The Essence of King

The editorial director of Essence magazine will lead Grand Valley's silent march to honor Martin Luther King, Jr., then give a keynote address in the Cook-DeWitt Center.

Susan L. Taylor oversees all divisions of the multimedia organization. More than 1 million people subscribe to Essence monthly; the company lists a readership of 7.6 million. Taylor, who served as editor-in-chief from 1981-2000, continues to write the In the Spirit column. She is currently launching a new magazine for the company.

Grand Valley's silent march will begin at 1:45 p.m. on Monday, January 19, at Zumberge Library at the Allendale Campus and end at the Cook-DeWitt Center. Prior to Taylor's speech, GVSU's Gospel Choir will perform at 2 p.m.

Taylor will also highlight the Grand Rapids community celebration later that day at Ford Fieldhouse on the Grand Rapids Community College campus. The 18th annual celebration will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sponsors include GRCC, GVSU and the IMDA Ministerial Alliance.

Taylor is a graduate of Fordham University and has received honorary degrees from five universities and colleges. A fourth-generation entrepreneur, she developed a line of customized cosmetics and skin products in 1970, the same year that Essence debuted.

Shortly after its introduction, Nequai Cosmetics caught the eye of Essence editors and Taylor was recruited for the magazine's beauty pages. In 1971, she was named beauty editor and a year later, Taylor's position expanded to include fashion.

She is the author of three books, In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L.Taylor, Lessons in Living and Confirmation: The Spiritual Wisdom that has Shaped Our Lives. The latter book she co-authored with her husband, Khephra Burns.

Taylor is active in numerous organizations, including the Commission on Research in Black Education and the Black Aministrators in Child Welfare. She is also the co-chair of a capital campaign with Danny Glover for Shared Interest, a U.S.-based organization that works with low-income South African families.