Marking this occasion, we are sharing reflections from Dannyelle Austin, Launchpad’s founding Executive Director and Antonio Archer, LiftOff graduate and speaker at the celebration on October 1

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Last month, we proudly celebrated Launchpad’s first-ever graduating class. It feels like just yesterday walking into high schools, sharing a dream of creating alternative pathways to high-paying careers and filling open tech jobs with Philly talent. Back then, AI wasn’t even part of the conversation. The world has shifted in ways we couldn’t have imagined, and yet, through every change, these young people have shown resilience, curiosity, and an impressive ability to solve problems creatively.

As our first cohort, they helped us build the plane while flying it, navigating the winds of uncertainty with courage and grace. In a future that feels unpredictable, one thing is clear: our graduates are not just prepared for what comes next, they are ready to shape it, redefine it, and lead us toward what’s possible.

And employers are noticing what we’ve always known: graduates like Archer are far outpacing the competition. One of them recently told me: “Your Launchpad students were some of the STRONGEST candidates we’ve had. And, we received over 200+ applications. I thought you should know how STRONG your students are showing up and outpacing the competition!”

When we invest in local talent, Philadelphia rises with them.

And, to our first cohort:  This moment belongs to you and the incredible village behind you: our advisory board, funders, families, mentors, and school partners who showed up in full force, even with twins in tow, to cheer you on. Thank you for saying yes, for believing in this vision from the start, and for trusting us with your potential.

— Dannyelle Austin

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Standing here today, I can honestly say that this program has been one of the most challenging, and most rewarding, experiences of my life so far. When I started, I knew I wanted to be a developer, but I didn’t realize just how much I would grow not only in technical skills, but as a person, and as a young professional.

Over the course of this program, I learned not just one programming language, but five of them, plus SQL. Each one came with its own way of thinking, its own syntax, and its own set of challenges. At times, it feels like learning a new spoken language over and over again confusing at first, but once it clicks, you start to see the world differently. I remember my first time creating a program all by myself. No help no assist, just the prompt and my text space. And now, instead of being afraid of new technologies, I look forward to picking them up, because I know I can.

But it wasn’t just about code. It was about learning how to be a professional. How to manage my time. How to communicate my ideas. How to ask the right questions. And sometimes, most importantly, how to admit when I didn’t know the answer, and then figure it out anyway.

Along the way, I had the privilege of meeting some truly amazing people like my Mentors Nick, Dannyelle and Rob. Classmates who pushed me to do better, and friends who reminded me to laugh even when debugging was driving me crazy like Zay, Kareem, Moh, Jaylen and Jamir. These connections are what made this journey special, and I know they’ll last far beyond this program.

So, what did I really learn here? Yes, I can write SQL queries and build apps in five different languages. But more than that, I learned confidence. I learned perseverance. I learned what it means to show up as a young professional, ready to learn, ready to contribute, and ready to grow.

As I graduate today, I don’t just see this as the end of a program, I see it as the start of everything else. I plan to take this tech career as far as I can take it. Creating new sites, apps and using AI. I can’t wait to take what I’ve learned here, the people I’ve met, and the experiences we’ve shared, and carry them into the next chapter of my journey.

Thank you.

— Antonio Archer