OUR SACRED ASSIGNMENT

ESSENCE's Editor-in-Chief emerita reprises her cherished column

- By Susan L. Taylor

The last time I published "In the Spirit" in ESSENCE was in 2008. I never expected to return to the column that I began writing monthly in 1981 when I was promoted to Editor-in-Chief of the magazine "In the Spirit" was a diary of sorts, a sanctuary for sharing life lessons, spiritual awakenings and difficult issues, both personal and social, that I was wrestling with. It was also my way of connecting deeply, heart to heart, with sisters. Surprisingly, over time, our brothers grew to nearly 30 percent of our readership.

My connection to us, to our people, gives me insight and strength. I continued writing "In the Spirit" after I appointed the editors who succeeded me. Overseeing the magazine from a distance, I was able to sharpen my focus on the other ESSENCE properties under my wing—from the televised Essence Awards to branded products to the Festival. When ownership of Essence Communications, Inc., changed hands, tensions arose. Transitions in business, as in life, can be difficult.

By the time 2007 rolled around, I was weary of the strained relationships at the company. But different winds had also been calling me since 2005, when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and our beloved New Orleans. I knew it was time to move on. I'd learned so much over the decades. Given my all. I wanted to be boots on the ground, directly serving our children and communities in crisis. I had spent 37 years at ESSENCE. It was a most beautiful run.