Yolanda TaylorYolanda Taylor is a Louisiana native who made Topeka home and has spent decades serving, documenting, and uplifting her community. A graduate of Southern University and A&M College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Taylor has built alegacy rooted in service, leadership, and preservation.A veteran of the United States Army, Taylor served four years as a Still Photographic Specialist with the Big Red One at Fort Riley. Following her military service, she worked for 19 years as a Veterans Representative for the State of Kansas, retiring in 2019 after helping veterans secure meaningful employment and successfully transition into civilian life.In 2010, Taylor founded Heavenly Visions Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring youth through photography, travel, and cultural exposure. Through its youth photography program, she has equipped more than 60 young people, ages 8-18, with photography skills while broadening their worldview through local experiences and travel opportunities across the United States and the Western Caribbean. In 2022, the HVF Youth Photography Program expanded to Southwest Louisiana, where youth in her hometown are also given opportunities to experience the world through photography.Taylor is also a respected civic leader with more than 20 years of service within the Democratic Party, having held multiple leadership roles in local and state African American Democratic caucuses. She also previously served as Treasurer of the Kansas State Democratic Party.As an author, photographer, and historian, Taylor is passionate about preserving the stories and legacy of Topeka's African American community. She has authored four books, including Leaders and Role Models: African American Men in Topeka (2006), Sistah's Keeping It Together (2007), and Eyes of Wisdom (2016), each highlighting the people, wisdom, and contributions that continue to shape the community.A mother, grandmother, veteran, and visionary leader, Yolanda Taylor continues to use her platform to preserve history, invest in future generations, and celebrate the excellence within Topeka. Read More Read Less