Taylor

Editorial director of America's celebrated Essence magazine, Susan Taylor, will be the main speaker at this year's Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) fund-raising dinner to be held at the Jamaica Pegasus on November 30. WLI Chair Pat Ramsay, noted that they are very delighted to have Ms. Taylor as this year's speaker.

"Apart from being editorial director of Essence, she is one of the most celebrated African American-owned business success stories of the past 30 years. She is also a highly, sought-after motivational speaker. She is admired as a speaker who will be an inspiration to all who hear her."

Honorary degrees

In 1999, Taylor became the first African American woman to receive the Henry Johnson Fisher Award from the Magazine Publishers of America - the magazine industry's highest honour. In 2002, she was inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editorial (ASME) Hall of Fame, and has received honorary degrees from several colleges and universities including, Lincoln University, Spelman College, Pillard University, Bennett College for Women, the University of Delaware and her alma mater, Fordham University.

Ms. Taylor is currently co-chair of a capital campaign with Danny Glover to raise money to build housing in the rural areas of South Africa. She also serves on the Board of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies in Washington, D.C., and on the Louisiana Recovery Authority, to aid in the state's post-Katrina rebuilding.

The annual dinner is a signature event for the WLI - a progression of the United Way Women's Leadership Initiative and 'Building Bridges' Exchanges launched by former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica, Sue Cobb.

Proceeds of the dinner will benefit a range of WLI charities.