Adam Russell Taylor facts for kids

Adam Russell Taylor is a leader who works for social change. He is the president of Sojourners, a Christian group that helps people and works for social justice. This means they believe in fairness and equal rights for everyone, based on their Christian faith.

He has also written two books: A More Perfect Union and Mobilizing Hope. These books talk about building a better community and how faith can inspire people to act for change. Adam Russell Taylor is also a minister in the American Baptist Church.

About Adam Russell Taylor

Adam Russell Taylor has worked in many important roles before joining Sojourners. He was a vice president at World Vision U.S., a group that helps people around the world. He also led the Faith Initiative at the World Bank Group, which works to end poverty.

From 2009 to 2010, he was a White House Fellow. This is a special program where young leaders work in the White House. He also studied at Emory University, the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.

Leading Sojourners

Adam Russell Taylor became the president of Sojourners in November 2020. He is the first person to lead the organization since its founder, Jim Wallis. He is also the first African-American president of Sojourners. Before becoming president, he was the chair of their board and a senior director.

As president, Adam Russell Taylor often speaks at colleges, churches, and other events. He shares his ideas about faith and social justice.

Working for Change

Adam Russell Taylor's work focuses on many important issues. These include:

• Racial justice: Making sure everyone is treated fairly, no matter their race.
• Economic justice: Helping people have fair chances to succeed and escape poverty.
• Voting rights: Protecting the right for everyone to vote.
• Global development and human rights: Helping people in other countries and protecting basic human rights.
• Immigration: Working on fair policies for people who move to new countries.

He also works to build what Martin Luther King Jr. called the "Beloved Community." This is a vision of a society where everyone lives in peace and harmony.

He is part of groups like the Circle of Protection. This group includes many church leaders who work to fight poverty and hunger. In 2021, they asked the government to provide more help during the COVID-19 crisis. Taylor said it was a "moral obligation" to help people during the pandemic. He also helps with the Faiths4Vaccines campaign, which encourages people to get vaccines.

Black Lives Matter

After the death of George Floyd, Adam Russell Taylor spoke out. He wrote about his feelings as a father of two Black sons, saying he couldn't accept a system that often treated Black people unfairly. In June 2020, he criticized then-President Donald Trump for using force against peaceful protestors.

In July 2021, Taylor suggested a "modern-day equivalent of the Freedom Summer." This was a time in history when people worked hard to register Black voters. He felt that American democracy was at risk.

Elections and Their Impact

Adam Russell Taylor helped lead Sojourners' Lawyers & Collars program. This program brought together faith leaders to protect voting rights during elections. They also served as a calming presence at voting places. On Election Day in 2020, he worked as a poll chaplain in Philadelphia.

After the 2020 United States presidential election, Taylor said he looked forward to working with the new government. He hoped they would address the pandemic, racism, economic fairness, and climate change.

Following the 2021 United States Capitol attack, Taylor said it was a "wake-up moment" for many. He felt it showed the danger of white supremacy and Christian nationalism. The day after the attack, he and Jim Wallis called for President Trump to be removed from office.

Personal Life

Adam Russell Taylor is married to Sharee Mckenzie Taylor. They have two children. He is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and is involved in ministry at the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA.