Elder Darryl M. Taliaferro, a native of Gary, Indiana, was born to Deacon Clarence Taliaferro and the late Barbara Taliaferro.
The fourth child of five, He received the call to preach the gospel in 1997 and was ordained in 1999 at the Zion Missionary Baptist Church of East Chicago, Indiana under the leadership of Reverend Dr. J. C. Wade, Jr.
Understanding the need to grow and to develop intellectually, Taliaferro relocated to Nashville, Tennessee to attend American Baptist College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theological Studies. Noted for his scholarly achievements, he was a Dean’s List student and was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, a publication of outstanding students across the United States of America. A “mover and a shaker” on the campus, one of his greatest honors was to serve as senior class president of American Baptist.
While studying at American Baptist, Taliaferro united with Mt. Zion Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Joseph W. Walker, III. As a mentee of the senior pastor, he served in the vineyard—first in the Tape Ministry and later as the overseer of the Mt Zion College Ministry. At the time, the congregation was small but growing. Elder Taliaferro captured the vision and ran with it—drawing in every college student, near and far, to Mt. Zion to hear “what thus said the Lord.” He followed the direction of Bishop Walker and captivated Nashville citizenry on Sunday mornings when chartered buses from neighboring colleges and universities transported students from arteries entering Nashville to MTZ-Jefferson Street and eventually to MTZ-Old Hickory Boulevard to fellowship with nearly 5,000 for praise and worship at the 11:15 a.m. service.
With his galvanizing voice that allures many young adults to pay attention, Taliaferro is much like his father—a man of truth and conviction—tall in stature, kind in heart and serious in countenance.
A faithful servant to his pastor and church, Elder Taliaferro serves as the Executive Pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Bishop Walker appointed Elder Taliaferro to this post in 2011. Taliaferro oversees the daily operations, administrative and ministry affairs of the church with more than 29,000 members. On a daily basis, it is not uncommon to expect his 24-hour schedule to include preparation for Bishop Walker’s necessities, administrative musts, prayer calls, Bible studies, funeral arrangements, community outreach and midnight hospital visits.
An active member of the Nashville community, he is affiliated with various community organizations, including the:
- Nashville Junior Chamber of Commerce
- The Church Network
- New Level Community Development Corporation
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Life Member)
- The Executive Pastors Network (Founder)
Also, in 2014, he was honored as one of Nashville’s best and brightest African Americans making significant contributions to the community when he received the Nashville Black 40 Under 40 Award.