The papers are comprised of reports, documents, and programs relating primarily to the education and career of John A. Taylor and to a lesser extent to his wife, Jerry Taylor, and to his daughter, Jerrilyn Z. Taylor. The collection dates from 1904 to 2018; the bulk of the collection dates from 1963 to 1978. There are date gaps from 1905 to 1940 and from 1949 to 1954. The papers are arranged alphabetically by topic. The earliest item in the collection is the 1904 Sumner High School diploma of Arthur T. Long (1884-1939), a teacher, brother of Lula (Long) Taylor and uncle of John A. Taylor (f.8). Jerry (Randall) Taylor is represented in the collection with her funeral program (f.10), high school graduation announcement, and a school safety patrol certificate (f.19). Items relating to Jerrilynn Taylor include her high school diploma (f.8), a program for Cotillion (f.16), and programs from Beaumont High School (f.2). There are several brochures and programs for community, school, and arts and theater events. It is unclear to whom these belonged but many post-date John A. Taylor’s death, indicating that the events were likely attended by Jerry and/or her daughter, Jerrilynn. Organizations represented include Better Family Life, the Universal African American Peoples Organization, the Coalition for Free Speech, The Ellen Reasonover Defense Fund, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the Vaughn Cultural Center, and the St. Louis Association of Black Psychologists. Programs for events include the South African AIDS memorial quilt, an African American Recognition Ceremony, and several local plays such as tribute to Malcolm X. Most of the collection relates to John A. Taylor’s career as an educator, a consultant and a local activist. It includes Taylor’s master thesis from 1948 and materials relating to the social studies department at Vashon High School. Materials relating to the desegregation of the St. Louis Public Schools include a 1955 report and a 1980 teaching packet. Other files relate to Taylor’s work as a consultant and as a community activist, such as a speech delivered before the 1964 elections in the city’s 28th ward. There are also files relating to the St. Louis Youth Service System Agency, police reform, and to a police-school liaison program. More community files concern a Comprehensive Plan for the City of St. Louis which recommended providing fewer services to failing neighborhoods mostly in north St. Louis, and reports and a flier opposing the plan. Consulting files concern the Citizen Participation Organization and the Pre-Trial Justice Program. There is also a file for work with the Model City Agency, which was later merged with other city agencies to form the Community Development Agency.