Georgetown University Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities

Along with two other Georgetown alumni, friends and mentors, John D. Kemp (’71) and Mike Marshall (’95, ’05), I co-hosted the 3rd Georgetown University Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities on November 22 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC. This conference examined the challenges and opportunities in the area of employment of people with disabilities and allow Georgetown University the opportunity to recognize individuals who have contributed to greater freedom and independence for people with disabilities over the past two decades.

John, Mike and I were thrilled to present the Georgetown University Human Spirit Award to Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Randy Lewis, former Senior Vice President of Walgreens. The group was delighted to have Fox News Chief White House Correspondent Ed Henry serve as the Master of Ceremonies and guide the conference along to the three expert panels that focused on Information and Communication Technology, Disability Employment Policy and Law and Wounded Warriors and Work.

Thank you to Georgetown University, our award recipients, sponsors, expert panelists and everyone that attended for making this conference as successful as it was! 

Fight Night DC 2013

Let's Get Ready to Rumble! On November 14, I joined friends Alan, Jason and Jarred Zuccari at Fight Night DC 2013, a prominent DC event that raised over $4 million to benefit Fight For Children, which provides education and healthcare services to children in need. The night featured live boxing matches and was filled with a John Legend performance, cigars and tuxedos! Those closest to me know that I always enjoy putting on my tux, but have that much more fun when it’s for a function with friends! 

Emily Bock runs NYC Marathon

Talk about an amazing friend! Almost two years ago, one of my best friends, Emily Bock, decided that she wanted to run in the NYC Marathon as a member of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's (CDRF) Team Reeve in honor of me and to raise awareness for individuals trying to regain mobility. On November 3, Emily accomplished her goal! Even though the 2012 NYC marathon was canceled due to Hurricane Sandy, Emily decided that she wanted to continue training and fundraising for the 2013 Marathon. After being one of CDRF’s top fundraisers for the 2012 race, Emily raised over $4,000 prior to the 2013 race.

Thank you Emily for your friendship, dedication, inspiration, and fundraising efforts! I loved cheering Emily on, alongside friends and Emily's mom and sister, but there was not a more special moment that day than the first time I hugged Emily following her crossing the finish line! 

DC Modern Luxury Magazine’s The Power of Philanthropy

I was honored and humbled to be featured in DC Modern Luxury Magazine’s November issue in a piece entitled The Power of Philanthropy, a “spotlight on the next generation of philanthropists who are establishing themselves and their causes as remarkable examples of passion and persistence.” You can read the full write-up in the Press section of this site!

Operation Smile’s 2013 International Student Leadership Conference

I was thrilled to be one of the featured speakers at the 2013 Operation Smile International Student Leadership Conference. Over 500 students from 24 countries gathered at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, for the 5-day event where students were educated on the value of service within their communities and developed their skills as future philanthropic leaders.

As I shared the story of my accident and how I have dealt with overcoming adversity, it was awesome to see a large contingent of students from Delbarton, which is where I went to high school. Operation Smile and Delbarton have had a long history and numerous students have gone on Operation Smile missions all around the world.

Finally Joins Instagram

After much convincing from friends and my sister, I finally took the plunge and joined Instagram! Feel free to follow me @tprice0826

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Advocate

Taylor was recently featured on the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s Advocacy page on their website.  See below:

On July 8, 2004, then 18 year old Taylor Price, was involved in a catastrophic accident, while vacationing with his family on Long Island. After diving into the ocean and hitting his chin on a hidden sandbar, he was instantly rendered a C5-C6 quadriplegic. He spent eleven days at Stony Brook University Hospital, before being moved to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, GA, where he participated in extensive physical and occupational therapies over four months.

In the fall of 2005, Taylor began studying at Georgetown University where he majored in finance and marketing. Despite his disability, he was one of the most “active” and visible people on campus. During his undergraduate years, Taylor served as the student representative on Georgetown’s Board of Directors for two years, was involved in Georgetown University’s Student Association, co-founded one of the largest scholarship funds at Georgetown in memory of a friend’s father, and is one of Georgetown’s biggest sports fans . Taylor received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration as a member of the class of 2010, graduating cum laude.

Taylor had an amazing opportunity to intern for The White House, in the spring of 2010, as a member of The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. His responsibilities included communicating directly with mayors nationwide regarding the President’s agenda and local priorities, preparing briefing materials for senior staff meetings, and assisting with events.

On the advocacy front, Taylor spoke on Capitol Hill in 2005 to help introduce the “Employer Worker Incentive Act for Individuals with Severe Disabilities” alongside Senators Bob Dole, Ted Kennedy and Pat Roberts. Furthermore, Taylor was a co-founder of the Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities hosted by Georgetown University. The conference is designed to examine the public policy choices and the business and technological challenges and opportunities that affect the employment of people with disabilities.

View on Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Georgetown University Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities

On October 12, 2010, Georgetown University hosted the Conference on Employment of People with Disabilities to examine the challenges and opportunities in the area of employment of people with disabilities. Held in the Rafik B. Hariri Building of the McDonough School of Business, the conference featured two panels focusing on public policy, business and technology and the effect on disability employment. Panelists represented IBM, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Federal Communications Commission, Autism Society of America, American Foundation for the Blind, AMC Entertainment Inc., the Financial Services Roundtable and US Business Leadership Network.

At the conference, organizers presented Congressman Tony Coelho with the Human Spirit Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the independence and employment of people with disabilities. He was the original House of Representatives sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and remains an advocate for the employment of people with disabilities. Furthermore, guests of the conference were privileged to hear Legendary ABC Newsman Sam Donaldson serve as the event’s emcee.

The committee that spearheaded this conference included Georgetown alumni Taylor Price (‘10), John Kemp (’71), Michael Marshall (’95, ’05) and Cameron Lynch, along with Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development’s Dr. Toby Long and Toni Brathwaite-Fisher. They look forward to next year’s conference.