Taj Murdock: A Quiet Courage

By Jos Duncan-Asé

The term “ Man of Courage” conjures an image of a roaring lion: commanding presence, mane shaking in the wind. When I met Taj Murdock, I was struck by his quiet strength. Though he was soft-spoken, gentle, and spiritual, he still carried the presence of a giant.

I was introduced to Taj as someone who uses nature to guide young men toward wellness, reduce gun violence, and help boys become their best selves. By day, he works as a barber. I watched as men sat in his chair, transformed—locs groomed, beards tamed, edges sharpened with precision into the crisp lines that Philadelphia barbers are renowned for. On the day I visited, it was clear Taj knew every man who sat down.

One client was a gun violence survivor. Another was an ambitious young entrepreneur, just starting out. A father brought his nine-year-old son along to sweep hair from the floor. The boy grumbled but did the task as Taj and the young man’s father spoke about instilling a strong work ethic. Outside, a twenty-year-old young man worked the yard at the Men of Courage green space. 

Enclosed by a stone wall, the green space is lush with trees, grass, and growing herbs. A basketball court and small theater sat nearby, creating an oasis that felt hidden from the world. The young man raked leaves with focus and care. Taj shared how, just weeks earlier, the same young man had been on the brink of homelessness and seeking purpose. Taj gave him a job, along with a sense of belonging and direction.

This is the essence of Men of Courage—a space where boys can play video games, share their struggles, discover new ideas, build community, and simply be. It’s a haven where they can exist as whole, unburdened humans, free from the heaviness of navigating Philadelphia’s streets.

For Taj, holding this space isn’t just for the boys—it’s also for the boy inside himself; the inner child who once navigated a similar search for belonging. Taj grew up in North Philadelphia, a mentally gifted child who excelled academically but found little celebration or support for his talents. Without a father figure at home, he sought validation in ways that didn’t always serve him. He eventually dropped out of high school and became entangled in street life. After his first run-in with the law at 16, a local barber named Gerry Holland mentored him, giving him a job sweeping floors at Shear Magic Barbershop, where Taj learned the fundamentals of barbering. 

Taj reflects on what he calls “fatherhood hunger,” the void boys experience without father figures to guide and affirm them. Many young men in Philadelphia live in a state of hypervigilance, shaped by a history of trauma and a present filled with constant attacks, fear, and violence.

Taj’s journey of transformation began with faith. Time spent in nature—places like the Poconos—helped him see the natural world as a gift from God. In his 40s, he embraced emotional intelligence and meditation, which allowed him to forgive himself for his past and begin healing. With these tools, he found purpose in guiding others.

At a Men of Courage event later that day, young men gathered to share their joys, pains, challenges, and hopes. They moved to the green space for a team-building activity. Blindfolded, they helped one another navigate and jump through literal hoops. They encouraged, trusted, and nurtured one another—a reflection of the trust Taj has nurtured in them.

Spending a day with Taj, hearing his story, and witnessing his work, it was clear that he embodies the men and mentors who once helped him heal. He is an uncle, a father, and a Man of Courage for the boys he mentors. He reflects power, faith, and the possibility of something greater: a roaring lion with a gentle soul.