Working Towards Our Purpose

Welcome to Working Towards Our Purpose, a podcast that

offers a different perspective on what a job can be. For everyone

out there that's heard that voice in the back of their head asking for something

more, it's time to listen to it. I'm your host, Gino,

and join me as I interview people who have decided to work in their

own purpose. Together, we will learn, become inspired,

and hopefully find our own path towards working in our purpose.

Joining me today on the podcast is Steve Roberts. Steve is program

coordinator at the Art Space of New Haven, and he

also started the Push to Start program, which uses skateboarding

and art to inspire civic engagement in the youth. Welcome to the podcast,

Steve. Thank you for having me. It feels good to be the 1st

guest. I'm honored. I love sharing my work with people

and connecting, so I'm just looking forward to the opportunity. Yeah.

Yeah. Hey. Same here. So, let's just, let's get right into it.

So tell me more about skateboarding and the role that's played throughout your

life, and has it always been, a passion of yours?

So I got into skateboarding when I was 13.

It, you know, it's back when my Tony Hawk's pro skater,

the x games, all that stuff was popping. Me and

my friends started out on bikes, just building

little, like, jump ramps and stuff like that. You know, we we tried to imitate

what we saw in rocket power, But then, like, my bike got stolen,

and then I was like, you know what? Like, I'll try skateboarding. And if I

see anybody with a bright green skateboard, I'll know it's mine.

From there, it just evolved into me doing it more and

more. I did it for about 2

years, and then a shop opened up downtown called

Channel 1. And I read about it in the

register, and I went by one day. And I was

like, no. It's cool, man. Like, it was skateboarding. It was hip

hop. It was art. It was a bunch of stuff that, like, I

had no idea went hand in hand with skateboarding culture,

and it was owned by a black man named Blue Cox, and, like,

that was really, like, something. And we also grew up in the same neighborhood.

So to have someone who looks like you, who understands where you

come from, who understands the neighborhood you come from, that really

stuff with me, and I hung around the shop. I had started hanging

around the shop. He'd asked me to, you know, cut some stickers,

help him out with T shirts, pull brochures, like, little things

like that. And he'd you know, instead of paying me cash, he'd throw

me boards, he'd throw me products. Like, he'd throw me cash every now and then,

but it was mainly, like, he kept me skating. You know what I mean?

And then from there, I really started working for him, getting paid,

and, you know, I just come even the days I wouldn't work, I'd come

to the shows, stuff like that, just because there was so much

interesting stuff going on. And it shaped how I how I

look at things and also, like, the type of things I thought were cool and,

like, what I what my interests were. Yeah. And

from there, it kinda influenced where I looked at in in

college, what I wanted to do in my own

city, like, when I come back and, like, had had the

money, had the time. You know, I was open enough to to really organize

and get things done. Awesome. Awesome. That's a that's a awesome

story. It seems like it really gave you a kind of a a sense of

purpose. So that's really cool that a place like that exists. So tell me

more about Push to Start and, what the organization's doing. I

know that, you teach kids how to skateboard, but it it's a little bit more

than that. Right? Push to I started Push to Start

in 2017. I had a chance

encounter with miss Diane Brown, who's the

director of the Stetson Library. I walked in there one day.

I had my board. I was I was, you know, just looking for a

book. And she's on my board, and she was like,

oh, someone, someone donated a few

skateboards. It'd be nice if someone could come out and teach some kids

how to skate. And from my experience, that was kind of

like a suggestion that really wasn't a suggestion. So I was

like, you know what? Whatever. I got some old parts together.

Some people donated, like, some old boards. I put some I put some whole

complete skateboards together, and that following Saturday, I was

able to go out there and teach about 4 or 5

kids how to skate. And from then, really started going out

every Saturday after that in the parking lot behind the old Sexton

Library. And it's pretty much I've been

fortunate enough to have it grow from there. About

2 years ago, a friend of mine, Bobby Poirier

Bobby Poirier and Jay Joseph, they founded Yale Undergrad Skateboarding

Union, and we had we were lucky enough to have

some students come out and teach skateboarding lessons, but also

have some allies in the Yale community who who

skateboarded and kinda understood the town gown

relationship, and wanted to actively undo that.

Jay's still around. Bobby Bobby graduated and moved on.

But we still Well, not moved on, but, like, is

doing research. And, yeah, from there, after after I got involved

with Jay, we got put our heads together and got Scannell Berry

skate park done. And from the back parking

lot at Stetson, to Scantlebury is where

Push to Start is. So I still do lessons every Saturday,

but having Scantlebury as a hub and as a

resource for the kids to come out and skate even when we're not doing

lessons is, like, a really big thing. It's something that, like, I'm really

proud of, really stoked on. Yeah. That's that's awesome.

