In November 2024, Tony Taylor celebrated his new job at a Pursuit Gong Ceremony on the steps of New York City Hall. These are his remarks.
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Council members, Pursuit Fellows & staff, and my City Council coworkers. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate this accomplishment with me.
Four years ago, I was a college dropout living in Jackson Heights, struggling to support my sick mother, sister, and nephew, while working as an overnight security guard. After work one morning, a friend who was working for a Council Member at the time offered me breakfast, encouragement, and some advice that changed my life. He mentioned an organization called Pursuit that helps determined individuals reach their untapped potential and talent.
At the time, I wasn’t ready to apply because I was not ready. But I did submit my email for their newsletter because I felt like there was something there.
So for two years I waited. For two years my friend who worked at the City Council kept telling me to apply. And for two years I got many, many, many marketing emails from Pursuit.
Then one day, with renewed discipline and motivation, I finally answered Pursuit’s call to take action in search of a better life.
Tony's Gong Ceremony on the steps of City Hall
Today, that dropout now stands before you as a software engineer for the New York City Council. I’m proud that every day, I get to write code that impacts the lives of millions of New Yorkers.
This journey wouldn’t be possible without the many people who supported me. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire Pursuit team. A special thanks to Jukay and Dave for creating such a transformative program that opens doors and opportunities.
I want to thank my instructors Raz, Steven, Na’taja Jordan & Khalid whose dedication and guidance were essential to my growth. I’m especially grateful to all the industry leaders and the tech professionals who volunteered at Pursuit. And thank you to Tim and Pak, for your ongoing mentorship and commitment to my career development; I’m thrilled to continue working together on both my professional and technical skills.
I would like to extend my thanks to my managers AL & John of the New York City Council and all of my web development coworkers, thank you for welcoming me into such a supportive environment. Your belief in me helps drive my motivation every day, and I’m excited to keep contributing, and growing, with you all.
I wish to also thank the biggest supporters of me, the two women that are the most important to me in my life.
First, my partner Rachelle Paras… who would constantly pick me up from the Pursuit office after class ended or from my late night shifts as a security guard. Who would help take me and my mother to doctor appointments. Who supported me financially when I couldn’t support myself. Who loved me and motivated me unconditionally, when I struggled in every way to love and push myself.
And most importantly, my mother Gianna Taylor, who is the main contributor to my success. Who emigrated from Colombia to New York City while pregnant with me, without knowing any English, in search of a better life.
My mother, who had to give up her hard-fought career to focus on being a full-time single mother. When my uncle began needing financial help raising me and my sister, you began working an overnight job while still taking us to school in the morning. I still remember how you would sneak food from work to bring home in the morning, and use your paychecks for my school trips, clothing and school supplies, all while you would go to bed hungry on most days.
I will continue to be your rock as you are mine. You are the wind beneath my wings, my singular source of willpower and motivation. Everything that has happened to me today is the culmination of your blood, sweat, and tears. I’m standing here today because my mother didn’t let anything stop her and passed that unrelenting will of hers onto me.
Someone once said, "Life doesn’t come with a manual; it comes with a mother." So with this in mind, I am ringing this gong not just for me, but for all the relentlessly hard working mothers who strive for nothing but the best for their children. Thank you.
And with that, I’ll ring the Gong.
Tony and his mom Gianna Taylor
