Syda Segovia Taylor, M.A. Email & Phone Number

Syda Segovia Taylor is the founder and executive director of Organic Oneness, a grassroots social justice organization that brings people together to eliminate racism and create healthy communities in Chicago. Together with her board members, countless volunteers, and multitude of community partners, she convenes a community building process that identifies solutions and generates events to promote racial and environmental justice. Syda also encourages everyone to care for themselves as they transform society and provides "Fortress of Wellness" trainings for social activists and caregivers to prevent burn-out, illness, and compassion fatigue.Ms. Taylor is a fellow in the second cohort for Culture of Health Leadership Institute for Racial Healing, a part of the Interfaith America Emerging Leaders Fellowship, a National Partner for the Be the Healing Movement with Joy DeGruy Publications, on the executive committee for the Greater Bronzeville Community Action Council, and served on the Bahá’í Local Spiritual Assembly in Chicago for five consecutive years; a nine-member administrative body that helps strengthen the spiritual and social fabric of community life. Syda has been featured on various podcasts, media outlets, and was recently on the final episode of “This is Life” with Lisa Ling promoting interracial marriages. In 2012, she won the Together for Tomorrow award from the U.S. Department of Education during the Obama administration and was also recognized by the former Mayor of Chicago, Rahm Emmanuel, for her accomplishments with the Elev8 nation-wide initiative started by Atlantic Philanthropies.She has been a justice advocate all her life and has over 25 years of practical experience connecting Black and Latinx youth and families to opportunities with city agencies and non-profits. Her education matches her experience with an M.A. Community Development & Social Justice degree from Loyola University, a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Youth Development Practitioner Certification from the Chicago Area Project, and an Advocacy Training Certificate from the Chicago Foundation for Women.With her father from Honduras and mother from Colombia, she considers herself a world citizen and promotes the oneness of humankind. As a breast cancer survivor, she underwent severe surgeries and treatments from 2008-2014 which strengthened her deep connection to the earth, healthy eating, and fierce courage to fulfill her purpose of advancing humanity towards peace and unity.