Mr. Akinyela Sawa Taylor

Akinyela Sawa Taylor was born to Gwendolyn and the late Tommy Taylor, Jr. on February 19, 1976 in Los Angeles, California. As a talented youth, he enjoyed running and playing football. He graduated from Dominguez High School in Compton, California in 1994. He went on to college on a football scholarship where he met his wife Keiza Celine Cooper in 1997 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. They married the next year, and to their union, 4 children were born. They lived in Long Beach, California for short time before relocating to St. Louis, Missouri in 1999. Akinyela would join the military Air National Guard soon after. He also went on to get an associates degree in Aerospace Technology, a Bachelor's degree on History and Master's degree in Education.

As part of the 157th AOG (Air Operations Group) at Jefferson Barracks in South St. Louis County, he was a JICO (Joint Interface Control Officer) who earned the Outstanding Airmen of the Year award, the Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Missouri National Guard Commendation Ribbon, to name just a few awards earned. In addition, his efforts increased the unit's capabilities to communicate significantly by acquiring the appropriate equipment and performing relevant missions that sustained its operations to this day.

He developed the base-wide Junior Enlisted Council to encourage leadership among the newly enlisted airmen and help them navigate their newfound positions. Akinyela also established the annual Family Day to encourage and support families of deployed military personnel and give them a video opportunity to communicate with their loved ones (back when it was a technological challenge). He chose to be honorably discharged in 2012.

As a civilian, he pursued his passion to teach History and related subjects, and coach football and track, landing himself in a few high schools in northern St. Louis County and East St. Louis, IL. His heart for his students was evident as he was dedicated to showing up and inspiring them to be successful. As this became most challenging, not due to the students, in his last few years, Akinyela spent his days writing and researching. He decided to focus on his relationship with God, rededicating his life to the Lord. He began to understand the Lord is everything and He was the one who kept him and brought him through the mire.

Akinyela passed away April 17, 2025 while in Belize. He is survived by his wife, Keiza, their four children, Aleynika, Kylon, Aurelius and Koa; his mother, Gwendolyn Taylor; his brothers and sisters, Nicole, Tasheila, Thomas, Shonta, Khara, and Jasmine; his nieces and nephews,TaShanell, Larry, Devan, Leondre, Dennis, Jer'kharia, Jerome, Jahmel, Khardijhea, Darius, Sahara, Immanuel, Jocelyn, Jaiden, Kamberlin, and Alondra, and much-loved family Aubrey and the rest of the Relfs, and Yoadan.