Boys Town Louisiana

Susan Taylor shares hugs and smiles with the children of Boys Town Louisiana during a recent visit.

Louisiana Girls Share Inspirational Breakfast with Susan Taylor

Everyone has a story.  That was Susan Taylor’s message to 13 girls at Boys Town Louisiana’s Behrman Highway Emergency Shelter over a southern breakfast of grits, eggs, sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, muffins and juice July 4. 

Taylor, Editorial Director of ESSENCE magazine and founder of Nequai Cosmetics, embraced each of the girls during her visit and encouraged them to learn to love themselves and not compare themselves to others.  “You are all unique and very special just the way you are,” Taylor said. 

She shared her own story of struggles as a young girl.  “If someone would have taken the time to have the same conversation with me when I was your age as I am having with you now, I would not have made such bad choices as a youth,” Taylor confided to the girls. 

“You are so blessed to have a safe place like Boys Town Louisiana where you can heal and receive the help you need,” Taylor said.  She also reminded them that God dwells within each of them and is there to help when making decisions.  “God is just a conversation away.” 

“It was amazing,” said one of the girls at the shelter.  “I enjoyed the talks she had with us about our future.  She really made an impact on my life.  I would really like to see her again.” 

Boys Town Louisiana youth present Susan Taylor with gifts, thanking her for visiting their home and sharing her inspiring story.

In appreciation for Taylor’s efforts to get to know them personally and for her willingness to share her experiences with them, the girls presented Taylor a poster of Father Flanagan signed by each of them and framed by a local artist.  They also gave her a decorative pillow with the organization’s famous motto, “He ain’t heavy, Father…He’s m’ brother” sewn on it.    

“It was an honor and a privilege for Ms. Taylor to take the time to meet with our girls,” said Demetria Johnston-Bouton, Boys Town Louisiana Program Director.  “Her inspiring words of wisdom will remain with us always.” 

Taylor oversees the editorial operations of ESSENCE and writes the “In the Spirit” column each month.  She authored three books and was the first African-American woman to receive the Henry Johnson Fisher Award from the Magazine Publishers of America.  She is co-chair of a capital campaign to raise money to build housing in rural areas of South Africa.  Taylor also serves on the Louisiana Recovery Authority to aid in the state’s post-Katrina rebuilding.