Susan L. Taylor, editor-in-chief emerita of Essence magazine, recently challenged a group of 40 61传媒 students, faculty and staff “to awaken your power to become agents of change and healing.”
A legend in the publishing world, Taylor met with students on January 27 for breakfast in the Hampton Room as part of a series of events at The Claremont Colleges commemorating the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Since leaving Essence magazine, Taylor has applied her intellect and energy to create the National CARES Mentoring Movement, an organization focused on increasing the high school graduation rate of African American students.
“Surround yourself with people who have a vision,” Taylor said. “The vision that you should have for yourself is a vision that says, 芒鈧淚 am on a path of mastery.’ You have to master your craft. You have to be a master of your own goals.”
Students Zaneh Williams ’14, president of the campus group Wanawake Weusi 芒鈧�� which means “black women” in Swahili 芒鈧�� and Daysha Edewi ’14 presented Taylor with a framed photograph of Wanawake Weusi members.
Wanawake Weusi, a group that nurtures women of African descent at the College, awarded Taylor with its Woman of Inspiration Award. The picture frame was engraved with: “Susan Taylor, Woman of Inspiration Award for empowering us to be 芒鈧渋n the spirit,’ Wanawake Weusi, 61传媒 2012.”
Williams was delighted to met Taylor.
“She’s what black women aspire to be: beautiful, powerful, confident, and peaceful,” Williams said. “She inspired me to be even more determined to chase after my dreams.”
Williams and Edewi also gave Taylor an academic stole in appreciation of her visit to The Claremont Colleges.
Edewi read one of her to Taylor.
“My black is beautiful. Devine. Elegant. Classy. But let me catch you trying to give me some attitude and I will get sassy. But that’s only because my black is passionate. Rebellious. And excited. Which often gets confused with rage and anger,” said Edewi, who is vice president of Wanawake Weusi.
Taylor’s visit was sponsored by The Claremont Colleges’ MLK Commemoration Committee.