TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Emerson V. Steele 1977-2022 Project Manager E merson V. Steele (Alpha Xi 1996) entered the Chapter Invisible on November 30, 2022. Emer- son Vonshaun Steele was
Nicholas R. Taylor
1981- 2024 Sales
“AFTER WATCHING A DEAR FRIEND TURN THEIR LIFE AROUND, STEELE HAD A CALLING TO THE MINISTRY.”
Professional, Entrepreneur T he St. Louis (MO) Alumni mourns the loss of Brother Nicho- las R. Taylor (St. Louis (MO) Alumni 2023), who entered the Chapter Invisible on Sep- tember 4, 2024. Nicholas Ramon Taylor was born to Raymond Taylor and Ruth Norman Taylor in St. Louis, MO on May 4, 1981. Following graduation from St. Louis County’s Hazelwood Central High School, Taylor attended Florida A. & M. University (FAMU), where he grad- uated in 2004. While a FAMU student, he worked in sales for EA Sports. After graduation, he worked shortly for Enterprise Leas- ing as an Assistant Manager before transitioning to Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals as a Senior Diabetes Sales Representative. Novo recog- nized Taylor with its “Circle
born December 12, 1977, in Jacksonville, FL, to Emerson, Sr. and Debora Steele. He grew up alongside his sister, Shaquana. As a child, he attended St. Joseph’s Baptist Church where he was in the youth choir, a member of Young Men of Christ, he was an usher, and the vice pres- ident of the youth ministry. After graduating high school, Steele attended Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee, FL, where he graduated in 1999 with a B.S. degree in civil engineering with a minor in architecture. After graduating from FAMU, Steele began his professional career with Hensel Phelps Construction Company. His first project was FCI–Butner, where he was a field engineer. He worked his way up to project manager, spending 14 years as a project manager, work- ing on notable projects such as the Donald W. Reynolds
Center for American Art & Portraiture, T.C. Williams High School, Columbia Place Hotel and Apartments, and the Washington DC Con- vention Center Alternate Care Facility. Steele was also an avid supporter of Hensel Phelps’ young employ- ees, participating in the orientation for new hires, supporting the Diversity and Inclusion Team, and assisting in recruiting. A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Steele joined the Dulles-Leesburg (VA) AL Chapter, where he served the chapter as Keeper of Records and Second Vice-Polemarch. After watching a dear friend turn their life around, Steele had a calling to the ministry. This calling
subsequently led him to become a Mt. Olive Baptist Church trustee. From there, he became a deacon, elder, and pastor at New Wine- skins Covenant Fellowship. Steele participated in many ministries, including men’s counseling. Steele and his wife, Yvette, worked closely with their non-profit, Just A Diva Encouraging Ministries (JADE), where Yvette is the founder and visionary and Emerson as the chief financial officer. Preceded in death by his father, Brother Emerson V. Steele is survived by his wife of 14 years, Yvette; six children – Shante’ (Kahlil), Pierre (LaShell), Jah’naye, Brandon, Emerson, and Steven. ♦
SPRING 2024 ♦ THE JOURNAL 51
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