Meet our Servant Leaders: Stephen M.

Stephen Morton

Servant Leader Intern

If you were a rapper, what would be your stage name?

Stephen Stayfly

What part of the country are you originally from?

Lynchburg, Virginia

If you were in charge of bringing one food item to The Cookout, what would it be and why?

Baked beans, because, what is a cookout without baked beans?

What is your least favorite snack food and why?

Plain potato chips because they’re too boring.

Let's dig a bit deeper. What's the last song that made you dance?

What were you like in middle/high school?

Reserved and easygoing

J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar?

J. Cole

Name of a Book/Story That Made An Impact On You When You Were Younger. What was so impactful about this book?

“Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man In America” by Nathan McCall

This book hit me like a ton of bricks because it changed my perception of what being young and black in America SHOULD be like. It also corrected my idea of Pan-Africanism at the time being. I read it when I was 16.

Complete this phrase: "Freedom is..."

…equality.

What is one social justice/action issue that you are passionate about? Why?

I am passionate about the oppression of Black people in America, primarily because it has been going on for far too long, and equal rights and justice is a birthright; regardless of color.

In 2020, we had to suspend our program. What makes you excited about returning or joining the team this year?

Being not only able to contribute to my community, but also taking part in the uplifting of minority youth and teaching them in a more organic manner.

If you had a room full of people willing to listen to you, what would you say?

Hit the ground running, show up every day, and strive for your personal idea of success. Everything that you need is already inside of you, and with a positive attitude, nothing can stop you.