Taylor Toynes

Taylor Toynes is the founder and Executive Director of For Oak Cliff, a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas.13 He started the organization in 2014 with his fourth-grade students at W.W. Bushman Elementary School.4 Toynes grew up in the South Oak Cliff neighborhood and returned there after completing his education to work on overturning systemic oppression in his community.2

Career and Education

• Executive Director at For Oak Cliff since August 20151
• Former 4th Grade Teacher at Dallas Independent School District (2014-2015)1
• Master's Degree in Education from Southern Methodist University (2014-2016)1
• Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Government from the University of North Texas (2008-2012)1

Achievements and Recognition

• Echoing Green Fellow in 20203
• Received awards from the United Nations, NAACP, and Southern Methodist University23
• Joined The Trust for Public Land's National Board of Directors in January 20212

Notable Work

• Organized the inaugural Back To School Festival in 2015, which has grown to serve over 4,000 students and parents each summer4
• Led For Oak Cliff in purchasing a 20,000 sq. ft. building on 10 acres of land, now called the For Oak Cliff Community Campus4
• Featured in a documentary series called "Black CEOs, In Their Own Words" with a film titled "I Am Somebody"5

Taylor Toynes is committed to increasing social mobility and social capital in the South Oak Cliff community through education, advocacy, and community building.3