If we don't have strong grassroots organizing, the age of Obama will become another neoliberal moment -- another missed opportunity for empowering poor and working people!
Cornel West
Princeton University
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We often confuse mistakes as failures when, in fact, they are life's best lessons. Stoking the Fire of Democracy is a collage of candid stories that demonstrates mistakes, risks and successes from which we should all learn if we truly believe in grassroots movements. It provides young people with the tools to go beyond activism and challenge to be real agents of social change. Stephen's work reminds me of the courage that it takes to do this and the reasons why I love organizing.
Jamiko Rose
Lead Organizer, Organization of the North East (ONE)
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Stephen Smith's introduction to community organizing is a remarkable, well-written, and insightful account of his search for a way to turn democratic promise into practice. A young person, clear about his calling and clear about his need to pursue it, he commits to probing the Alinsky tradition for the skills, concepts and wisdom that can help him meet challenges of his own time. Now that organizing is "cool" again, Stephen's book is a serious call to the discipline, focus, and hard work it takes to turn promise into practice... and to the joy of doing it well. I hope this is the first book of an author from whose journey we will be learning for years to come.
Marshall Ganz
An organizer in the civil rights and farm worker movements, Ganz now serves as Lecturer in Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School. He advised the Obama campaign on organizing, training, and leadership development.
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This primer for "could-be radicals" is a deeply personal and powerful narrative of one young man's attempt to master the high wire between the world as it is and the world as it could be. Stephen has done a superb job in demonstrating that democracy is not a spectator sport. His footing is sure, strong and steady and with this book he charts the course for other "could-be radicals" who desire to seize the power and ultimately determine the destiny of our democratic experiment.
Jacqueline Y. Collins
Illinois State Senator (D-16)
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"This book is like talking to the part of your self that tells you to risk more, dream bigger, push harder. It's a primer for a generation of young organizers and activist who lifted the most unlikely presidential candidate in U.S. history to victory and finds itself asking, 'What's the next earth-shattering thing we can do?'"
Eboo Patel
Founder and Executive Director, Interfaith Youth Core
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Stephen Smith, in word and deed, has shown himself a young leader worth following. A new generation is coming of age, beginning to flex their democratic muscles and find a voice in the public square, Stoking the Fire of Democracy, tells that story and paints a vision for what is still coming. Whether you are a young person looking to step into the world of grassroots organizing or a seasoned veteran looking for hope, refreshment and new insight, read this book cover to cover and make sure it is a well worn volume in your library.
Jim Wallis
Author of The Great Awakening and Editor-in-Chief of Sojourners Magazine.
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Activism and organizing can feel like a giant hamster wheel -- lots of effort, no movement. Stephen Smith's brilliant little book will teach you to rig helicopter blades to your hamster wheel and achieve lift-off...
Obama called community organizing "the best education I ever got." Stephen Smith, one of the next generation's most brilliant organizers, followed Obama's footsteps to the South Side of Chicago -- and emerged with a compulsively readable little book that will change your life...
Stoking the Fire of Democracy lights a fire under the ass of our generation. If you want to change the world, this blazing, brilliant little book is the place to start.
Ben Wikler
Co-Director, Avaaz.org
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