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About Us
We help clients identify and unlock their potential by understanding their PURPOSE. We offer a full range of services customized to meet the diverse demands of a rapidly changing world. Successful individuals and organizations must fully understand their internal strengths and ability to overcome obstacles as they respond with passion and agility to issues and create positive change and achieve exceptional results! We provide guidance as You take POSITIVE STEPS. With a vast array of service offerings such as: Motivational Speaking DEI & Racial Equity Strategies Training Facilitation Mental Health Parent/Caregiver Advocacy Leadership Coaching Speaker Bureau of "Many Colors & Abilities" Staff Development Conference and Event Management Fiscal/Accounting Services Organization Capacity Building Individualized tailored projects Our Vision A belief that “organizational, professional, personal and spiritual development is a lifelong process with no ending point”. Our Mission Positive Steps guides you to PURPOSE by creating trans-formative solutions for individuals and organizations in support of their personal and organizational goals. |
For more than twenty years, Sara and her son Darwin have helped inspire, coach, influence and empower thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations to take POSITIVE STEPS!
Sara I. (Chipembere) Taylor
Sara I. Taylor is the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Positive Steps and Managing Director of Taylor-Jones Event Management Services. In addition, Sara is employed full time as a Training Specialist and Community Liaison in Western New York where she focuses on Social Justices and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Sara’s 20+ year career, across multiple industries, range from direct-care front-line social worker to senior-level administrator. Sara has extensive experience providing leadership development training and capacity building services to organizations as well as managing professional conferences throughout North America. Over the last three years, Sara has become a well-respected leader and voice promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across systems while reminding organizational leaders that “Everyone has a role”. In 2019 Sara was humbled to be recognized with two prestigious community awards: Athena Finalist and Gloria Avis Legacy Award.
A native of western Pennsylvania, Sara became a mother at the age of 16, while already living in a household stricken by poverty. Her entire career has focused on empowering and motivating vulnerable populations living in poverty and women of color who often face barriers related to career advancement. Sara's influence and credibility are also seen in her work as a community leader working on boards, with policy makers, philanthropist and other stakeholders who are collectively dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable populations and advancing Racial Equity strategies. Sara is the founder and visionary of the Upstate, NY Women of Color summit and in 2020 Sara became a strong voice for parents of color struggling to navigate the mental health systems and founded Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) PEEEEEEK Parent Mental Health project in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Utica.
Sara obtained her Master’s Degree in Human Service Administration from St. John Fisher College, Rochester NY and has received various certificates in leadership development. Sara has also completed several ministry and theology training courses and holds ministerial licenses and has received extensive training in conference and meeting planning. Sara has one biological son, Darwin, daughter in law, Dr. Shalon and two beautiful grandchildren Jaxon and Zara. In 2009 Sara became the caregiver of her great niece Ariana and has since been raising her as her own.
Darwin C. Jones
Darwin C. Jones is a seasoned CPA with Master's Degree in Taxation. He has extensive experience in Nonprofit fiscal management, Merge and Acquisition and Fiscal controls. Darwin spent more than 10 years on Wall Street and currently teaches accounting and tax compliance at Universities in New York and New Jersey. Darwin has also served as interim chief financial officer for various nonprofit organizations in addition to offering an array of accounting services and facilitating training for both management teams and board of directors. Darwin is married to Dr. Shalon Jones who is a Pharmacist specializing in research and health disparities. Together they have two small children, Jaxon and Zara and believe that their faith will guide them to their God given Destiny.
Sara I. Taylor is the Founding President and Chief Executive Officer of Positive Steps and Managing Director of Taylor-Jones Event Management Services. In addition, Sara is employed full time as a Training Specialist and Community Liaison in Western New York where she focuses on Social Justices and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Sara’s 20+ year career, across multiple industries, range from direct-care front-line social worker to senior-level administrator. Sara has extensive experience providing leadership development training and capacity building services to organizations as well as managing professional conferences throughout North America. Over the last three years, Sara has become a well-respected leader and voice promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across systems while reminding organizational leaders that “Everyone has a role”. In 2019 Sara was humbled to be recognized with two prestigious community awards: Athena Finalist and Gloria Avis Legacy Award.
A native of western Pennsylvania, Sara became a mother at the age of 16, while already living in a household stricken by poverty. Her entire career has focused on empowering and motivating vulnerable populations living in poverty and women of color who often face barriers related to career advancement. Sara's influence and credibility are also seen in her work as a community leader working on boards, with policy makers, philanthropist and other stakeholders who are collectively dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable populations and advancing Racial Equity strategies. Sara is the founder and visionary of the Upstate, NY Women of Color summit and in 2020 Sara became a strong voice for parents of color struggling to navigate the mental health systems and founded Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) PEEEEEEK Parent Mental Health project in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Utica.
Sara obtained her Master’s Degree in Human Service Administration from St. John Fisher College, Rochester NY and has received various certificates in leadership development. Sara has also completed several ministry and theology training courses and holds ministerial licenses and has received extensive training in conference and meeting planning. Sara has one biological son, Darwin, daughter in law, Dr. Shalon and two beautiful grandchildren Jaxon and Zara. In 2009 Sara became the caregiver of her great niece Ariana and has since been raising her as her own.
Darwin C. Jones
Darwin C. Jones is a seasoned CPA with Master's Degree in Taxation. He has extensive experience in Nonprofit fiscal management, Merge and Acquisition and Fiscal controls. Darwin spent more than 10 years on Wall Street and currently teaches accounting and tax compliance at Universities in New York and New Jersey. Darwin has also served as interim chief financial officer for various nonprofit organizations in addition to offering an array of accounting services and facilitating training for both management teams and board of directors. Darwin is married to Dr. Shalon Jones who is a Pharmacist specializing in research and health disparities. Together they have two small children, Jaxon and Zara and believe that their faith will guide them to their God given Destiny.