Staff: Emmit Taylor III

Emmit Taylor III is a recent graduate of Idaho State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies. He brings a strong passion for mentorship, education, and relationship-building, shaped by both his professional experience and personal upbringing.

Emmit grew up in Lapwai, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Reservation, where he was deeply immersed in his culture and traditions, including fishing, hunting, gathering, and attending ceremonies. These traditions continue to be an important part of his life today. Growing up on the reservation allowed Emmit to witness both the strengths of community and the challenges many Indigenous families face, including generational trauma and substance abuse. These experiences have reinforced his belief in the powerful role that consistent, positive mentorship can play in a child’s life.

Professionally, Emmit has worked as a Substitute Teacher and as a staff member with the Boys & Girls Club, where he gained hands-on experience supporting youth from diverse backgrounds. Through these roles, he developed strong communication skills, classroom management abilities, and a talent for building meaningful relationships with children of various ages—skills that directly align with the work of a Professional Mentor. Emmit is also a former college basketball player, having spent five years as a student-athlete. Through athletics, he developed discipline, time management, teamwork, and fast decision-making skills, all of which continue to influence his approach to mentoring and leadership.

A member of the Yakama Nation, with deep roots in the Nez Perce community, Emmit brings lived experience, cultural understanding, and a commitment to uplifting Indigenous youth. His background, combined with his experience working with Indigenous children through sports and youth programming, uniquely positions him to serve as a positive role model and advocate for children in Eastern Washington. Emmit is dedicated to supporting children’s holistic development and helping them realize their full potential.