So, basically, there was no skate park there, and then you

guys created a skatepark from a parking lot. Is that is that

correct? Yeah. Pretty much. That's awesome. That's

awesome. That's, I imagine, a a nice piece of the community there that, like

you said, they can use if even if you're not giving lessons.

Yeah. Yeah. Honestly. So, something I guess I

noticed as as you're talking is it seems like the the word community is, like,

a big piece of what you do from, like, when you were younger in the

skating community and and now still being involved in the skating community. What

does community mean to you, and, like, how do you form

community around yourself? Community

means just everyone bringing their unique gifts together and

using them in the service of other people. I

try to build community just by, you know, introducing myself to

folks when they come skate at Scandal Berry or just, like, you

know, a space I don't recognize. Like, hey. What's up? I'm

Steve. Like, people call me school. Like,

I I'm from around here. Like, oh, what do you what do you

do? Just meeting new people and making them feel welcome and making

them feel like they can share their their talents with everyone.

Yeah. I love that. So you mentioned earlier, you

you went to college. What did you go to college for? I went to

Rhode Island College and I graduated with my bachelor's

in advertising and public relations. Okay. Okay.

Interesting. So what made you take the path of,

you know, not going the corporate America path? Because I imagine that would be an

passion, getting a, you know, a degree in marketing. After I graduated,

I really like, what do I wanna do? How do I

wanna get involved? And I had been involved

in some community organizing in Providence, And I was

fortunate enough to get a job as an organizing director

after college, which kinda, like, aligns with what my degree is

in, very much a public facing passion. But I was

also working as a dishwasher during that time.

I lost my organizing director

job, but there was something about dishwashing that I was like, oh,

like, this is kinda cool. I wanna, you know, I like working in kitchens.

I like the aspect of being in the team, you know, having,

you know, clearly defined growth and just you know, it

was just an environment that I thought I could thrive in. So I

said to myself, I'll do this to you know, until I move up.

I moved back home in 2015 or

16, and I just got another dishwashing job and worked

at it until I moved up the line. And I was like, you know, let's

see how far this cooking thing can take me. I have my degree in my

back pocket, and just, like, I was little off put

by the nonprofit industrial complex.

And I was like, you know what? I have the skills to organize. I have

the knowledge. I'm just gonna do something where it

doesn't seem like a job or like I'm not

forced to feel a certain way because of my job.

Mhmm. So I worked I worked in kitchens. I did

it like as I've been developing PushingStar, I've also worked as a

chef. I recently got the job at ArtSpace this

past April, but before then, it was just me cooking this whole

time. Yeah. And I'm kind of fortunate that,

like, my work has led people to say,

like, you know what? I wanna I wanna help out. I wanna get involved. How

can we, like, make this sustainable for you or make this, like how can

we make sure you're not killing yourself to do this? Yeah. And that's really

I really, really been blessed and fortunate to be around people like

that. I like how, how you kinda just seem

to to follow what it is that that you felt, you know, good

in and and and, like you said, the role of dishwasher. You liked the

certain aspects of it and didn't fall into, like, you know, well, you

graduated with this degree. You're supposed to go do this. It sounds like you're, you

know, you're listening to your own intuition, and I think that's really

cool. Yeah. And, honestly, I kinda

was like, yo, my degree is in my back pocket. Like, what do I wanna

do? Like, what excites me? Because eventually, I'll have

to do something where, you know, I might not like it, but

if I have to support a family or if I'm, like, at a point where

I can't throw caution to the wind, then,

you know, I'll have to buckle down. But, like, I have all this

energy, all these ideas. Let me, you know, get it out into

the world, into the ether before, like, I have to use my

degree. I have to, I'm beholden to, you know,

my family or my kids or whatever. You know, I was

fresh out of college, young, okay with being broke or

working for little. So, yeah, it just

it really was, like, following my intuition and

kinda setting these 5 goals and just

kinda staying hyper focused on them, you know, staying

true to what I felt I could do and what I believed.

And it's it's paid off a few years later. Like, my fam like,

sometimes, like, I butt heads with my family or just,

like, they didn't understand what I was doing.

But, you know, here we are years later.

And, like, they see, like, okay, like, he is using his degree. He's just do

he's just doing it in a way that, you know, he wants to do it

and not, like, in a traditional sense. Right.

Right. Yeah. That's great. You wanna talk a little bit more about, like, family pressures

and stuff like that? Because I know that's, like, kind of a common story. You

know, you go to college, and your parents put pressure on you to get a

good job and and that sort of thing. Do you wanna speak a little bit

more to, like, that? Yeah. So I just think

my family the best for my family comes from the fact that,

you know, I'm an only child. Like, I'm my grandmother's

only grandson. My my grandmother had

4 daughters, and, my mom's the only one with the kid.

Yeah. So, like, that was really a family pressure. And they just,

like, they just they wanted that's not

more, like, talking down, like, more in the sense that, like, you

have so much more potential that can be fulfilled.

