Dr. Quintard Taylor, the esteemed historian, educator, and founder of BlackPast.org, died peacefully on Sept. 21 in Houston, Texas. He was 77.
Dr. Taylor launched BlackPast in 2007 with a vision to make African American and global African history freely accessible to the public. Under his leadership, the nonprofit became the world’s largest online encyclopedia dedicated to Black history, engaging more than 64 million users since its founding. A longtime champion of equity, inclusion, and education, Dr. Taylor’s work helped preserve and amplify Black stories across generations.
“His work will live on in the minds of those who have learned from him and will continue to light the way for those who seek a better understanding of the world,” said Douglas Bender, board president of BlackPast. “Personally, I’m forever grateful that he was my brother and my friend…and allowed me the incredible opportunity to share in the work that lifted his vision. It has been a joy…and it is not done.”…