Seraphina Taylor: Driving Change by Turning Pain into Purpose
Seraphina Taylor, a Human Services student at Urban College of Boston, leads by example in her community. She started at Urban College in 2020, driven by a desire to be an example for her family and show her grandchildren that it's never too late to pursue your dreams.
Recently, she participated in the creation of the powerful short documentary, "It Starts With Us," which honors the strength of families turning pain into purpose following gun violence in their communities.
The documentary is a project through We Are Better Together, a local Boston organization started by Ruth Rollins to provide healing, advocacy, and empowerment for families impacted by both sides of gun violence.
Seraphina has volunteered at We Are Better Together for over seven years, working with families who've experienced community violence trauma. She also volunteers with The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, Legacy Lives On, and Mothers for Justice and Equality.
All four of these organizations focus on providing mentorship and support for families while working towards a Massachusetts without community violence.
A champion for human rights and services, Seraphina decided she wanted to bolster her lived experiences with a formal education. "I wanted more than just a training course; I wanted a degree." Her nephew, an Urban College alumnus, now earning his Master's degree, introduced her to the school.
“The professors [at Urban College] are incredibly supportive, empathetic, and thoughtful.” Says Seraphina, who expressed that the flexibility awarded by online courses and the ability to choose her course load pace has kept her motivated toward graduation. “I’m working hard to be able to give back to someone else.”
Urban College's focus on supporting non-traditional students provides the ideal environment for Seraphina to flourish, allowing her to balance her dedicated volunteer work with her academic pursuits.
The Human Services courses at Urban College directly relate to her advocacy work, empowering her to apply lessons learned in the classroom to the field.
“My Conflict & Communication and Restorative Justice courses really helped me to reflect and realize ways to communicate better and be direct without causing more harm. Working with both victims and perpetrators of violence can be complicated, and it was a powerful moment of real life meeting my education.”
These complicated themes are present in "It Starts With Us." The documentary shares five unique stories from people harmed by both sides of community violence - because in order to end the cycle of violence, people need to come together. "Connection is what will make change. We are all victims of this violence and are coming together to turn our pain into purpose."
The documentary was shown at an event hosted by Emerson College last month, and a final cut release date is yet to be announced.
Seraphina is a shining example of Urban College's mission to educate and empower community leaders. In her own words, “I am a victor.” She’s working hard to be a beacon of hope and proof that you can accomplish anything if you strive for it. As she completes her degree she works in the IEP department of a public school, where her Human Services education is coming in handy.
"It goes with me everywhere," she says, "I'm always coming from behind my desk to listen to parents and students, provide information and help them connect to services and support. Sometimes, information can save a life. It's always good to offer help, because eventually everyone needs help."
Interested in earning your Human Services degree?
About Urban College of Boston:
Urban College of Boston is a two-year private nonprofit higher educational institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Online courses are offered in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Urban College opens new pathways to opportunity through individualized, supportive, and multilingual education that prepares a diverse community of learners to pursue career advancement and transform their lives. Their multilingual community and affordable online classes provide a supportive learning environment that guides students every step of the way.