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Glenda R. Taylor

Glenda R. Taylor was born in Brooklyn, New York. She is a multi-faceted writer who is currently working on The Womb of My Soul, a work of creative non-fiction. Best known for her pioneering work with philanthropic organizations, Taylor has authored proposals which have resulted in funding of over $50 million. As Deputy Executive Director (1982-1993) of Urban Strategies (said by the Ford Foundation in 1990 to be one of the fastest growing non-profit organizations in the country), Taylor’s creative genius and administrative acumen catapulted the organization into a multi-million dollar corporation consisting of shelters, daycare centers, educational programs, and apartment buildings with a staff of over two hundred and fifty people. She was exceptional at everything from strategic planning to management to acting as comptroller responsible for overseeing government fiscal and programmatic audits. Her astute ability to recognize human potential and provide tutelage to those under her supervision has resulted in the development of numerous leaders and has had impact upon tens of thousands of lives in the tri-state area.

Taylor is the founder of Olympic Vision, a charitable organization, which has provided over 5,000 youth and adults with educational, job placement, mental health and social services. She is a proponent of the John Dewey philosophy which emphasizes the importance of experiential education. She developed many innovative, interactive educational programs (1992-2001) which taught both youth and adults how to become gainfully employed, develop a meaningful career and fulfill their long term goals. These programs included courses in television production, computer technology, writing, publishing, entrepreneurship and the art of being an equestrian.

Taylor organized seminars and forums in which business and entertainment industry executives, bankers, educators and writers such as Walter Mosley, Elizabeth Nunez and Bebe Moore Campbell interacted with economically disadvantaged youth and adults. Olympic Vision students participated in the marketing of the National Black Writers Conference and they assisted in the coordination of a major art exhibit by acclaimed artist, Izell Glover. These forums opened many doors and gave the participants access to employment and educational opportunities. Students were placed on internships which resulted in full time employment in the City University of New York, Columbia University and other institutions and businesses in the tri-state area. Currently, Olympic Vision (2001- present) focuses on providing supportive services to community based organizations and small businesses.

Taylor is the editor of The Secrets of Success: Quotations by African American Achievers (1998) and co-editor (with Mary J. Taylor) of Truth Beyond Illusion: African American Women 1860s-1950s (2009) and The Secrets of Success: The Black Man’s Perspective (1999). She, also, authored an extraordinary volume of poetry titled, Blind Light (2010). Blind Light explores the metaphysical journey of one who unexpectedly loses her eyesight. Called a visionary by the New York Daily Challenge, Taylor is listed in the International Biographical Centre’s The World’s Who’s Who of Women and The Biographical Institute’s Two Thousand Notable American Women. She has received a Certificate for Outstanding Service to Youth from the New York State Division for Youth, and is one of the first recipients of The Network Journal’s 25 Most Influential Women In Business Award. In 2005, Taylor was honored with the Harriett Tubman Award for her phenomenal contribution to the non-profit sector.

Taylor obtained her Master of Arts degree in History & Culture from the prestigious Union Institute and University. She obtained her Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. Taylor, also, studied at the University of Ghana Institute of African Studies in Accra, Ghana, The University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana and Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.

Sources

· Ramirez, Anthony. “Black Collectors Hate and Buy Them. “The New York Times,” July 5, 2006.

· Edwards, Wayne. “Glenda Taylor Shares ‘The Secrets of Success’.” The New York Daily Challenge, January 25, 1999.

· “Glenda R. Taylor CEO & Founder, Olympic Vision.” The New York Network Journal, March 1999.

· “Community Calendar: Employment Training Program.” New York Beacon, September, 10, 1998.

· “Education Today: Summer Youth-employment Classes.” The New York Amsterdam News, April 2, 1998.

· “Bebe Moore Campbell Brings Book Tour to New York.” New York Daily challenge, March 4, 1998.

· “Iyanla Vanzant ‘empowers’ Olympic Vision Staff.” New York Daily Challenge, March 24, 1998.

· “Olympic Vision Co-hosts Reading, Book Signing by Author Walter Mosley.” New York Daily Challenge, November 13, 1997.

· “Olympic Vision Hosts 3^rd Annual Fundraising Drive for Adult Training.” New York Daily Challenge, August 6, 1996.