Riqia E. Taylor

Chair

Riqia E. Taylor is from Newport News, Virginia, where she was a member of the Newport News Human Rights Commission during her sophomore, junior, and senior years at Warwick High School. She currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, and is known in her community as an educator, Human Rights Commissioner, and storyteller.

One of Riqia's greatest accomplishments was her role as a leading force in establishing a Human Rights Commission in Richmond. With the help of Richmond's City Council in creating a Task Force and the subsequent passing of a bona fide ordinance, Riqia's persistence led to the former capital of the Confederacy and one of Virginia's largest cities without a Human Rights Commission finally receiving one in June of 2018.

Riqia is motivated by her faith and a quote by theologian Howard Thurman, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Her long-standing history of leadership and support to the community helps her toward her goal of making her community a place that exemplifies unity, humanity, and respect for all.

What does human rights mean to you?

I believe that at the core of human rights is "the platinum rule", treat others how they wish to be treated. We should remember this in every decision we make and in every action we take.