KANNAPOLIS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Kannapolis City Council renamed East C. Street in honor of the late Milton Taylor, an influential educator and leader in Rowan and Cabarrus counties.
After completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Taylor began his career as a teacher and coach. In 1965, he became the first African American principal of George Washington Carver School, later renamed Kannapolis Middle School.
Taylor played a significant role in integrating Kannapolis schools. He believed that “one of the best ways to get to know children is to do things with them.”
Even after he retired, he continued to support students in math and science as one of the founding members of the University of North Carolina Charlotte’s NC Mathematics and Science Education Network.
Aside from education, Taylor was deeply involved in civic activities. He was recognized as the Teacher of the Year for Kannapolis City Schools and received a Presidential Citation from North Carolina A&T State University.
He also served on the Board of Directors for several organizations, holding leadership positions in many cases, including the South Rowan Optimist Club (President), the South Rowan Community Service Council (Vice-President), the Cannon Memorial YMCA (President), the Kannapolis Rotary Club (President), the Cabarrus County American Red Cross, the Bible Teaching Association, Cabarrus County Meals on Wheels, Cabarrus County HelpLine, Inc., Cabarrus Workshop (President), Kannapolis Crime Stoppers, the Fesperman’s “Y” Men Club (president), Barber-Scotia College Unit of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and the Kannapolis Student Loan, Inc.
He also served on the steering committees for Leadership Kannapolis, the George Shinn Golf Classic, the Fieldcrest Cannon Foundation Scholarships, and the Kannapolis City Schools’ Teacher of the Year committee. He also served as the Chairman of the Northern Piedmont Cluster YMCA.
Taylor was also a trustee for Sandy Ride AME Zion Church and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and he received the “Man of the Year” award in 1978, 1984 and 1992. HE was the first African American Lieutenant Governor for Kannapolis Rotary Club district, where he received the Paul Harris Fellow Award.
