March 27, 2026, 5:04 a.m. ET
Two Taunton women were honored at the Massachusetts State House for positive contributions they have made to the local community.
“Black Excellence on the Hill,” hosted by the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, is an annual event that commemorates “leaders and trailblazers who are moving the needle forward in cities and towns across the commonwealth,” according to its website.
Recipients of awards at Black Excellence on the Hill, held on Feb. 27, were nominated by elected officials representing districts in the state.
Those Taunton recipients honored at this year’s event were:
Patricia Juba, founder and CEO of Taunton nonprofit A Life Worth Living, Corp, who was nominated by State Rep. Lisa Field.
Talisa Proctor, owner of Talisa’s on Main wine bar in downtown Taunton, who was nominated by State Sen. Kelly Dooner.
Who is Patricia Juba?
Juba founded A Life Worth Living, Corp., at 563 Bay St. in Taunton, in 2017.
Influenced by her own experiences dealing with poverty, addiction, and becoming a mother at a young age, Juba told the Gazette she started the nonprofit as a means of “reaching back to help other women and families dealing with homelessness” and other debilitating situations.
The nonprofit offers tools like one-on-one mentoring, coaching sessions, workshops, and seminars designed to empower and heal women, mentally and spiritually, said Juba.
A Life Worth Living also coordinates with healthcare providers, social workers, career counselors, and other services to address the needs of the vulnerable person or family, as well as holds charitable events, such as clothing and coat drives.
“My own journey has shown me that, with the right support, life is indeed worth living, and through our mission, every woman we serve will come to discover this truth for herself, finding the strength to embrace a future full of hope and purpose,” said Juba on the nonprofit’s website.
Juba, who is also a certified life coach, said she does consider herself a leader and mentor as she and staff at A Life Worth Living work to help lift their clients “from the pit they find themselves in” for various reasons.
At the Black Excellence on the Hill event, Juba received a certificate of recognition for the work she does with A Life Worth Living, Corp.
Juba said she is “super grateful” to have her daughter attend the event with her and “see the possibilities of doing what you love.” She adds that recognition was “acknowledgement that what I’m doing is necessary.”
Juba’s next goal for A Life Worth Living’s is to open a transitional living facility, dubbed Pathway to Purpose, for vulnerable single mothers. The organization is currently raising funds for this initiative.
Field said in a written statement, “I nominated Patricia Juba for the award to honor her dedication to empowering women and families through mentorship, transformative work and holistic support. The ‘Black Excellence on the Hill’ award highlights her significant contributions to our community and her commitment to making a positive impact.”
Who is Talisa Proctor?
Talisa Proctor opened up her wine bar, Talisa’s on Main, at 65 Main St. in downtown Taunton, a little more than two years ago, in January 2024.
Proctor told the Gazette her early goals when she opened were just to run a successful bar and highlight women and minority-owned wine brands.
Civic advocacy through helping fellow new businesses, as well as creating a community hub with her wine bar were not part of her original plans. “I’m not sure it was my intended goal when I opened my business, but that’s where I landed,” she said.
She said as more new businesses started up around or near the downtown area, her tendency to be sociable and neighborly turned “unintentionally” into assistance, as being helpful comes naturally for her, she said. “I didn’t get a lot of help starting this business, which is why I’ve taken on myself to help.”
Examples have been helping new business owners navigate processes for getting different permits and certifications, such as vendor permits for special events, or knowing who to contact, on a state or local level, for something specific. “The system could be confusing,” she said.
“Talisa’s has become more than a wine bar,” Proctor said.
She said Talisa’s has become a popular collaborative space, ranging from local artisans being allowed a place to sell their products, to hosting networking nights for aspiring entrepreneurs, to hosting seminars, workshops, and charitable and fundraising events, to organizations holding their meetings in her bar.
She said being at the Black Excellence on the Hill ceremony at the State House and being surrounded by her peers and lawmakers when she received her certificate of recognition was important to her because, “It means I’m doing something right.”
“I am my mother’s and ancestors’ wildest dream,” she said.
Dooner said in a written statement, “I nominated Talisa because she is a true trailblazer. What sets her apart is not only her entrepreneurial success, but her commitment to empowering others and increasing representation in her industry. Talisa leads with purpose, and her impact extends far beyond her business.”
