Crystal E. Taylor, is the Founder, CEO of The Underground Collective, Beats n Bars Festival & Founder/Executive Director of the nonprofit organization, Get Happy, in Durham, NC. A native of Clinton, NC and a North Carolina Central University graduate, she began producing events, showcases, and community events in 2012. All of Crystal’s work caters to the protections, support and uplifting of African-American music culture, arts and humanities for community needs in its entirety to support the liberation of people. Crystal is an experienced executive producer of an ongoing Duke School of Nursing series of ethno-dramas and productions made to help educate communities on health disparities plaguing communities of color. Crystal is a 4th generation farmer, and co-founder of The Black Farmers Market & Black August in the Park. Currently, she leads Get Happy, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to restore the quality of life for people of color through health and wellness, innovative education and community driven engagement.
Recently, Taylor received the distinguished honor of being a 2023 40 under 40 recipient from North Carolina Central University and Triangle Business Journal’s 2024 Woman in Business Award and named as one of Durham, NC’s top influencers for community and cultural events works. Lastly, She is the proud mother of a beautiful son, Mansa(6).