The Learning Camp provides an interactive curriculum about entrepreneurship during an intense six-day training period that educates students on the process of starting and operating a business. Students will learn about the impact small businesses have on the global economy, and how entrepreneurship is a viable and rewarding career choice. Facilitators will include Cheyney University faculty, popular media personalities, and successful business owners. Ultimately, students will leave the camp with the tools necessary to launch their journey toward entrepreneurship.

"The Entrepreneurship Learning Camp is a great opportunity for young people to acquire the necessary skills to become successful business owners and community leaders," Taylor said. "I look forward to being a part of developing their visions and dreams, and teaching them not only about entrepreneurship, but also the significance of working to serve their community and uplift others."

Taylor, 25, is a self-made millionaire and the youngest African American CEO of any publicly traded company. Author of the newly released book, Creating Success from the Inside Out (www.CreatetheSuccess.com), Taylor and his company are engaged in leveraging investments, holdings and other assets, building value for investors and shareholders, and creating positive change and self-sufficiency for communities.

For more information about the Entrepreneurship Learning Academy, or to download an application, visit www.cheyney.edu/documents/pdf/entcampapp.pdf

Why Detroit and Cleveland are great markets for Real Estate Investing

Over a year ago I was getting ridiculed for saying Detroit, MI and Cleveland, OH were the next great real estate markets.  Everyone looked at me like I was absolutely crazy, and especially since I was basing some of my City Capital turnaround on two depressed markets.  I even debated on Fox News live with Neil Cavuto of why these markets were ones to watch. 

Funny how things come to pass!  Last month Money magazine came out with a list of the top 10 markets to invest in now, and what two markets were on that list?  Cleveland and Detroit!

As an investor you have to be able to spot trends when others can't see them, as well avoid at all costs the "Herd Mentality" of doing what everyone else is doing.  There is a reason most of the wealth is controlled by a few entities, obviously cause they don't do what everyone else does.  So why do we as investors do what everyone else does, despite racking up loss after loss.  With many of the people I have asked the question to many give reasons with no logic whatsoever.

I believe real estate is an investment and should be treated as such!  Find the opportunities where everyone else isn't looking, or scared to look then capitalize on it.  Right now in Detroit we have a waiting list for our units, as well in Cleveland.  These two markets you will see presenting opportunity after opportunity.  Now am I advocating blind investment by rushing in? Of course not, however there is money in pain!  When people are feeling pain money is being made.  When housing collaspes look at the worst markets for the easiest profits, and best buying opportunities.  It's a formula that has worked for years, and we see it being played out day after day. 

What stops you from moving on them? 

Are you a herder or part of the herd?  I don't know about you but I prefer doing the grilling of the steak, than being the one grilled myself!

See it, plan it, then act on it.  Otherwise its just a plan or dream that won't put any money in your pocket. 

PS:  The same strategy applies to other industries as well.  For instance fuel, oil, food, health care, and financial are all painful places for the American People. What investment opportunity, or business opportunity is within your grasp that you are avoiding  because the herd has moved on?  This may be the next big opportunity for you.  The grass may be greener possibly in other pastures, but if you take the time to water your own grass you can find opportunities way before the rest of the herd arrives!

For More Info

Buy Real Estate With No Money Down :: www.cashfreeinvesting.com
Make Your IRA / 401K Double It's Return :: www.IraCashFlow.com