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Stephen Smith

What would you like to accomplish within the next 5 years?

Learn how to be a good husband and father.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing your generation?

How fast everything moves; the rise of the internet and the fall of long-term face-to-face relationships; disgusting economic and social inequality; people work too much; violence in the name of religion.

What do you hope to learn from more established leaders?

Patience; how to be quiet.

What do you think more established leaders can learn from your work?

Young people are just like everyone else: if you harvest our anger, we will take action. The word apathy, when ascribed to any group, is just an excuse for not wanting to do the work to agitate someone.

What is the most gratifying aspect of your work?

Two things: One, Watching someone do something they didn't think they could do. Two, winning campaigns.

What are the biggest obstacles in your work?

1) Humility, remembering that just because this is my job and I love it -- that doesn't mean it's the most important thing in the whole world. 2) The long haul. Generational change doesn't happen overnight; but it's hard to remember this lesson sometimes and keep fighting. 3) Poor education. Many of PACT's top leaders - young ex-offenders, homeless youth, and high school dropouts among others - have been failed by our educational system. Without a diploma and a job and basic skills, it's hard to keep up with the pace of campaign work and community organizing over time. 4) Money. There is not enough money for organizing.

How do you work around those obstacles?

We find ways for people to carve out roles that are right for them; maybe I'm raising my kids and trying to find a job and a house and all I can give is 90 minutes this one afternoon... Then this person can register voters on their block, as a way to start building relationships in his/her neighborhood. For money, we are starting to build a dues-based membership that will fund the entire organization, so that our work will be owned by our members.

What tools or resources do you need to help you continue your work?

Money; more talented young people who want to organize for a living.

What advice would you give to younger folks wanting to impact social justice issues?

Find out what really pisses you off and fight against it. Find out what you really enjoy and do that, while fighting.

Define leadership.

Leadership is having followers. Good leaders spending most of their time developing other leaders.