Inspiring Conversations with Moreno Taylor, II of MI. Officiant / Taylor MADE Consulting Group, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Moreno Taylor, II

Hi MoReno, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m proudly born and raised in Detroit, MI. I was raised by single mother, aunt, and grandmother. My mother was my strongest influence and continues to be my biggest supporter. She’s extremely hard working and made sure to pass that work ethic down to me. She surrounded me with an amazing village of positive role models that provided direction and guidance through all areas of my life. She made sure to keep me busy outside of school with sports, choir, and work. My mom worked hard to make sure I had access to a good education; when I finally asked her why she told me she wished she had gotten a better education and wanted more for me.

I graduated from Univ. of Detroit Jesuit H.S. in 2001 then Eastern Michigan University in 2005 (BBA) & 2007 (MBA). I’m also a 2011 Fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program (MPLP) through Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR). Graduating during an economic recession provided some challenges for new college graduates and I ended up taking a job working on a campaign for State Representative in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. I knew I was hooked when I knocked on my first door, I wanted to help people, solve problems, and make Michigan a better place to live and raise families.

I’ve spent the last 18 years working in various capacities throughout the government, political and nonprofit sectors. Most recently serving as Field Director for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s reelection campaign and Executive Director of the Fund MI Future coalition. I started Taylor MADE Consulting Group, LLC early in 2024 to address a lack of diversity within many of the spaces I’d encountered. I’m currently contracted with the Michigan Democratic Party serving as State Judicial Program Director working with the campaigns for our State Supreme Court candidates. I also serve on the Detroit Workforce Equity Coalition and am on the Board of the Michigan Political History Society.

I met my wife Lisa at the beginning of 2018 while I was working as Deputy Field Director for OneCampaign for Michigan. She runs her own event planning business, LG Event Design, and I remember we bonded when I tried to explain how I wanted to spend more time with her but I’d be busy and she laughed because she was entering wedding season and I’d be lucky if I got to see her at all. Somehow we found time to get to know one another and we really got close throughout the COVID pandemic embracing the awkward, tough conversations many in new relationships were forced to address. I proposed in May 2021 and we got married on Loving Day, June 12, 2023.

She’s been an incredible partner from the very beginning and I can honestly say inspired me to consider becoming a wedding officiant. The same reason I started my own consulting company was the very reason I became a wedding officiant, the need to address a lack of diversity. I want to make sure that everyone has access to a customized experience so that their special day can be just that, special! Wedding officiant isn’t usually someone you hear about unless someone witnesses a bad experience, and following the pandemic I heard more than a few unfortunate stories. My wife was persistent and eventually I gave in and got my certification, booking my first wedding with one of her clients. I’ve since done three additional weddings with my fifth and sixth scheduled for this fall.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There’s definitely been some struggles along the way.
I’m my own biggest critic, so just the struggle to get out of my own way sometimes was the biggest hurdle.
I’ve always had to deal with the struggles that come with being a black man in spaces where we are traditionally underrepresented, but I’ve found my level of self awareness has helped me to be prepared for many of those challenges.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
MI.Officiant:
I provide a truly customized experience for my clients to make their special day truly one of a kind. I pride myself on making sure all couples (EVERYONE – LGBTQ+, nondenominational, nonreligious, etc.) has access to a quality wedding officiant and that their experience is customized to their liking. Your wedding should reflect you and your partner and the Ceremony to be catered to you. I take the time to get to know you so I can give you that personalized moment. I want people to know you don’t have to just settle for less, you can get the experience you want for a reasonable price.

Taylor MADE Consulting Group, LLC (TMCG, LLC) is led by Principal / Owner MoReno R. Taylor, II. With nearly two decades of experience at the federal, state & local level, TMCG, LLC provides unmatched services personally tailored to each of our clients. TMCG, LLC was established in 2024 to address the lack of diversity within the consulting & advocacy space in Michigan. As a minority owned and operated company we pride ourselves on providing our clients with detailed accurate analysis of the political landscape and different tailored options to achieve their desired result. Understanding the nuances and implications of decision making allows for better control and desired outcomes, which directly impacts public perception. What differentiates TMCG, LLC from others is our firm’s intimate understanding of every perspective in the political landscape. TMCG, LLC Principal / Owner MoReno R. Taylor, II has a proven track record of successfully representing a variety of clients, including local governments, non-profit organizations, and corporations.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t know if I believe in luck honestly, I believe for better or for worse, everything happens for a reason. The hard part is the learning and acceptance of that philosophy, you must learn from every experience good and bad and use that information to make the best decisions you can in the future. I try my best to be prepared every day for any opportunities that may present themselves.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mi_officiant/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moreno.taylor
• Twitter: https://x.com/MI_MADE_Man
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mtaylorii
• Other: https://www.twitch.tv/michigan_made_man

Image Credits
Steven Pham Photography
Justin JMillz Millhouse
Eddie Hundreds
Benjamin_David_Photography
Brian Weitzel