Susan L. Taylor commits to caring for children

Susan L. Taylor commits to caring for children|Susan L. Taylor commits to caring for children
Photo by Laura Andrews|Photo by Laura Andrews

When editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence Magazine Susan L. Taylor asked me to support National CARES Mentoring Movement (“CARES”), the 27-year editor of Essence Magazine — a publication, which spoke to and for women of the African Diaspora, was taking on a task she likely hones every day and that is looking assiduously for qualified mentors to recruit for the organization she created, CARES.

CARES a different kind of mentoring organization assisting black children. It reaches out to prospective mentors “who will play an active role in helping to shape the development and assist in the direction of young people’s future.”

“Mentoring is all about caring. It’s caring enough to commit just one hour a week to advise and help guide a vulnerable young person. None of the forces claiming the lives of our children are more powerful than our commitment and love. We are the solution,” stated Taylor, in her national recruitment effort.

CARES is Taylor’s method of giving back to the community. The organization started after the Hurricane Katrina devastation in New Orleans prevented the return of the annual Essence Music Festival. Despite the natural catastrophe, Taylor reached out to a wide-spectrum of leaders to engage in a call to commitment in Houston. As a result of their acts of engagement, Essence Cares then National CARES Mentoring would be born.

Taylor asserts that “mentoring is a weapon to fight the forces dampening young lives.”

“CARES Mentor-Recruitment Affiliates are networks of individuals across the country who work together to recruit caring, committed adults to mentor our vulnerable young.” CARES Affiliates are based throughout the United States. To locate a CARES Affiliate in your community, contact: 212-920-7750.

On the evening of Jan. 25 The National CARES Mentoring Movement, “For The Love of Our Children Gala” featuring filmmaker and executive producer Lee Daniels of “Empire” will host the fundraiser and 70th birthday celebration of Susan L. Taylor in New York City. To be a part of this national call to commitment, contact: NationalCARESGala.org for tickets.

Susan L. Taylor (center) honored by Queens Library Friends in Lefrak.
Photo by Laura Andrews