HOMEGirlbyCRM Q&A: Karen Taylor Bass

Karen Answers the HOMEGirlbyCRM Questionnaire

The “PR x Yogi” talks all things Home.

This week my HomeGirl is Karen Taylor Bass.

Karen & I go way back to the days when we were both working at various record labels as music publicists for some of the hottest R&B, Hip Hop & Reggae acts. I always watched and admired Karen’s ways & work on a plethora of acts, especially two of my faves - Jill Scott & D’Angelo. In preparing for this Q&A, I was reminded that we both were publicists for Mariah Carey & Mad Cobra at certain points in both our careers.

I am so thrilled to see how Karen has pivoted from that working girl I knew in NYC, making the magic happen to a Mom, an author, certified yoga instructor & meditation coach. I am still so inspired by Karen’s awesomeness!! 🙌🏽

Read our Q&A below.

What’s New & Good? Hi Chrissy, it is so great to chat with you. I love your pivot and new offering to the masses. Thank you for inviting me to participate. My world has changed since working as an Entertainment Publicist. Now I spend my day presenting in the wellness space, doing webinars on relaxation and Nutrition for corporations, and media training for non-profits. I am a certified Yoga, Meditation Coach with a certificate in Nutrition. My greatest gift is being called mommy. My daughter, Sofia, is 13 years old and Sebastian is 21, and he is my bonus son.

When you think of Home, what do you think of? I think of a place to unwind, release, and let go. Currently, I am in the process of packing, purging, and getting ready to move out of the house I shared with my ex-husband and lived for 19 years. My Home is still a sacred space, but very influx and transitional at present. However, my office space is my favorite space, with tons of sunlight and good vibes.

What Song or music reminds you of Home? The first Broadway play I saw when I immigrated from Jamaica was The Wiz with Stephanie Mills. Stephanie belted out that Song; it made me feel the possibilities of creating a space - filled with magic and love - all the things you want in your Home to share and offer to family and friends. Diana Ross' versions of Home from The Wiz, I think of my grandparent's Home in Jamaica and New York. The Home was alive with love, home-cooking, laughter, and eating together at the dinner table with my cousins nearby. Both songs make me feel happy and hopeful, even as a grown woman today.

What three things must be in & around your Home? My Home is the meet-up place for my friends and children's friends. I love having people in my Home and watching them relax and laugh. My house is a 4-bedroom cape, but you would think it was bigger. Before COVID-19, you would see my neighbors over in the driveway, on the porch, or inside just relaxing on any given night. I love hosting barbecues, game nights, birthdays, and fight parties. I always have leftovers and a bottle of wine; Boom juice that I make for the kids (Guava, passionfruit, and Jamaican strawberry syrup); and candles to level out the energy and mood; paintings from the African and Caribbean diaspora.

What’s the favorite room in your Home & why? The favorite room is the living room. My living room is a good size; the walls are terracotta, making you feel relaxed and warm. The living area is facing the street, therefore lots of sunlight and, I can easily fit ten yoga mats in there for a quick recharge class for family, friends, and mommies. Also, the living area is where we had some excellent inter-generational games of Guesstures and conversations.

What’s your favorite Home-cooked meal? I love eating spicy and flavorful ethnic dishes from the diaspora. As a Caribbean woman that enjoys cooking, my favorite dishes are non-meat dishes, mostly plant-based and dripped in cayenne pepper. My favorite dishes are 100% Jamaican; The classic breakfast dish Ackee (A fruit, but looks like scrambled eggs) and Saltfish (Codfish), Callaloo (spinach-like), green plantains, curried chickpeas, broccoli rabe, and shitake mushrooms. My cheat day would be stir-fry or curried shrimp with bok choy.

What’s your idea of Happiness? After suffering from postpartum depression and anxiety, I take my joy and bliss very seriously. I try to stay in the moment each day, and my happiness is being at peace with myself, walking on the beach, wine tasting, dancing, being loved and giving love, teaching a yoga class, and crossing oceans via an airplane.

What’s your greatest fear? My greatest fear is not living on purpose. I try daily to live as if it is my last day.

What’s been some good old-fashioned Home training you live by? My mother and grandparents would always tell me to treat people with respect. Then along the way, I have added a few of my own; Be loving; be kind; be authentic; be you, live strong, laugh, and smile.

What three people - living or deceased - would you have in your Home for an intimate evening of music, food & fun? My maternal grandmother, Lurlene Garrick, was my best friend and the funniest person I ever met. Angie Pittman worked in the music industry, died young from breast cancer, and Tyler Perry. I think this group would bridge my past, present, and future. I know we would have a blast.