Insights

Reverend Dr. William H. Curtis

“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free…so other people would also be free.” This iconic quote from Rosa Parks during the height of the Civil Rights Movement forces us to reflect on our basic human rights, the rights that we were not always so privileged to. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the influential figures fueling the Civil Rights Movement, lending their strength, spirit, and wisdom to the cause. I can only imagine the riots, the quiet defiance, the speeches, the fear, and the strength that threatened to overcome these leaders. While there are countless leaders of importance, and many we may not know about, this week the late Dr. Gardner C. Taylor stands out in my mind. In his ministerial career spanning over six decades, to me, he helped transform America. 

Deemed “The Dean of American Preaching,” Dr. Taylor served as both a close friend and mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The grandson of former slaves, he played a large role in the religious leadership of the Civil Rights Movement, setting an example of leadership for us all. Alongside Dr. King, he helped found the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) in 1961, formed after Dr. Taylor and supporters of Dr. King seceded from the National Baptist Convention, USA.  The PNBC, a convention of African American Baptists that emphasizes civil rights and social justice, has grown beyond the United States, expanding Dr. Taylor’s influence to Caribbean and European residents. 

Dr. Taylor pastored at Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn for 42 years, a church that served as a beacon of hope for many and became a model as such for the nation. A testament to his strength and determination, when the church burned down in 1952, he didn’t let naysayers influence him. Instead, he rebuilt and doubled the church’s size. A truly gifted individual, his words impacted multiple generations. Remaining one of New York’s largest churches, Concord operates its own elementary school, nursing home, and credit union to this day, all a testament to Dr. Taylor’s legacy. 

Dr. Taylor’s wisdom, charisma, and unforgettable sermons were often sought after, and in 1993 he preached the pre-inauguration sermon for President-elect Bill Clinton. In 2000, he was given the highest civilian award in the United States, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Clinton in recognition for his contributions to ministry and activism. 

Events

On February 21st at 2:30pm head on over to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Downtown and Business (612 Smithfield St.) to learn about heart disease, the leading cause of death for African Americans in the United States. Listen to Darah Richardson of Omni Health and Wellness as she discusses risk factors and tips to improve health and wellness. 

Books and Authors

Dr. Cornel West is a prominent Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. He has also taught at Yale, Harvard, and the University of Princeton. Earning the honor of Magna Cum Laude at Harvard, he went on to obtain his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy at Princeton. I have always found him both impressive and inspirational. He has released three spoken word albums and written over 20 books, a true motivator. His classics, Race Matters and Democracy Matters, are thought-provoking and intellectual, and his latest releases, Black Prophetic Fire and Radical King, have received critical acclaim. His memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, is passionate, brilliant, and moving. Not to be missed, the memoir uncovers details from his three marriages, his struggle with finding his calling, his near-fatal bout with prostate cancer, and everything in-between. Intending to keep the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. alive, he has appeared in numerous documentaries, films, and television shows, including the Bill Maher Show, Colbert Report, CNN, C-Span, and Democracy Now.