Leola (Lee) Taylor
Models Inc. and Brand New Me Workshops
Leola (Lee) Taylor has been an activist for youth and a servant to the Lansing community for over 32 years. Her programs were first initiated in the Lansing community during the early 1960’s running through the mid 1970’s, and targeted “at risk” pre-school and K-12 youth. In partnership with the late Richard Letts, Ms. Taylor’s programs sought to ease what was known as the “Long Hot Summers” of the civil rights era within the Black community. Up through the mid 70’s Ms. Taylor continued to organize youth around a variety of programs and talent shows eventually culminating into a program in 1978 entitled Models Inc., whereby, an annual Black “Prince and Princess” pageant was hosted.
Models Inc., partnered with the Michigan Employment Security Commission to conduct job workshops for the benefit of inner city youth which included utilization of an automated skill testing system, whereby, individuals could ascertain basic skill sets they possessed and identify skills and education that would need to be acquired to meet future employment goals. This information proved to be quite useful for individuals to ready themselves for college or enter certain vocational programming. Where possible, all work shops linked the contributions of Black America into their curriculum.
Models Inc. also helped youth develop the skills necessary to become community leaders including, instruction on how to conduct meetings and engage in public speaking.
According to Lee Taylor, many of the students were labeled “at risk” or “special ed” by the school district, simply because of their ethnicity, where they lived, or whatever was needed to further the districts agenda. In an effort to help get students out of this labeling situation, Models Inc. developed a tutoring program and required, as a condition of program participation, that students maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. Student participation at one time numbered in excess of 60 and with no failures, the tutorial program went a long way towards leveling the playing field for participants, working to ensure that all were given equal opportunities to succeed.
Models Inc. has evolved into the present program – the Brand New Me Workshops (BNM) – which focus on employability, personal development, and life/living skills to enable citizens to live independently. Workshops cover a variety of topics including, “Contributions of Americans of African Descent” to “Diversity in the Community to the Work-Place”, with an emphasis on building self-awareness, self-esteem, and encouraging continuing education. BNM Workshops have been conducted within local school districts, Michigan penal institutions, boys vocational schools, and have been extended to mentally challenged populations.
Lee Taylor said, “BNM has developed into a vehicle to demonstrate that the ignorance of others fuel the prejudices of many. Imagine what the world would be like without the contributions of Black America? It is only through education that one gains the knowledge of the creative inventions and modern contributions of people of color to this society. Such contributions include the areas of science, math, astrology, music, and inventions ranging from air conditioning, to the traffic signal, and cell phones. This knowledge can inspire young blacks to look at themselves in a more positive light – to help build self-awareness and change negative behavior patterns.” BNM has been the recipient of multiple awards including the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr., several volunteerism award and the Lansing Chamber of Commerce and various other organizations.
Lee Taylor said that she recognized that there was, and still is little or no attempt to encourage Blacks towards higher education or great achievements in the public school systems. She added, “The evidence is obvious because accomplishments by Black America are systematically omitted from all core subjects. Placing the accomplishments of Blacks alongside with those of other Americans within the core subjects would make a huge difference in the aspirations of young Blacks. It would also make a big difference in the attitudes of other cultures and ethnicities.”
Lee Taylor believes that appropriate and equal education would reduce and in some cases, eliminate the large number of school dropouts. Black-on-black crime, or other negatives caused by the feelings of hopelessness and the lack of self-esteem and self-awareness would certainly diminish if students had hopes of achieving things like their ancestors.
In 1994 Heather Taylor-Livas, eldest daughter of Lee Taylor, brought African dance to BNM via the African Masquerade Dancers (AMD). This is another vehicle to inspire youth to explore their roots with pride. While primarily a teaching tool which has included, contracting with the magnet schools as an after school art class, AMD has made “at risk” youth feel good about their heritage, while providing opportunities to travel the country and take part in a constructive activity.
Over the years Lee Taylor has worked with several community programs in addressing the problems of school dropout, early parenthood and the use of alcohol and drugs by youth. She has worked as a volunteer with Dr.Willie Davis, Jr. and his “All Around the African World Museum”, designed, developed, and implemented the Youth Advisory Boards at the Black Child and Family, whereby young participants are actively involved in the eradication of alcohol and other drug use in the communities, and worked with Raheema Muhammad and other community leaders to develop drug prevention programs. Lee Taylor has a demonstrated record of uplift, educating and empowering the youth in our Lansing community and we are grateful for her contributions to date, and look forward to more in the future.
