Taylor headshot

Emerson Fellow

Kate Taylor

17th Class, 2010-2011

Kate Taylor is a Chicago native and a 2010 graduate of Brown University, with a degree in history and Africana studies. She completed her honors thesis in Africana studies examining extreme police violence in Chicago in relation to historical forms of racism. Kate managed a nonprofit student-run café, organized food drives, and worked on education and juvenile justice issues. She is particularly interested in examining and addressing the impact of race and racism relating to poverty and the justice system.

Field placement: Main Street Project

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Kate created a guide documenting the new approach to sustainable and inclusive farming developed by the Rural Enterprise Center in Northfield, Minnesota. She interviewed participants and other community members in order to document the farming system, programs and processes in Northfield so that other rural areas in the region would have the tools to utilize, implement and adapt the approach in their communities.

Policy placement: Justice Policy Institute

Washington, D.C.

Kate researched public defense systems across the states and in the District of Columbia and wrote a report based on her findings. It includes information gleaned from interviews with Public Defenders, people who have used Public Defender Services and other experts in order to more fully understand the connection between poverty and the justice system.

Publications