MADISON, Wis.— At his home in Madison, retired professor Dr. Charles Taylor stays busy. 

"I have worked 12 hour days for the last 6 months," Taylor said.

What You Need To Know

  • ​A retired Wisconsin professor and filmmaker is shedding light on the many Black leaders whose contributions to Madison have gone unnoticed for decades

  • "The Black renaissance is strictly a reawaking of the Black community in Madison to benefit the entire community," said Dr. Charles Taylor

  • Taylor's film profiles 37 of Madison's influential Black leaders.​

Taylor is still teaching people about diversity, yet this time it's through his recent documentary, "Leaders of Madison's Black Renaissance."

"The Black renaissance is strictly a reawaking of the Black community in this case in Madison to benefit the entire community," Taylor said. 

Taylor said it's the first time in Madison's history that there has been this many Black elected officials on its school board and city council including Madison's police chief and superintendant. 

Taylor's film profiled 37 of Madison's influential Black leaders.

"I wanted to know why is this happening and who is involved in making it happen," Taylor said.

For Taylor, "Leaders of Madison's Black Renaissance" is a labor of love.

"It's ready to go to present to the public and the topic is timely. The people I interviewed are knowledgeable and committed and I think the community is going to be impressed by the talent that exists in this community," Taylor said.​