htothejizones

Today’s feature is a man named Jonathan Taylor. I met him a few years ago when he began working with my father at Station 6 in Des Moines, Iowa. Since that time I’ve come to know how much of an amazing person he is. He’s fantastic right from the first second you meet him. He’s kind, driven, and funny. I see big things in his future. This is his story:



Bio:
Jonathan Pierre-Maurice Taylor
From Council Bluffs, Iowa
Currently living in West Des Moines, Iowa

Jonathan grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa and went to Thomas Jefferson High School. He graduated in 2000 and then went on to study at Drake University. As a high school student he achieved many things in the realm of sports. A four sport athlete – football, track, wrestling, and power-lifting – who was a state qualifier in each, and he still graduated with a 3.64 GPA. He was also named the Council Bluffs Male Athlete of the Year in 2000.

When he got to Drake he was still on the road to success by staying focused on school while still excelling on the football field. He made the Dean’s List in 2003 and was also on the Athletic Director’s honor roll. This didn’t stop him from becoming a 1st-team all-conference and 1st-team all-American player either. At Drake University he joined the prestigious fraternity of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc and was named Brother of the Year (2008). After getting his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2005, he went back to Drake University in 2010 to begin working on his Master’s in Public Administration.

Philanthropically speaking, Jonathan gives his time to many worthy causes. He is currently active in Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc, Local #4: Des Moines Fire Department Union, Zeta Kappa Lambda Educational Foundation, and he sits on the Board of Dietetics for Iowa Gubernatorial Board of Commissions. From May 2006 – May 2007 he was a member of the Drake Black Men’s Alumni Association.

He also has an up to date coaching license. He was the varsity running back coach for Roosevelt High School from May 2004 – July 2005. He was a personal trainer for awhile and had an internship as a strength and conditioning coach at Drake University.

Jonathan has not stopped there. His full time job is working as a firefighter and paramedic for the Des Moines Fire Department (DMFD). He started at in 2005 and has been acquiring certifications to increase his skill set on the job. He was given a Letter of Commendation and a Certificate of Meritorious Service in March 2007.



Here is why Jonathan thinks Black History and Black History Month is important:

It’s important to not forget that we aren't that far removed from a segregated country. My mom was born in 1948 and remembers the civil rights movement very vividly; the dogs, the fire hoses, the oppression of the 50's and 60's and even into the 70's. My generation likes to think it happened a long time ago, but many fail to remember we are only a generation removed from it all.

Something else that is lost in Black History by the masses is the impact Black people have had on American history; just like every other culture, nationality, and ethnic group. With that being said, most people who aren't Black can trace their heritage back to a specific place, country, town, and/or village, which can’t be said for most Blacks. This is why the term African-American doesn't apply to all Black people.

Black History is a very vital and important part of American History that is lost in most everyday conversation. Open a history book and note the mention of Black people's involvement outside of the Civil Rights Movement; I have a hard time believing you will find much. We are a strong, vested, important, and significant part in the history of this country. In other words, to acknowledge Black History is to acknowledge American History.