About
The Voice of the Valley
Charle’s Story
I was born in Charlottesville, Virginia. At the age of five, I lost my mother, father, and grandmother- my mother’s mom- through a tragic and horrific accident. I was blessed that my great uncle, Fred Armstead, flew to Virginia that evening and swooped me up and flew back to Princeton, NJ. Here in this Ivy League community, my great uncle was a pillar of the community amongst all; being a devoted pastor while establishing the first African American Union: The Local Union 50 for Colored People.
At a young age I learned the core values of faith, family, and friends, coupled with respect, integrity, perseverance, and the value of trust with a sense of humor for life. At seventeen years old I joined the United States Navy, facing many challenges while building my life’s testimonies of what can be accomplished through faith, determination, and knowing and following His will for my life. With him passing in my arms, it was time for me to pick up the torch and put into action while being the leader God had intended me to be.
On my website you will see many pictures, one where I give great tribute to Robert James Reed Jr, my uncle, for his leadership and his inspiration to many.
My uncle, a magnificent artist, was the Chairman of Fine Arts at Yale University for many years, with numerous art pieces in galleries around the world, such as Italy, Spain, France, and New York. He was a true trailblazer for young artists to accomplish their dreams in that field; additionally, he was a significant mentor for me to follow through on my own life journeys. To this day, his memories linger with wisdom and enlightenment.
Thank you, Uncle Bob. Rest in Peace.
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Meet The Host
Charles Taylor
Host
While serving in the Navy, Charles traveled the world, getting to know many diverse cultures. This allowed him to appreciate the value of our freedom of speech in the US. Passionate about the Valley, the podcast serves as a way for guests to respectfully share what’s on their minds about their business, their community, and how to thrive in the valley. Charles is the head chef for Marriott Residence Inn in Waynesboro, Virginia. He is passionate about gourmet cooking, fine dining, and travel.
The Voice of the Valley
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A 30-minute weekly podcast to discuss hot topics in the Shenandoah Valley