(ATLANTA, GA) -- A year after his death, Cornelius Taylor’s life is not forgotten.
Taylor was killed on Jan.16 when the Department of Public Works was conducting street sweeping and didn’t check Taylor’s tent on Old Wheat St. OpGov.ai reported the tragedy back in October.
How is Taylor’s life being remembered?
Multiple organizations in Atlanta have come together to create Grief for Action, a series of events taking place from Jan.16-20.
The Housing Justice League, Black Women’s Lab, Comfort Arms Inc, American Friends Service Committee, and the Cornelius Taylor Coalition are showing their support.
The organizations have a strong relationship with each other.
“We have regular meetings where we meet together,” Atlanta Economic Justice program director at American Friends Service Committee, Tim Franzen said. “We work together. We build together.”
Franzen shared the news about Grief for Action on Facebook.
(Photo Credit: American Friends Service Committee Website)
OpGov.ai was able to interview Franzen, the Black Women’s Lab, and Comfort Arms Inc.
Franzen and his team have been advocating to change Old Wheat St, the site of Taylor’s death, to Cornelius Taylor Street. Progress has been made.
“Kelsey Bond, who is a newly elected council member for district two, has made the decision to champion this piece of legislation and has written it,t and we'll carry it,” Franzen said.
Franzen believes Taylor’s death could have been avoided.
"In that urgency and haste, they failed to check tents,” Franzen said. “There were a lot of people sleeping in tents that day, Cornelius just happened to be the first tent that the back loader hit, and his screams stopped that.”
Like Franzen, Black Women’s Lab was critical of Taylor’s death.
(Photo Credit: Black Women’s Lab Instagram)
“The death of Cornelius Taylor represents not only a personal tragedy, but a systemic failure that deeply affects Black, unhoused, and marginalized people in Atlanta,” Black Women’s Lab said.
Black Women’s Lab, founded in 2021, chose to participate in Grief for Action because their work is rooted in care, justice, and accountability for Black communities.
The organization cares about Taylor.
“It is important to honor Cornelius Taylor because his life mattered,” Black Women’s Lab said. “Remembering Cornelius affirms the dignity and humanity of people who are often ignored or dehumanized.”
The anniversary of Taylor’s death will be celebrated on Old Wheat St at 6 p.m. on the 16, and food distribution will be provided at Welcome House from 12-3 p.m. on the 17.
A MLK Parade demonstration will take place on Jackson and Auburn at 1 p.m. on Jan. 19, and the final day calls to pack City Hall at noon on Jan. 20.
The MLK Parade plays a significant role in connection with Taylor’s death.
“Cornelius was treated like a piece of trash by the city that needed to be discarded in time for a holiday celebration,” Franzen said. “And you know the cruel irony was that it was Dr. King's celebration.”
Comfort Arms Inc Executive Director TL Hamilton detailed his organization’s involvement in Grief for Action.
(Photo Credit: TL Hamilton LinkedIn)
Hamilton’s organization will provide food boxes to the Welcome House, where some of the men and women are housed, through Grief for Action. Comfort Arms Inc will also cook hot meals for the events.
Hamilton detailed his relationship with Franzen.
“I met Tim outside of Ebenezer Baptist Church on the day of Cornelius Taylor's funeral,” Hamilton said.
Franzen respects Comfort Arms Inc and wanted the organization to help with Grief for Action.
“Tim has reached out to us personally to ask us to partner with Grief for Action for several events now,” Hamilton said. “He trusts that we will show up and that we are going to serve with love.”
Comfort Arms Inc hearts go out to Taylor’s family and the unhoused community.
OpGov.ai reached out to the Housing Justice League and didn’t receive a response.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact jorden.h@lead4earth.org.
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