Al Taylor headshot

Assemblymember

Al Taylor

Assembly District 71

Welcome Letter

Greetings to one and all!

Welcome to my official Assembly website. It is an honor to represent the 71st District, covering the vibrant communities of Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood. Since taking office in a special election in 2017, I have been committed to addressing the issues that matter most to our neighborhoods and working toward solutions that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

As Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore, I am privileged to serve on several key committees: Banks, Cities, Education, Election Law, Labor, and Rules. These committees allow me to work on critical issues that impact our community, from ensuring access to affordable housing and economic opportunities, to improving our educational systems and advocating for fair labor practices.

Throughout my legislative career, I have worked diligently to make sure that the voices of our community are heard in Albany. My focus has been on tackling issues such as public safety, economic opportunity, civil rights, and veteran services, while ensuring that our schools, healthcare systems, and housing remain accessible and equitable for everyone.

While serving as pastor of Infinity Mennonite Church in Harlem, I have always been guided by a commitment to integrity, compassion, and justice. These values influence my leadership in the Assembly and drive my dedication to serving the diverse needs of our community. My work is rooted in the principles of fairness and service to others, which continue to guide my efforts to make a meaningful difference in our district.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve you in Albany and for your continued trust in my leadership. Together, we will continue to make progress, tackle challenges, and create lasting change in Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we move forward!

Biography

Assemblymember Al Taylor

Assemblymember Al Taylor has represented New York’s 71st Assembly District, covering Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood, since 2017. Before being elected to the Assembly in a special election in the fall of 2017, Al Taylor served as Chief of Staff to legendary former Assemblyman Herman “Denny” Farrell, Jr., and as District Leader. With over 20 years of advocacy experience, Al has worked tirelessly to address issues such as public safety, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, civil rights, and veteran services.

In 2008, Al founded the Man Up! in Harlem program, which was created to combat the rise in gun-related violence in his neighborhood. Through weekly prayer walks at the Polo Grounds’ Rucker Park, the program fostered dialogue between residents and leaders and is credited with significantly reducing violence in the area. The program has since been replicated in other Upper Manhattan housing projects.

As part of his commitment to addressing violence and fostering peace, Assemblyman Taylor walked 780 miles to Chicago in the “It’s A Love Thing Always” event to inspire communities to work toward peace. He also mobilized his community to act after the tragic murder of Islan Nettles, a transgender woman from Harlem, and has been a leader in the fight against bigotry and hatred.

In his legislative career, Assemblymember Taylor has introduced and supported several key pieces of legislation that have been signed into law. These include a law requiring childcare services to adopt anaphylaxis policies to protect children with severe allergies, as well as legislation creating the Law Enforcement Misconduct Investigative Office to ensure accountability in cases of police misconduct. He has also passed legislation to clarify emergency response protocols for incidents involving lithium-ion batteries, and the “Make Voting Easy Act”, which mandates that counties designate early voting polling places based on registered voter populations.

Assemblymember Taylor has focused on issues such as fighting for our children, with initiatives to improve access to education and mental health support in schools, particularly for children living in temporary housing. He has also worked on public safety, advocating for policies to improve law enforcement accountability and reduce violence.

As a passionate advocate for civil rights, Al Taylor has introduced and supported legislation aimed at addressing racial disparities and promoting equity in housing, education, and healthcare. He has also worked extensively on veteran services, ensuring that military families and veterans have access to the support they need.

Al is also the pastor of Infinity Mennonite Church in Harlem, where he combines his faith leadership with his work in the Assembly. He earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Northeastern Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Nyack College Alliance Theological Seminary, and a B.A. in Public Communication from Lehman College.

Married for over 20 years to his wife, Gwendolyn, Al is the father of five children: Tiffany, Tameka, Ashley, Stefani, and Brandon. Al resides in Northern Manhattan, where he continues to dedicate himself to both his community and his faith.

District Map