Susan L. Taylor, Editor in Chief of Essence Magazine, Launches Black History Month

>>> Essence magazine editor in chief Susan Taylor will be the keynote speaker for Black History Month at MHC. A colleague told the New York Times that Taylor "has truly believed in something that has always been intrinsic to the Essence message: You can."

Susan L. Taylor, editor in chief of Essence magazine and senior vice president of Essence Communications, Inc., will speak during one of eleven campus events planned to celebrate Black History Month. In addition to Taylor's keynote lecture, the College will sponsor a January 31 candlelight procession, a film series, Afrocentric worship, student presentations honoring important figures in black history, a jazz band performing Billie Holiday songs, and several other events during February. All these events address the theme "Remembering Our Past to Better Understand Our Present." (See the CSJ's calendar section for event details.)

On February 5, Taylor will speak on the subject of spirituality at 7:30 pm in Chapin Auditorium. Described as "energetic, intelligent, and vital," Taylor is noted for her motivational Essence editorial column "In the Spirit," which chronicles her own spiritual journey, promotes positive images of African American women, champions the struggles of Essence readers, and urges them to take pride in their accomplishments. "The bottom line is we are human and divine," she told New York Times Magazine readers last year. "Life is a sweet struggle if you know that you are more than you seem, more than flesh and blood. Our ancestors knew. Forget about how others perceive you; you can do everything right and they'll still talk about you. Do what pleases you."

Serving as Essence's editor in chief since 1981, Taylor has guided the leading African American magazine through a period of marked growth. The monthly readership of Essence is estimated at almost 5.1 million. In addition to the magazine, Essence, under Taylor's direction, launched the country's first nationally syndicated, black-oriented television magazine show. It ran for four seasons in some sixty American markets.

The author of In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L. Taylor and Lessons in Living, Taylor has received two honorary doctorates and created her own cosmetic line, Nequai Cosmetics. A single mother, she is an avid supporter of foster-care and serves on the advisory board of Aid to Imprisoned Mothers.