Susan L. Taylor Quotes

Powerful Susan L. Taylor for Daily Growth

About Susan L. Taylor

Susan L. Taylor, an influential figure in journalism and media, was born on March 13, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised by her Jamaican-immigrant parents, she developed a deep appreciation for storytelling and a strong sense of cultural identity from a young age. Taylor's professional journey began at Essence magazine, where she started as a freelance writer in 1970. Over the years, she rose through the ranks to become Editor-in-Chief in 1981, a position she held for 24 years. Under her leadership, Essence transformed into a powerful platform for black women, addressing social issues, beauty, fashion, and personal development. Her influence extended beyond Essence, as she served on various boards, including the ACLU, the National Urban League, and the National Council of Negro Women. In 1997, Taylor was awarded the National Association of Black Journalists' Lifetime Achievement Award. Taylor's major works include "In the Lives of Black Women: Culture, Politics, and Society" (1985), co-authored with Jacqueline Jones Royster, and "Passion & Power: Founding Mothers of America" (2004). Taylor also authored numerous essays on race, gender, culture, and family, many of which were published in Essence. In 2017, Taylor stepped down from her position as Editor-in-Chief at Essence but continued to contribute to the magazine as a columnist. Today, she remains an influential voice in media, advocating for black women and promoting cultural identity through storytelling.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Nurturing the mind begins in the heart."

This quote by Susan L. Taylor highlights that learning and intellectual growth stem from emotional connections and care. It suggests that a nurturing environment, where love, empathy, and compassion are present, fosters a fertile ground for intellectual development. In essence, the heart (emotions) plays a crucial role in shaping the mind (intellect).

"We must believe in ourselves and our ability to make a difference."

This quote underscores the importance of self-confidence and personal agency in effecting change. Susan L. Taylor encourages us to trust in our own abilities and potential, understanding that we have the power to create positive impact in our lives and the world around us. It serves as a reminder that belief in oneself is essential for personal growth and collective progress.

"There's no greater power than a community discovering what it cares about."

This quote emphasizes the significant influence and strength that arises when a community comes together, shares common values, and actively participates in supporting causes they care about. The collective energy, passion, and resources mobilized can lead to transformative changes, underscoring the power of unity and shared purpose within communities.

"Remember, when you enter a room, you enter either on love or fear."

This quote by Susan L. Taylor emphasizes the impact one's presence can have in any given situation. Essentially, it suggests that our actions and demeanor elicit either positive emotions like love, or negative ones like fear from those around us. When we enter a room radiating positivity, empathy, and kindness, people respond with warmth and affection (love). On the contrary, if we appear arrogant, aggressive, or intimidating (fear), our interactions will be colored by unease and apprehension. The quote serves as a powerful reminder that our behavior can greatly influence the quality of relationships and overall atmosphere in any environment we find ourselves in.

"Whatever we choose to focus on is what grows in our lives."

This quote by Susan L. Taylor emphasizes the importance of intentionality in shaping one's life experiences. It suggests that our thoughts, actions, and energies are directed towards what we deliberately focus on. In other words, the things we give attention to have a significant impact on our lives, as they tend to flourish or grow due to our concentration and effort. Therefore, it is crucial to consciously decide where to place our attention, as our choices will ultimately shape the trajectory of our lives.

Don't identify yourself with labels and brands and have to buy every cute thing you see. Invest in the things that will grow in equity.

- Susan L. Taylor

Grow, Will, Identify, Brands

Parents really just need support and not to be blamed and not to have fingers pointed at them.

- Susan L. Taylor

Need, Fingers, Them, Pointed

What we still haven't done is really learned and embraced our history. When we do that, we'll no longer be doubtful and fearful that we are weak and incomplete.

- Susan L. Taylor

Still, Learned, Doubtful, Incomplete

We must learn how to live in the space of inner peace in our everyday lives. This takes consistent, conscious effort because I know so many black women are hurting and sad, and we don't easily express our heartache or show our wounds.

