Bruce is a counselor at Bel Air High School and former varsity football coach. Chip, a retired Baltimore County Fire Department firefighter, volunteers his time as Fired-Up, a Baltimore Ravens fan character he created based on his profession.
Last year, Chip was inducted into the Professional Football Ultimate Fan Association in Canton, Ohio. In order to be inducted, fans must be goodwill ambassadors at games and volunteer in the community as well.
“Fired-Up is like an alter ego,” says Chip. “It helps open the doors to make a difference.”
As Fired-Up, Chip is a part of the Baltimore Ravens Super Fan group, which includes Capt. Dee-fense. Chip and the group volunteer at various charity events around the state, including the Special Olympics, Boys & Girls Clubs, March of Dimes and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“Pay has nothing to do with it,” says Chip. “Gratitude comes from the heart. I never knew the way my dad felt, now I do.”
Q & A: Bruce Riley
Age: 49
Occupation:
School counselor at Bel Air High School
Favorite charity:
The Charlie Riley Community Service Scholarship
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
“Paul from the Bible.”
Q & A: Chip Riley
Age: 52
Occupation:
Retired Baltimore County Fire Department
Favorite charity:
The Charlie Riley Community Service Scholarship
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
“Easy, Jesus Christ.”
Carol Taylor
Pastor and founder of word of Faith International Outreach
By L’oreal Thompson
For Pastor Carol Taylor, empowerment is not just a word–it’s a way of life, which is why the 48-year-old Aberdeen resident has dedicated her life to empowering others through her ministry and volunteer work.
“My vision statement is ‘empowering others while staying empowered,’ ” she says.
Taylor’s passion for empowerment has inspired her to create her own nonprofit–Just Living Empowerment Ministries. The ministry is based on her “Just Living Teleconference,” which she founded in 2010.
“The Just Living Teleconference started off for women, but this nonprofit is for everybody,” says Taylor. “God created abundant life and so many of us don’t pursue being the best we can be. Empowerment is authority given to take power over our own life and live it to the fullest.”
Earlier this year, Taylor began broadcasting her teleconferences live on the Harford Cable Network. “Just Living,” which airs Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m., highlights methods and organizations that will help viewers live an empowered life.
“The subject matter is very diverse,” she says. “I interview community leaders, and we talk about a wide range of topics from church matters to foster care, youth leadership and marriage enrichment.”
An ordained evangelist, Taylor has worked with youth and adults for more than 20 years. She founded Word of Faith International Outreach in Aberdeen with her husband, Pastor Melvin Taylor, 13 years ago. Before that, she had started an afterschool program at the couple’s previous church, Zion Temple in Havre de Grace.
“Raising five children was a challenge in itself,” she says. “I founded the afterschool program as a positive place for them to go and learn about life skills and spirituality.”
Taylor continued the program, Cares Club, at her current church. The club, which serves children ages 8 through 18, meets on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. During that time, the children eat dinner, attend Bible study and participate in various activities, such as cooking, sewing, photography and computer/science technology.
In addition to founding Cares Club, Taylor is also the director of FACE-IT (Faith Activated Community Empowering Intervention Training), which is a faith-based coalition providing education, reducing risks, uniting congregations and combating substance abuse.
“I enjoy working with the youth,” she says. “Those organizations are most near to my heart because of the ability to see change take place. You see the transformation happen right before your eyes.”
As the chairperson for the Harford County Youth Commission, Taylor works with county officials to better serve the youth population. Every year, the commission sponsors a “youth in government” week, where students are encouraged to participate in local government through meetings and other activities.
“The biggest thing I want to get across to young people is that they have a voice and they have power,” she says. “They need to learn to exercise it in a positive way.”
Additionally, the pastor serves on the Harford County Cancer and Tobacco Coalition and board of directors for Harford Family House, which serves homeless families. She was also a chaplain for the Harford County Detention Center.
“I enjoy street evangelism,” she says. “I have a way with young people that I’m able to reach ones nobody wants to fool with.”
Perhaps most importantly, Taylor stresses the need for balance in such a fast-paced, high-tech world, especially for women who are often juggling multiple roles as wives, moms and businesswomen.
“Finding a balance and being organized are really important,” she says. “That means taking mental health days when they’re needed.”
Q & A: Carol Taylor
Age: 48
Occupation:
Pastor
Favorite charity: Partnerships in Christ International
If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be?
“Jesus and Paul. Harriet Tubman would be pretty neat, too.”
