Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection

With more than 30 years of experience with IBEW Local 1, Sylvester Taylor broadens opportunity in the electrical/communication technology industry as director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the IBEW/NECA Electrical Connection partnership.  Through career fairs and other engagements, Taylor connects young people in the region with the IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center of which a third of its apprentices are minorities. Taylor also helps advance electrical/communication infrastructure improvements in underserved communities in the St. Louis area. Taylor is recording secretary for IBEW Local 1 and for the past 19 years has been the voice of minority workers as the co-founder and current president of IBEW’s Electrical Workers Minority Caucus. 

Taylor was named Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S Department of Labor.  He has received a number of accolades including being named one of the St. Louis Business Journal’s  “Champions for Diversity and Inclusion” and saluted with a 2023 Leadership Award from North County Inc.  His service to the north St. Louis County region includes treasurer of the Hazelwood School Board and service on the board of the Black Jack Fire Protection District.  He is a mentor for the Missouri Division of Youth Services, providing guidance for those the agency serves and encouraging young people to consider a career in the trades.