- Susan L. Taylor

Effort, Show, Everyday Lives, Hurting

Stress and worry, they solve nothing. What they do is block creativity. You are not even able to think about the solutions. Every problem has a solution.

- Susan L. Taylor

Stress, Worry, Think, Block

There's a lot of rhetoric out here, a lot of talk about giving young people opportunity. Just looking so deeply into the RFK Children's Action Corps, I can see that they are really, really living that mandate.

- Susan L. Taylor

Young, Here, Mandate, Just Looking

It's hunger. It's homelessness, often. It's underfunded, under-resourced schools. It's abuse beyond the chilling. It's having overwhelmed parents and caregivers. Those are the things that young people are struggling with beyond our view.

- Susan L. Taylor

Young, Abuse, Having, Chilling

When I joined 'Essence,' I was a young, single mother. I was 24. I hadn't gone to college. I wasn't making any money at 'Essence' - what was it, $500 a month - and I was struggling. So I was always looking down the road, always hoping for a better, you know, tomorrow.

- Susan L. Taylor

College, Young, Essence, Down The Road

We need a new order of ministers to stand in pulpits. 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.

- Susan L. Taylor

Suffering, Around, Needless, Godless

We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly - spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.

- Susan L. Taylor

Mind, Lives, Honestly, Renew

We have to get up, and we have to move our bodies. We need to move! There is no way to be healthy or happy - no way - without having some kind of exercise regimen.

- Susan L. Taylor

Some, Move, Having, Regimen

I don't care how much you know, how many books you read, how you much you study and, you know, how educated you are, you're still going to struggle. Life is challenging.

- Susan L. Taylor

Study, Still, Read, Struggle

We don't have time to waste. Our communities are crumbling; our children are under siege. Failing schools and a for-profit prison-industrial complex are sucking the life out of black homes and communities. We are not going down like this!

- Susan L. Taylor

Waste, Going, Sucking, Communities

Historically, black women have suffered tremendously, but today's black women are the triumph. We have choices, and that's what freedom is all about: having the power to choose.

- Susan L. Taylor

Black, Triumph, Having, Women Are

I write about spirituality not so we get strong from within and achieve some state of nirvana and then distance ourselves from the real world. I write about it so we can feel empowered to doing the critical work that this generation of black women are charged with doing.

- Susan L. Taylor

Strong, Doing, Some, Women Are

Seeds of faith are always within us; sometimes it takes a crisis to nourish and encourage their growth.

- Susan L. Taylor

Faith, Crisis, Always, Nourish

Thoughts have power; thoughts are energy. And you can make your world or break it by your own thinking.

- Susan L. Taylor

Thoughts, World, Break, Energy

Occasionally, I have to think like myself to remember where I put something.

- Susan L. Taylor

Remember, Think, Like, Occasionally

We will never finish everything on our to-do lists. It's not possible, and that is life!

- Susan L. Taylor

Finish, Never, Will, Lists

We don't have an eternity to realize our dreams, only the time we are here.

- Susan L. Taylor

Here, Eternity, Only, Our Dreams

We women feel we are here to serve. That's the mistake we make. We may have children, husbands, lovers, bills, responsibility. Those things don't own us, but too often we let them.

- Susan L. Taylor

Mistake, Here, May, Bills

We have to fill our hearts with gratitude. Gratitude makes everything that we have more than enough.

- Susan L. Taylor

Gratitude, More, Than, Hearts

Use missteps as stepping stones to deeper understanding and greater achievement.

- Susan L. Taylor

Achievement, Stones, Use, Greater

The things I need from my husband and he needs from me are minimal - respect, support when needed, kindness, love.

- Susan L. Taylor

Love, Need, Needs, Minimal

We live in an abundant universe. Everything we need to take care of ourselves, those things are all around us. Don't focus on that economy. Don't believe that there's not enough for you.

- Susan L. Taylor

Focus, Need, Economy, Abundant

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