Building CommuniTAY: Taylor & Maya Mason’s Taco Empire - Part 2

Building CommuniTAY: Taylor & Maya Mason’s Taco Empire - Part 2

In Part 2 of Building CommuniTAY, we go deeper with Taylor and Maya Mason of Taylor's Tacos Chicago as they move from building a beloved brand to scaling a full-fledged business. With over half a million tacos served and operations based out of The Hatchery Chicago, the conversation shifts to growth: expanding capacity, maintaining quality, and preparing for their highly anticipated food truck launch. Taylor and Maya open up about: *  The realities of scaling a food business in Chicago  *  Navigating roles as partners in both life and business  *  Protecting their brand while growing demand  *  What’s next for Taylor’s Tacos  This episode is about evolution — taking something rooted in communiTAY and building it into something that lasts. Because the vision doesn’t stop at great tacos… it’s about legacy. 🌮🔥 About the Big Dig Chicago The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.” Host & Show Info Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor. Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration. Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

Building CommuniTAY: Taylor & Maya Mason’s Taco Empire - Part 1

In this episode of The Big Dig Chicago, we sit down with Taylor and Maya Mason, the couple behind Taylor's Tacos Chicago, a Black- and LGBTQ+-owned brand that has served over half a million tacos across the city. West Side native and Whitney Young High School alum Taylor Mason first discovered street tacos while attending Pepperdine University and brought that LA inspiration back home to Chicago. Maya Mason — a graduate of Chicago Academy for the Arts and Columbia College Chicago — added culinary artistry rooted in a family legacy of food and hospitality. Together, they officially launched Taylor’s Tacos Chicago in 2018. Now operating out of The Hatchery Chicago, they specialize in catering, staffed events, and bringing the parTAY wherever the community gathers — with a food truck debuting in March 2026. This is a story about love, hustle, flavor, and building communiTAY — one taco at a time. About the Big Dig Chicago The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.” Host & Show Info Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor. Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration. Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Floral Fresh: Arranging Joy One Stem at a Time with John Caleb Pendleton" | Part 2

In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils [https://www.planksandpistils.com/]) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry. John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic language of flowers and wood. Through his work, he champions expertise, creativity, self-care, and personal growth—reminding us that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics, but about purpose and comfort. He also speaks candidly about navigating an industry that can be dismissive of men, especially Black men, in roles stereotypically tied to care, softness, and design. His response? Stand firm in your skills, honor your worth, and run your business with clarity and pride. From symbolism to self-knowledge, this episode is a gorgeous exploration of legacy, craft, and the power of knowing and owning who you are. About the Big Dig Chicago The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.” Host & Show Info Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor. Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration. Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "Floral Fresh: Arranging Joy One Stem at a Time with John Caleb Pendleton" | Part 1

In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils [https://www.planksandpistils.com/]) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry. John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic language of flowers and wood. Through his work, he champions expertise, creativity, self-care, and personal growth—reminding us that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics, but about purpose and comfort. He also speaks candidly about navigating an industry that can be dismissive of men, especially Black men, in roles stereotypically tied to care, softness, and design. His response? Stand firm in your skills, honor your worth, and run your business with clarity and pride. From symbolism to self-knowledge, this episode is a gorgeous exploration of legacy, craft, and the power of knowing and owning who you are. About the Big Dig Chicago The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.” Host & Show Info Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor. Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration. Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago

The Big Dig Chicago Presents: "She Got Game: Pressing Start with Ashlyn Sparrow"

In this episode, we hit play with Ashlyn Sparrow—game designer, educator, and Assistant Director of the Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago. A proud transplant to Chicago, Ashlyn shares how a father-daughter hobby sparked a career creating interactive experiences that encourages both game designers and players to engage thoughtfully with the medium. We talk about what makes a game “good,” who the gaming industry is (and isn’t) built for, and why thoughtful design and pure fun don’t have to be at odds. Ashlyn takes us from alternate realities to real-world change—showing how play can be powerful, political, and personal. Press paly. This one’s full of gems. About the Big Dig Chicago The Big Dig is a whimsical journey in discovering unique and extraordinary Black Chicagoans hidden from view who are busy being, doing, and choosing to live outside the box and practicing the personal motto, “I’m not an anomaly, I’m just doing me.” Host & Show Info Hosts: Beuloria Williams & Juelle Daley About the Hosts: Beuloria, a west side Chicago native turned global explorer, launched her media career hosting music shows from alternative rock to jazz at stations like WDGC and WDCB. She's co-hosted an op-ed podcast, led a multicultural Meetup group in Chicago, and brings her passion for culture to life through food, music, and dance. Her career in international trade and food manufacturing has taken her across five continents—blending global insight with local flavor. Juelle hails from the east coast by way of the Caribbean. She is a world traveler, an independent curator, art consultant, writer, filmmaker and educator with a passion for curating visual arts and cultural productions. She is driven to make the Arts available and accessible to everyone who just like her seeks after beauty and the sublime. Juelle is a French-trained urban designer/planner who decamped from Paris to Chicago after seven years. She has over a decade of experience in higher education and arts administration. Instagram: @The_Big_Dig_Chicago