Susan L. Taylor

Learn about Susan L. Taylor — American editor, writer, and media pioneer. Explore her journey from Harlem to editor-in-chief, her influence through Essence magazine, her mentoring initiatives, her written works, inspiring quotes, and enduring legacy.

Introduction

Susan L. Taylor (born January 23, 1946) is a prominent American editor, journalist, author, and media leader. Best known for her long tenure as or-in-Chief of Essence magazine, she helped shape discourse on Black women’s experiences, inner life, and social justice. Her voice as a columnist, mentor, and organizational founder extends her influence far beyond magazine pages. In this article, we’ll trace her life, achievements, the themes of her writing, notable quotes, and lessons from her trajectory.

Early Life and Family

Susan L. Taylor was born on January 23, 1946, in Harlem, New York City. Her mother was of Trinidadian descent and her father came from St. Kitts. She grew up in East Harlem, where her father owned a clothing store.

Raised in a Catholic environment, she attended Catholic schooling in her early years. Later, her family relocated to Queens, New York.

In her early twenties, Taylor launched Nequai Cosmetics, a beauty line tailored to the needs of African American women. This entrepreneurial step would help position her for entry into the publishing world.

She began at Essence magazine in 1970 — then a fledgling publication — taking on the role of freelance beauty/fashion editor.

Youth, Education & Formative Growth

Although Susan L. Taylor did not immediately pursue formal higher education, she believed in lifelong learning. During her years at Essence, she attended night school and ultimately earned a B.A. from Fordham University.

Her time immersed in the magazine world, working from entry roles up to leadership, provided rich experiential education in journalism, editing, media operations, and understanding the cultural pulse of her audience.

Career and Achievements

Rise at Essence Magazine

Taylor’s ascent at Essence is notable:

• She joined in 1970 as a freelance beauty/fashion editor.

• Over the years, she took on increasing editorial responsibility.

• In 1981, she became or-in-Chief of Essence.

• She held that role until 2000.

Under her leadership, Essence expanded its influence, readership, and brand reach.

Beyond print, Taylor was also executive producer and host of Essence, the Television Program, a syndicated interview show that ran on over 50 stations during the 1980s.

She introduced Essence Books, and her signature monthly column, “In the Spirit”, became a beloved and spiritually grounded feature.

In 2000, she transitioned to the role of publications director. Essence in 2008.

Mentoring & Social Impact

One of her enduring legacies is the National CARES Mentoring Movement, which began under the name Essence CARES.

Taylor also has been active in speaking, contributing to public discourse on social justice, race, empowerment, and emotional/spiritual wellness.

Honors & Recognition

Susan L. Taylor has received numerous awards and recognition:

• She was the first African American woman to receive the Henry Johnson Fisher Award from the Magazine Publishers of America (1998), one of the industry’s highest honors.

• In 2002, she was inducted into the American Society of Magazine ors’ Hall of Fame.

• She has received the President’s Award from the NAACP.

• Taylor has been honored by numerous organizations over the years — including awards from New York Women in Communications (Matrix Award) and local women's groups.

• In 1994, American Libraries referred to her as “the most influential black woman in journalism today.”

She also holds honorary positions, and is an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority (inducted 2013).

Published Works

Some of Susan L. Taylor’s books include:

• In the Spirit: The Inspirational Writings of Susan L. Taylor (collection of her column)

• Lessons in Living

• Confirmation: The Spiritual Wisdom That Has Shaped Our Lives (co-authored with Khephra Burns)

• All About Love: Favorite Selections from “In the Spirit” on Living Fearlessly

Her writing blends spiritual reflection, personal narrative, and social insight.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Taylor’s career at Essence occurred during a time when Black women’s voices were often marginalized in mainstream media. Her leadership helped make Essence into a powerful platform for representation, affirmation, and social commentary.

• Her era at Essence spanned key moments in Black intellectual, cultural, and political life (1980s–2000s), including expanding dialogue on race, gender, identity, and empowerment.

