National Convening Program Books 2016 YEO National Convening Program Book | Page 78

YEO Bios
BYRON STANLEY Commissioner
Riverdale, Illinois

Commissioner Byron Stanley was appointed to the Riverdale Park District Board of
Commissioners in January 2015 and elected to the board in April 2015. He is a lifelong resident
of Riverdale and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Chicago State University.
Stanley is currently a graduate student at Governors State University pursuing a master’s degree in
public administration. He is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Before serving as
a commissioner, Stanley previously served the Riverdale community in many roles including vice
president of the Riverdale Youth Advisory Board, member of the Riverdale Historical Society,
and member of R.O.C. (Riverdale Organizing for Change). Byron is committed to the positive
development of youth and believes this is the responsibility of a strong, vibrant park district. He
believes that the success of the Riverdale Park District is vital to the redevelopment of the Village
of Riverdale and plans to ensure Riverdale residents are proud of their investment.

DEANNA TAYLOR School Board Member
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Deanna Taylor is a native of Fayetteville, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina
Central University with a B.S. in criminal justice with a concentration in community and
corrections. While there, Taylor was a student athlete for the cheerleading team. She began
serving her community through her work in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County school system.
Taylor worked with students, teaching them reading and comprehension skills, and mentored
young women while serving as a high school cheerleading coach. Taylor is a parent advocate and
has served on the Parent Teacher Association board, where she helped to raised funds to purchase
school supplies and equipment within district schools. She was elected to the Winston-Salem/
Forsyth County School Board in 2014. Taylor currently serves as a member of the Curriculum
Committee, Policy Committee, Finance Committee, and Grievance Committee. She is married
to City Councilman James Taylor, Jr., and they have three children.

JAMES TAYLOR City Council Member
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

James Taylor was elected in 2009 to the Winston-Salem City Council, where he currently serves
as the chair of the Public Safety Committee and a member of the Public Works Committee.
A dedicated father and community advocate, Taylor’s professional career has been centered on
working with the youth in his community through the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club,
the Salvation Army Community Corrections Center, the Department of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention, Juvenile Drug Treatment Court, and Winston-Salem State University.
Taylor was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and is a proud product of the
Forsyth County public schools. He graduated cum laude from North Carolina Central University
with a B.S. in criminal justice. He was a three-year letterman and student athlete for his
university’s football team.

76

YEO BIOS