Brian Benjamin Launches ‘Young Professionals United For Change’ To Increase African American Political Engagement - Page 2

MN: What is the most satisfying or gratifying part of your work with YP4C?

BB: I love working with young professionals to make a difference in accomplishing a goal like electing President Obama, and I like when young professionals work and network with each other for a great cause. During the first election, we had an election night watch party, and I saw one young professional explaining to another how the Electoral College works. That is the kind of exchange that makes all of this work worth it.

MN: What is your advice for other young people who want to spark the next movement or lead change in their own communities?

BB: Focus on an issue that you are passionate about, and define a tangible objective that you’d like to see accomplished regarding that issue. After that, you focus on organizing and then leading the effort to accomplish the objective. The movement will build around that. You can’t focus on making yourself famous. You have to focus on solving a problem for your community.

Andrea Williams is a writer/journalist based in Nashville. Follow her online @AndreaWillWrite.