• The growth of Essence into a multimedia brand — books, television, events — during her tenure is emblematic of media evolution, especially in culturally specific publishing.

• Her mentoring movement reflects a broader trend of media leaders stepping into activism, community development, and social responsibility.

Legacy and Influence

Susan L. Taylor’s influence can be seen in multiple dimensions:

1. Amplifying Black women’s inner lives
   Through her writing and Essence, she helped shift the narrative from external expectations to internal reflection, identity, and self-empowerment.

2. Media leadership & trailblazing
   As one of the few Black women in top editorial roles, she opened doors and set standards for inclusivity in media.

3. Mentorship & community impact
   Her National CARES initiative continues to connect mentors and youth, carrying forward her commitment to empowerment beyond words.

4. Blending spirituality and social consciousness
   Her writings often link faith, emotional growth, and societal change — a model for engaged spirituality.

5. Longevity through adaptability
   Her shift from magazine leadership into mentoring, public speaking, and authorship shows a capacity to evolve while staying anchored in core values.

Personality, Strengths & Challenges

From public statements, interviews, and her writings, key traits emerge:

• Authenticity & vulnerability: Taylor often speaks candidly about struggles, doubts, and growth, not just success.

• Spiritually grounded: Her work consistently engages with inner life, meaning, and wisdom beyond surface issues.

• Empathy & connection: Her columns, mentoring efforts, and public voice emphasize listening, compassion, and relational awareness.

• Visionary leadership: She had the capacity to see Essence not just as a magazine but as a cultural institution and movement.

• Resilience: As someone who started without a college degree and as a single mother navigating publishing, her persistence is a hallmark.

• Balancing interior & exterior: Her writing often encourages alignment between inner values and outward actions — a delicate balance in public life.

At times, her roles and platform placed her in places of scrutiny, especially when media and identity issues (such as the controversy surrounding Tracey Norman) surfaced.

Famous Quotes of Susan L. Taylor

Below are some widely attributed quotes that reflect Taylor’s voice and themes of growth, empowerment, spirituality, and purpose:

“Use missteps as stepping stones to deeper understanding and greater achievement.” “We don’t have an eternity to realize our dreams, only the time we are here.” “It’s not enough to sing and praise God in worship services. Any religion that doesn’t encourage us to work together to end the needless suffering all around us is godless.” “We live in an abundant universe. Everything we need to take care of ourselves, those things are all around us.” “When I joined ‘Essence,’ I was a young, single mother … I was struggling.” “We each have a finite number of heartbeats … But we have enough heartbeats and enough time to do what is important.” “As we rise to meet the challenges … we awaken to our many undiscovered gifts, to our inner power and our purpose.”

These quotes capture central themes: seizing the present, learning from failure, integrating faith and action, and valuing our finite time.

Lessons from Susan L. Taylor

Susan L. Taylor’s life and work offer many instructive lessons:

1. Start where you are, grow from there
   Her career began without formal credentials. Through effort, learning, and purpose, she built influence and legacy.

2. Write to heal and uplift, not just to impress
   Her emphasis on inner life, authenticity, and emotional truth makes her voice timeless and deeply connective.

3. Leadership is service
   She used her platform to mentor, to uplift communities, and to build institutions beyond fame.

4. Balance inner work and outward impact
   Her writings often urge alignment between values, self-awareness, and public action.

5. Time is precious — act now
   Many of her quotes remind us that we don’t have unlimited time, so the present moment must be honored.

6. Failures are not fatal
   She reframes missteps as part of the journey, encouraging learning and growth rather than shame.

Conclusion

Susan L. Taylor stands as a luminous figure in American media—an editor, writer, mentor, and voice of spiritual insight for generations of Black women and beyond. Her journey from Harlem to media leadership, her shaping of Essence, and her ongoing work in mentorship and community reflect a life lived with purpose, courage, and compassion.

Her words challenge us to pay attention to our inner landscapes, to live aligned with our values, and to contribute meaningfully in the time we are given. If you like, I can also prepare a timeline of her career or a commentary on her book In the Spirit. Would you like me to do that?