You know? And, like, they my family

sacrificed a lot for me to get where I wanna be, where I am

now. And I guess they didn't wanna see their labor wasted or

see how what I'm doing wasn't, like, leading me on the wrong

track or anything like that. Mhmm. But

I don't know. I kinda you kinda have to have this

moment in your own head or in your heart of hearts

where you're just like, yo, like, like, f it. Like, I'm

I'm gonna do it. And you're

so invested and so in tune

with your vision, with your dream that, like, the criticisms kinda

kinda wash away or just, like, how like, you're immune to the criticism.

Like, they just bounce off you. And, like, not like you

don't hear them and you're not receptive to them. More

in the sense that, you know, if it's to be, it's up to me. Like,

I have a dream, I have a vision, and, like,

I want it. Like, I know what's in my heart, in my

head, and, like, I just have to get it out. I just have to see

it through to passion, and that's really, like, what it

is. And eventually, like, people just got tired of talking

and just let me do me, and the results are

starting to show. You know? Yeah. That that's that's amazing. Did you have

any, like, mentors or people that you looked up to that kinda

inspired you to take the path that that you believed was true?

Yeah. A bunch of people. Lou Cox was my

first mentor. In college,

my buddy my buddy, Kasim, who went to my school before

me, got to just be, like, a sounding board

for me. Like, voice and frustration is kinda like, what

do I do next? And he just helped me, like, see the value of

building, like, a one on one relationship with somebody. Like, I played basketball,

so during the summer when I was home, we'd we'd work out

together for hours. And then after, like, we'd go get food

and just, like, talk about, like, what do you wanna do afterwards?

How do you feel about how your freshman year went versus your sophomore

year? Things like that, like maturity.

Also, Chan Ravi Prong, she was an organizer

in Providence. She's actually attending Yale School of Public Health

now, and she was just, like, my big sister in the

movement, like, who kinda got me to understand, like, oh,

like, a lot of the nonprofit stuff is, like, is a complex, you

know, the nonprofit industry complex. She really, like, opened my

eyes to how that works, and she was

very matter of fact in how she dealt with people and, like, cut through a

lot of the cut through a lot of the fact. Like, a lot of the

stuff I I experienced was, like, b s, and I

wasn't for it at all. And she's like she's the first one

who who helped me feel like I wasn't alone. Yeah. I

even consider, like, my partner in crime on the scandalous

stuff, Jay Joseph. Like, Jay Joseph is younger than me, but, like, I

consider him a mentor just because I admire the way he

thinks. He always kinda shifts my perspective on

things. And I just think, like, the trajectory of

what Jay wants to do and where he's going with skateboarding,

Jay will be running things in 5 or 10 years, you know what I mean?

So like it's always good to like that he he kind

of uses me as a sound board or just like will text me random things

throughout the day or at night that, you know, even if we don't

have a conversation on them, they always make me think and always make me

consider my perspective. Yeah. The people around you, I think,

are, you know, key to to your success and and to

helping you know, become who you're supposed to be. So so that's definitely definitely

important. Yeah. As far as, like, your work and

and what you do now, like, how would you define success, and what does it

mean to you? Because I know everybody has a different definition of it.

I feel like what I'm doing is successful.

But success for me personally would

be me being able to bump between my ideas

freely, be able to have Push to Start stand on its

own without me, you know, putting so much effort into it.

I guess, just more time for, like, leisurely pursuits.

Mhmm. Not it doesn't necessarily have to be money for some

folks. For me, I'd I'd like to make a certain amount of money. I

mean, I have, like, my personal goals. But I just

think success for me is just to be

able to indulge, like, a few more of your leisurely pursuits and

not be so tied down to, like, what you do that supports

you. You know what I mean? Mhmm. Definitely. Yeah.

But there's also, like, a part of it where you see these

memes where it's like I don't, like, what would your dream job be?

My dream job would be me not dreaming of labor.

I feel like there's there's always something. There's, like, a passion you

have that, like, you do that, like, maybe tough or just, like,

maybe, like, a lot of effort. But when you're in the

grind mode of it, it doesn't feel like work, you know what I mean?

Mhmm. And I don't know, I always feel like you should do

something that's like a little bit tough that makes you sweat, that makes you

appreciate being able to sit on

the beach somewhere or just like like, I I feel like things

should be made easier for purpose. Like, the the work should be easier. Like, people

should be paid more. People should be paid equitably.

But there's also a part of it that's, like, you feel good. Like,

that's a good feeling after, like, for example, you, like,

you spend all day setting up your podcast, scrambling around. And then

when you're able to, like, interview your guests, push it out,

like, edit your podcast, push it out, there's, like, okay, like, that was some work.

But, like like, this is a it's a good time. You know what I mean?

