Gary Heyward describes the cultural pressure in Harlem to pursue stable government work as a path to escape urban poverty.

“in order to quote unquote make it make it out the the urban environment is you get yourself a city or state job and you do 20 30 years get a pension and during that course of time you can move your family to a better neighborhood go to better schools Etc like that”

His upbringing in Harlem provided a strong foundation of confidence rather than pressure in his career path.

“I think it gave me more of a confidence to to be a part of the group of names that you said instead of really having pressure because, you know, when I'm everywhere I go, I'm waving a flag of of Harlem.”