Parker Taylor served as president of the Niles chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for 25 years, from the early 1950s to the mid-1970s.

The Niles man will be recognized for his work with the NAACP on Saturday, April 25, during the Niles NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet at the Greater Niles Senior Center.

Taylor, who will turn 99 Sunday, worked 32 years as a chauffer for Clark Equipment. He has one daughter, Carol Taylor-Fowler, who lives in Niles, five grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.

On Wednesday, Taylor took a few minutes to talk about his time as president, the current state of race relations and the key to a long life.

 

How did you get involved with the NAACP?

I grew up with the NAACP. When I was 12 years old my mother was involved and I was in the youth division. I was in Chicago at the time. I moved to Niles in 1929.

 

What are your thoughts on the current state of race relations?

They are much better than they were when I was a youngster. There is a lot more freedom in where you can go and what you can do now than back then.

When I was president we had problems here that finally got straightened out. We had a problem with the skating rink and a few restaurants here. At the skating rink, you (black people) could not go out and skate. They gave you one day, but that wasn’t sufficient enough. We finally got that changed. There were a couple restaurants that wouldn’t serve you (black people). That changed too during my presidency.

 

What accomplishment are you most proud of during your presidency?

Well, I don’t know. Maybe working with the school system to get (black) teachers in there. It gives the black students the idea that if they do their job and learn that they would have the opportunity to teach the kids in the school system.

 

What did it mean to you to see Barack Obama elected as the first black U.S. president?

I thought with the changes that someday there might be one. I didn’t think I would live to see a black president, but I did finally see one. It is the same way with a woman president. Maybe someday there might be one and I might live long enough to see that.

I think he (Obama) is doing a good job. There is a lot of opposition to what he wants to do, but it will all pan out I think.

 

What is the key to living a long, healthy life?

That is a question I get a lot. I really can’t say. I don’t do anything extra. I don’t exercise a lot. I don’t smoke or drink. I try to eat proper food. The only thing I know is I wake up every morning. My grandkids keep me busy because they are in sports a lot.

 

Why is the NAACP an important organization?

It is very important to get the country together because it was separated for so long. 1908 is when it got started. From the time then to now it has changed this country tremendously in relationships. Without it I don’t know whether we would have the peace and quiet we have now.