CPL Spotlight: Leslie Love   Location: Detroit Program: 2006 Michigan Fellowship Profession: Theater Director/Professor Fellowship Track:  Future Candidate

What personal values shape your politics?
In my training as an educator and artist one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that “it’s not about me.”  The work I do as an educator and artists is about giving understanding, direction, and hope to others.  It is about preparation, empowerment and passing it on. 

My political beliefs are shaped by my experiences and understanding that it is everyone’s job to try and leave the world a better place.  And it is personally my mission to lead a life that is purposeful, meaningful, and competent.  

I understand that I’ve been empowered with a gift to serve and represent with integrity, compassion, and competence.  And it is my duty, if for only a brief time, to educate, empower, and improve my little piece of the world and prepare the next generation to take on the charge.

What motivates you to be involved in public service?
I was moved to run for office because I wanted a person that was responsible, responsive, unselfish, talented, creative, optimistic, energetic, encouraging, positive, and competent to represent me, my family, friends, and community. 

I want to know that the person representing me has lived in my district; understands the people in my district; and is genuinely interested in positive change.  This person needed to look at serving as a mission not a job.  I found there was no better person that fit this description than me.  I was motivated to serve because I care about what’s happening in my community.  

How do you try to be a leader in your community?
I try to lead by example.  To talk and walk at the same time. For example, I serve on the executive board of my neighborhood association.  I am the Chairperson of the Board of Christian Education at Plymouth United Church of Christ; I serve on various committees at work; I’m a member and Fellow of the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies; I volunteer cleaning (Motor City Makeover) and protecting (Angel’s Night) in the city of Detroit.  I organize fun trips for students and co-workers.

What long term change are you interested in?
I want Michigan to be a state of prosperity and ingenuity; visionaries and pioneers. Our state is shaped like a mitten because in its palm are the seeds of hope, opportunity, success, and love.  And I want my community to reflect this by being respectful, responsible, resourceful, and resilient.  The long term change I’d like to help bring about is making my state and community the best place for families, businesses and tourism.       

...and about the Center for Progressive Leadership:

What attracted you to the Michigan Fellowship?
I was attracted to CPL because I wanted to understand how the whole political thing worked and why, after thousands of years, we keep getting it wrong.  Then I wanted to understand what I could do to get it right.  CPL’s 9-month intensive training presented a thorough examination of the entire political process.  From applying to voting, CPL seemed to have the most aggressive and comprehensive program that would help me answer the questions:  (1) What can I do to get it right?; and (2) How?

What are you hoping to get out of the program?
The fellowship program has: encouraged me; helped me to articulate my vision; made me examine why and how I can serve; and most importantly provided a road map to running a successful campaign.  This experience has made winning a campaign seem obtainable.  Overall, I think it’ll help me run an effective campaign that will lead to victory.  And it reaffirms my belief that we have to play it forward.

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