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CSM alumna and United Way of Douglas Co. CEO, Jannette Taylor, featured MLK speaker

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Omaha, Neb. – College of Saint Mary alumna and social justice advocate Jannette Taylor ’06, M’08 will return to campus this month to speak on issues within our justice system. Taylor will be speaking primarily on the topic of mass incarceration as it pertains to the marginalized communities in the U.S. Students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to attend the presentation held on Monday, Feb. 5 at 12 p.m. in Gross Auditorium. This year’s MLK speaker was pushed back to allow for students returning from winter break to attend.

Jannette Taylor is the CEO of United Way in Lawrence, KS and her career has largely focused on child welfare, social justice, and issues of equality. Jannette's personal life experiences have aided her in working with at risk youth and isolated families. These experiences have positioned her to be a great voice and advocate for marginalized people in the Omaha community prior to her move to Kansas. Past Omaha Mayor, Jim Suttle, acknowledged all her hard work and dedication to the Omaha community by issuing an official proclamation deeming December 5th as "Jannette Taylor Day" in Omaha.

Admission is free and open to the public.

More about Jannette Taylor, MOL, MSNDR
Jannette attended undergraduate and graduate school at the College of Saint Mary, earning a Masters in Organizational Leadership. She went on to earn a Masters in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at Creighton University School of Law, while also working on a Juris Doctor Degree.

She has served in various nonprofit leadership roles in Nebraska and Iowa. Ms. Taylor founded a community-based nonprofit, Impact One Community Connection in Omaha and served as its Executive Director for four years. This small nonprofit grew from a $500,000 annual budget to a budget of $2 million in its first year of operations.

She has a passion for social justice and has been actively involved in community initiatives, peaceful protests and civil disobedience stances both locally and nationally. Jannette has been fortunate to march with Jesse Jackson during his campaign for president as a child, have conversations with social justice warriors such as Angela Davis, Bernardine Dohrn and Michelle Alexander. She recently joined other activists at the Women’s March in Washington D.C. to take a stand for all people. Being an advocate and activist are important to her personal mission and life’s work.