The Janazah Service (funeral) for Leroy Joseph Baylor, radio talk show host and Amsterdam News contributor, was recently held at Unity Funeral Chapel in Harlem. Known as “The Communicator,” Baylor was a beloved member of the community and a registered member of the Nation of Islam since 1963.
According to information from his family, Baylor was born April 25, 1941, at Harlem Hospital, and was the youngest of four children of Emmett and Lillian Baylor, residing in Harlem on 148th–149th Avenue (Frederick Douglass Blvd.). He started his education at Resurrection Catholic Elementary School and later attended Cardinal Hayes High School, where he was the first of three generations of graduates. As the second-fastest runner in the city of New York, he earned a four-year scholarship to Manhattan College, where he received a B.S. in business and was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Baylor’s life in business included marketing, ad sales, product sales, public speaking, and sales training with the advertising firm JWT, Time Life, IBM, and Harlem Hospital. At the end of his career, he retired from The New York Times.
Bill Moore photos
In retirement, Baylor focused on his passion of pursuing information of importance to the Black community, including becoming a radio talk show host. He facilitated the Books that Matter broadcast on Manhattan Cable Network; was the radio host of The Communicators, Respect for Life, and the Guild Press Experience with recurring special guests; and Black Life in America, which featured guests such as Alton Maddox, Dr. Sebi, Dick Gregory, Shahrazad Ali, Les Brown, Dr. Velva Boles, and Amiri Baraka, to name a few.
Baylor is survived by his mother and family matriarch JoAnn Baylor; his children Kevin J. Baylor, Dedan Baylor, Aliyyah Baylor, Khalid Baylor, and Karim Baylor; grandchildren Krystofer Harris, Khalid Baylor Jr., Malachi Baylor, Danielle JoLee Monroe, and Kailey Josephine Baylor; and his partner Hafeesa Nettles and bonus son Jalal Nettles Kane, in addition to a host of nieces and nephews, including Gregory Baylor, Emmett Baylor III, Steven Baylor, Gladys Baylor, Renee Baylor, Hillary Baylor, Kristy Baylor, and Brent Baylor.
Baylor was preceded in death by his brothers Frank Baylor, Alvin G. Baylor, and Emmett Baylor Jr.; nieces Kathy and Shirley; and beloved grandson Kuwan Joseph Christian.