LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Susan L. Taylor, Founder of National
CARES Mentoring Movement and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of ESSENCE Maga-
zine, upon the occasion of her designation for special recognition

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly recognize
those extraordinary individuals who have made contributions to the
success and progress of society in the course of their life's work; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Susan L. Taylor, Founder of National CARES Mentoring Movement and
Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of ESSENCE Magazine, upon the occasion of her
designation for special recognition; and
WHEREAS, Susan L. Taylor is synonymous with ESSENCE Magazine, the
brand she built -- as its fashion and beauty editor, editor-in-chief and
editorial director; for 27 years she authored one of the magazine's most
popular columns "In the Spirit"; and
WHEREAS, As the driving force behind one of the most celebrated Black-
owned businesses for nearly three decades, Susan L. Taylor is a legend
in the magazine publishing world; and
WHEREAS, She was the first and only African American woman to be
recognized by the Magazine Publishers of America with the Henry Johnson
Fisher Award -- the industry's highest honor -- and the first to be
inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editors Hall of Fame; she
is the recipient of the NAACP President's Award for visionary leadership
and has honorary degrees from more than a dozen colleges and universi-
ties; and
WHEREAS, A fourth-generation entrepreneur, Susan L. Taylor grew up in
Harlem working with her father in his women's clothing store; she found-
ed her own cosmetics company, a first for Black women, which led to the
beauty editor's position at ESSENCE; and
WHEREAS, She is the author of four books: IN THE SPIRIT: THE INSPIRA-
TIONAL WRITINGS OF SUSAN L. TAYLOR; LESSONS IN LIVING; CONFIRMATION: THE
SPIRITUAL WISDOM THAT HAS SHAPED OUR LIVES, which she coauthored with
her husband, Khephra Burns; and her most recent, ALL ABOUT LOVE, FAVOR-
ITE SELECTIONS FROM IN THE SPIRIT ON LIVING FEARLESSLY; she is a much
sought-after speaker, inspiring hope and encouraging people to reclaim
their lives and create sustainable communities; and
WHEREAS, Susan L. Taylor is an avid supporter of a host of organiza-
tions dedicated to moving the Black community forward, but her passion
and focus today is the National CARES Mentoring Movement, a call to
action, which she founded in 2006 as Essence Cares; and
WHEREAS, The National CARES Mentoring Movement is a massive campaign
to recruit one million able adults to help secure our children who are
in peril and losing ground; and
WHEREAS, The goals of the National CARES Mentoring Movement are to
increase high school graduation rates among African American students,
and end the violence in Black communities and the over-incarceration of
our young; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, she is co-chair with Danny Glover of Shared
Interest, a capital campaign to raise money to build housing and encour-
age entrepreneurship in the rural areas of South Africa, and serves on
the boards of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Girl Scouts of the USA;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the

recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Susan L. Taylor, and to wish her
continued success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Susan L. Taylor upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Susan L. Taylor.