Matumaini “Matu” Taylor is Stars New Executive Director

The Stars Board of Directors and Transition Team are thrilled to announce Stars New Executive Director, Matumaini Taylor, also known as Matu. She is a thoughtful and innovative leader who truly has a heart to serve while successfully maintaining an inclusive and results driven environment focused on promoting advocacy, growth mindset and fostering program development and expansion with an emphasis on student success. Her exceptional skills as a respected trainer, pastor, and speaker have endeared her to students, making her an ideal fit for our organization.

Previously serving as the Director of High School and College Age Outreach at Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood since 2016, Matumaini brings with her an impressive 20-year career in ministry, nonprofit, and public administration. She is an ordained and licensed minister and holds a Master’s of Divinity from King’s College and Seminary and a Certificate of Youth Ministry from Fuller Seminary. Additionally, Matu has served as the Los Angeles DVULI City Coordinator and is a DVULI national trainer. She is currently partnering with Urban Youth Workers Institute supporting faith-based organizations and churches serving urban youth.

Matu has extensive experience and talent in collaboratively innovating programs that prioritize youth, young adult, and community voices. She has an innate attention to detail, a passion to champion others, and an ability to coordinate complex strategies and diverse stakeholders. She possesses a vast understanding of LA County garnered through her involvement with community collaborations and her roles at The United Way and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Matu has had many diverse life experiences such as working at public and private institutions, church and government, historically Black and predominantly White institutions, and a state-level higher education coordinating board. She attended college in the South, and in Los Angeles and was raised in Greater Los Angeles in multicultural environments. She has traveled to various countries and has lived for extended periods of time in diverse regions of the United States. Her experiences in the U.S. and abroad have provided her with unique insight on working with students, parents, and staff from different cultural backgrounds, and a strong commitment to supporting all students and stakeholders regardless of differences that may exist. She enjoys working with community members and finds fulfillment in helping people to reach their goals.

We are profoundly impressed by Matu’s track record, both professionally and personally, for ensuring that all persons are treated with dignity and respect and are given an opportunity to receive a quality and well-rounded access to support services.

Matu is excited to be a part of the Stars community and to join us as we work to prepare students and families for success in the global society.