Bo Taylor Tribute

A man like Bo Taylor is rare and his loss continues to be felt by the entire Los Angeles Community.

Bo Taylor was unique in his belief that people, neighborhoods and communities could change for the better. He could visualize hope. He also had a unique faith in all people's ability to grow and improve. He saw these qualities in every person he met. He also had the courage to advocate for improvement in all people. Because of this, he changed lives and mended some of the most dangerous communities plagued by continual violent crime.

Bo's mission was to bring peace to all individuals and to the communities where they live. He focused on changing people's lives for the better. He believed that every person should have that chance to live a full, meaningful life. Bo also felt all individuals should have the ability to prosper without adversity and un-warranted violence.

Bo believed in the power of change because he experienced it in his own life. Once a perpetrator of gang violence, he had a spiritual awakening that called him to change his own course. During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, he was instrumental in brokering a peace agreement. Soon after, he founded UNITY ONE, an organization that works in the community on gang intervention and prevention.

"Bo was a unique individual that we all will miss very much. He had a way of reaching out to individuals in a manner that I have never witnessed before. Very few people never really understood the sacrifices Bo made and most people never understood the challenges Bo dealt with on a daily basis. Bo would often deplete his resources to meet the urgent needs of others," said LeChein Taylor, Bo's Brother and Executive Director of UNITY ONE.

Bo was rare in his ability to communicate with all people. His gift helped him found a long-term friendship with Pete Carroll and together they founded A BETTER LA, an organization that works to reduce gang violence and empower change.

"Bo was an extraordinary, unique leader who was able to cross an entire landscape of what was happening in the inner city. People related to him, drew on his expertise and respected his opinion in an amazing fashion. No matter who he talked to or where he went, he could relate in a way that made people connect. This gift allowed him to be the integral part of his intervention work and an overall attitude change," said Pete Carroll. "He was amazing and meant everything to me."

In August 2008, Los Angeles lost one of its uniquely brave citizens. While Bo is missed by all who knew him, his legacy will live on forever. His message of peace will continue in the work of UNITY ONE and A BETTER LA. Bo also passed on his belief in change and his ability to see the best in those around us. He knocked down walls and opened lines of communication. With these gifts he left for us, it is our responsibility to carry on his legacy and continue his work.