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Hibbett Celebrates Black History Month With Clifford Taylor

Lifestyle

Celebrating Black Excellence: The Journey of Clifford Taylor IV

Feb 1, 2026

February isn’t just a month—it’s a movement. For Emmy-winning producer and HBCU alum Omari Collins, Black History Month isn’t a calendar event, but a mirror. “It forces me to check whether my work is adding to the legacy or just benefiting from it,” he shares. His father’s words echo in every project he touches: “If you stand on shoulders, you better build something higher.” That generational wisdom is Omari’s north star—a reminder to approach each day not just with visibility, but with intention, honesty, and impact.

Clifford Taylor posing squatting down

He grew up steeped in the stories of Black excellence—told not only through books and films, but most powerfully through the words and actions of his own family. “The older I get, the more Black History Month means to me,” Clifford explains. “Being Black is an honor because we come from greatness.”


Clifford Taylor with Cam Newton

Role models played a big part in helping Clifford see what was possible. One pivotal moment came as a young fan in the stands at a University of Florida football game, watching a player named Cam Newton run over a Tennessee defender. Years later, that same spark reignited when Newton, now a star, became the face of Clifford’s beloved Carolina Panthers.


Clifford Taylor at UF celebration

But Clifford’s own path was never just about football. When he walked onto the team at the University of Florida, he quickly realized the reality: to some, players were there to entertain, not to be seen as full people. The events of 2020 and the stories of his fellow Black student-athletes further opened his eyes. At the time, Clifford joined the Black Student Athlete Council, where he found community through shared experiences with fellow Black students. “Learn[ing] about my brothers and sisters’ stories, upbringings, and everything taught me how special and powerful it is to be a black man.”



Through football, Clifford found an even larger community and a platform for his future. It taught him the value of hard work, of going above and beyond, of always being hungry to learn more. “Doing just enough is never enough,” he says. That mindset carried him from a walk-on at Florida to jobs with the Los Angeles Rams and the NBA, and eventually to launching his own company, The Clifford Show. “The game of football has done so much for me in such a short period of time; I can’t give the game enough thank you’s.” Now, the former athlete creates content around both his loves: football AND basketball. “…That’s everything to me.”

Clifford Taylor in sunglasses and Jordan apparel

Yet, life after football brought its own challenges. Clifford moved across the country, navigated career upheaval, and faced mental health struggles that tested him deeply. His mental health hit an all-time low from early 2021 to 2023.  Changes in his personal life, career, and general struggles left Clifford feeling as if he “was looking death in the face.” But after making the choice to leave his position with the LA Rams, the NBA gave him a lifeline, which he used as motivation to rebound from every setback to that point.


Even in the lowest moments—facing legal threats, leaving a dream job—Clifford found new strength in his purpose as a creator. “I [would] tell myself that as low as I felt during that time, as long as I’m breathing and creating, that feeling of driving to my own funeral and looking death in the face, I’ll never have that feeling ever again.”

Clifford Taylor in sunglasses and Jordan apparel

Through it all, Clifford never lost sight of the bigger picture. Authenticity—online and off—means representing not just himself, but also his family, city, and culture. His parents made sure he understood their history and what it means to carry that forward. As a kid, Clifford admits he didn’t always get it. Now, he acknowledges that those lessons made him who he is. “I’m so thankful for the parents I have because now and forever I only know how to be myself and hopefully a proud representation of black culture and excellence.”


Community remains his anchor. Though he lives in Florida now, Clifford’s heart belongs to Charlotte, North Carolina. As a kid struggling to fit in, he never imagined the city would embrace him as it has today. “The amount of people that told me to keep making the city proud or to keep putting on for the city – moments like that make the work I do so worth it. It honestly sometimes brings me to tears… I was born and raised in North Carolina, and no matter where life takes me, my home will forever be Charlotte, North Carolina.”

Clifford Taylor with his YouTube plaque

Today, Clifford’s definition of success is less about accolades and more about impact. It’s about having the discipline to care for himself and his family and to build a legacy for generations to come. His dream is simple: to create opportunities for his future kids, and their kids, and their kids after that. “I still have a long way to go and so much left in the tank creatively, and so I just continue to let go, let God, and let everything play out the way it’s supposed to while continuing to work hard every day.”


To young Black men chasing their dreams, Clifford’s advice rings clear: "You are powerful. You are a gift from God…. Hustle every day like your life depends on it, and remember to stay humble throughout the journey… Set the tone for generations to come and remind everyone that you come from greatness.”

As Hibbett celebrates Black History Month, Omari Collins reminds us that legacy is living, leadership is a responsibility, and the next chapter is always being written. Together, we keep building something higher.

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