It's a good exhausted. It's, like, I've given so much of

myself to my vision and my passion that like, you know,

starting to get it's starting to grow legs and like run on its

own. You know, kinda like a parent who

sees their child walk for the first time. Like, parenting is a tough

job, but there's a there are these moments that he's like, yo, like, you know

what? I do it all over again. You know? And just

having that sustained people in addition to, like, being able to

kick back with with friends and, like, take time for yourself

and things like that. Yeah. Yeah. Those are 2 really good points. Definitely,

you know, sense of, fulfillment and accomplishment in the work that you do, but then

also being able to relax. Right? Because I feel like, especially

in the in the corporate realm, there's, like, no emphasis

on being able to take a day off or take passion or anything like that.

It's always like work, work, work, work, work. But it's also important to, like,

enjoy the work that you've accomplished. So those are those are some good points.

Exactly. So what do you do to keep learning? Are you, like, a

reader? You hit on some mentors? Do you take any courses or

anything like that? Like, what do you do to keep education going?

I I consider myself like an infinitely curious

passion. So I try to keep my eye on different things that are

going on around New Haven. The Arts Council has a good, like,

events page. There's like an Eventbrite page for New

Haven. You know, there are cool things there's always cool things going

on I think Yale Art Gallery around purpose,

just kinda keeping an eye out for those type of things, lectures, what have

you. I love to read. I love nonfiction.

I had a I had a little like Malcolm Gladwell phase, and that was really

cool. Yeah. And I'm just like always, like, YouTube,

like, oh, how is this made? Like, that show how it's made. I think that's,

like, one of the coolest shows on TV, because you never really consider

about, like, little stupid mundane things like how a pencil is put

together. But I don't know, it's just very

keeping that curiosity about the world around you is,

like, you know, that kinda childlike sense of curiosity, like

wonder. Yeah. But also, like, we have one of the

most powerful information devices ever on our

person. So, like, when people are just like, oh, why do why is this

like this? Like, you know, Google it. Like, that's how it starts. So with a

question, that's how curiosity starts. I also try to read, like,

the news, Harvard Business Review, like, things like that just to see

how, like, people who are the leaders in their field are thinking or just,

like, how thinking is shifting, how culture is shifting,

how technology is shifting, that sort of thing. Mhmm. Yeah. Definitely

curiosity is, I think, the the foundation of of education.

So, what would you, what would you have for advice for somebody who

feels stuck in a job that they're kind of just doing for the money, or

maybe they feel like they can't make a change, but maybe they have this thought

in their head that keeps coming to them that they want more and they wanna

do something that they're more, you know, passionate about or more aligned

with purpose. What would you tell them? Save your money,

be willing to do it for free,

and, this is a good question.

And have a have a good support

system that will support you when you need

it, but also get you together if you don't come correct.

You know, like, it's easy to have friends that are yes men. But

also, we have friends that are, like, that are black. This ain't right.

Like, you need to do this better. You need to do better is

important. Because even if you don't agree, it

shifts your perspective, and it makes you think, like, why would they

say that? You know, it's easy to be like, oh, they're just hating or

whatever. They don't wanna see you succeed. But if it's someone whose friendship you

truly value, it should it should shift your perspective.

But also, you know, just oh,

networking is key because, you know, there's little grants and little

programs that you can get involved in. Like, for

example, Collab was a a small business and non profit

incubator that I was fortunate enough to be a part of.

And Ben Berkowitz introduced me to the director,

Carolyn Smith, on on Twitter. You know what I mean? And

Carolyn did the first logo for Push to Start,

and, like, we just started talking. You know, I mean, it just be and

Ben Berkowitz is someone I met through skateboarding, through just being,

like, you know, just being around. So, yeah. Just like

Yeah. Those things. And

you kinda have to have a will power. Like, just have

a an iron will. It might not work out. There'll be days that are tough,

days that are frustrating, but, like, keep the end goal in sight. Yeah.

Just keep that end goal in sight. Keep it in your heart of hearts. That's

what I did. And that's what helped me. Yeah. That's great great

advice. So, yes, we're, we're coming to the end of our time here, but I

got one more question for you, and that's what's next for you and

how can people support the work that you do? Okay.

What's next for me is continue to expand Passion START.

I'd like to get into some after school programming,

continuing to build up finding a line in New Haven

with Jay. Continue my work with ArtSpace, kinda

bringing, you know, underrepresented populations,

younger kids, black and brown folks into

into our space. Lisa has really been adamant about that

and she's been working closely, like, with the city's cultural equity plan

to make sure, like, our programming and, you know,

just who we are as an organization aligns with, like, the vision

for the future. Yeah. And just doing more cooking,

honestly. Awesome. I thank you again, Steve, for,

coming on this podcast and being the first guest. And, wish you the best with

push to start in your cooking and all your future endeavors. Thank you,

Gina.