31: Steven Reed on How He Became the First Black Mayor of Montgomery, AL, the Birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement

When he hears the word ‘changemaker’, we imagine someone’s who’s predestined to take on some special role in following their inner calling. What Light has found through having dozens of these conversations is that changemakers are often just like us. Today’s guest is Steven Reed, a childhood friend of Light’s and someone who, back in 2019, became the 57th mayor of their hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. What's significant about that is that Mayor Reed was the first Black mayor in a town that was, for a brief period of time, the official capital of the confederacy. 

It was also the place where Dr. King launched the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the 1950s, the place where Rosa Parks was arrested 65 years ago for her participation, and the home of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, where Dr. King began his career as a minister and an activist. Montgomery has a very rich history and, for that reason, Mayor Reed's election made international headlines. 

In today's episode, listeners hear about Steven’s unlikely journey of leaving Montgomery for business pursuits, trying to do the traditional thing by becoming a financial analyst, his failures as an entrepreneur, and why he decided to become the change he wanted to see by running for office – first as a probate judge, even though he did not have a law degree, and then later as a mayor. 

Find out why most people think they cannot run for public office and how, believe it or not, you are more qualified than you think. This fascinating conversation might inspire you to get more involved in local politics and become the change you want to see in your area of the world, so make sure to tune in today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Steven reflects on his favorite toy as a child, and why he enjoyed it.
• The history of the Reed family in Montgomery, Alabama, and their political ties to the city.
• How much of this history of activism was casually shared with Steven as he was growing up.
• Steven’s love for football and his dream of becoming a player or coach when he got older.
• What it was like growing up in the cradle fo the confederacy in such a politically aware family.
• His decision to follow in his brother’s footsteps and attend Morehouse College in Atlanta.
• One of the tenets Steven learned at Morehouse: Not only push yourself to be your best, but push the community and culture beyond that.
• How he defined success at that point in his life – to bring his mindset to corporate America.
• Choosing business over political science thanks to his generation of opportunities.
• A work ethic philosophy he inherited from his dad – “Ain't nobody going to build you a temple and make you high priest.”
• Steven shares his main takeaways from his three years as a financial analyst.
• Realizing he wasn’t as numbers-driven as others and leaving for management consulting.
• How Steven came to learn real-world entrepreneurial experience in a non-traditional way.
• Steven talks candidly about some of his entrepreneurial failures and discouragements.
• What Steven’s dad taught him about removing ego and pride from business ventures.
• Learn about Steven’s first foray into lobbying and the reasons he chose to get into it.
• The 2008 speech Barack Obama gave that changed the way Steven viewed public service.
• Who Steven has around to support and guide him in his decisions and his role in that group.
• The combination of inspiration and frustration that led him to take the risk of running for probate judge in Montgomery.
• Steven explains how people mistake mediocrity for excellence when it comes to politicians.
• Why Steven believes he was elected as probate judge – given

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