Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern Donangelo Marshall
Meet Steven Mickens! Steven is the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lanier and has been working with the organization since 2004. He holds degree in Communication and Media Studies from St. Francis College
“I have a wife, two adult children that are both doing extremely well and two grandchildren. My family has made me everything that I am,” he said. “Especially, my mom and my dad; my dad in particular, because of his drive and his compassion and providing for our family. That’s what makes me go.”
We want to thank Steven for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I would say, my father because in the community where I grew up, there were some kids that parents and dads weren’t around and they looked up to my father. Also, while I was in college, I volunteered at local YMCAs in Brooklyn, N.Y., and I was constantly thinking about young people. I decided to pursue a career in it and loved it from day one, working with kids that have promise and seeing the effects that it has on them long-term, is something I always wanted to do.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Hall County? And what do you love there?
A: “Luna’s is my favorite in Hall County. I order the same thing, medium-well cheeseburger with broccoli and fruit. Also, the lemon merengue pie, a slice of that.”
Q: How long have you lived and worked in Hall County?
A: “I’ve worked in Hall County since 2004.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “One of the most interesting people that I’ve met over my career here is Mr. Jim Walters, he’s passed away. He’s been instrumental in our community for a very long time. And I had an opportunity to get to know him personally; we would meet at Luna’s sometimes in the afternoon and just talk about how he became so successful. He shared stories about getting fruit for Christmas when he was a kid and how if his parents saw another needy family they would give the fruit away to that needy family. That kind of sparked him giving to those that are in need.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I would probably want to travel to Africa because I’ve had some colleagues that went to Africa and they said it was phenomenal.”
Q: What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater? What is your favorite movie?
A: “My favorite movie is ‘Love and Basketball.’ And the first movie that I saw that had significance was ‘Cooley High.’”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “Right now stay six feet apart. But really, just be caring to each other, to extend an olive branch or arm to help those in need and not be judgmental.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Obviously the Africa trip would be on my bucket list, but I’ve always wanted to skydive.”
Q: What is your favorite music? OR three bands that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “I listen to pop, R & B and jazz. Earth, Wind & Fire and The Stylistics would be my favorite bands…I have an old soul.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “This might be cliché, but it is Longstreet Cafe. Because when you go there, you will see everybody there. It’s been a pillar in the community for such a long time.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with Oprah Winfrey and President Barack Obama. Oprah Winfrey; has been faced with so many challenges and never made excuses…I’m all about those that are trying to create a positive, inspiring message. Barack Obama, because he was the first black President, he is a great role model in terms of what he and his wife and his family were able to accomplish in a time where people didn’t think it was imaginable to happen.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Hall County?
A: “I think the most unique thing about Hall County is the people that live here. I’ve never been around a group of people that genuinely care for one another. And then the leadership, whether it’s local city, whether it’s the school district, whether it’s the hospital or other nonprofits, the willingness to collaborate and put forth efforts to help young people. And I think that’s the key ingredients to sustain in the community. Also, you have the local businesses that contribute to nonprofits, that make us go, and nonprofits are designed to fill a gap that the government local state can’t fill.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Well in five or 10 years, hopefully I’m still going to be doing what I’m doing here…when I started in 2010, we had three clubs and as of August, we have 25 sites, five stand-alone in 20 school sites and four different school districts. That’s a major accomplishment.”
Q: Even for (family and friends), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I’m a jokester and I love to prank people and I enjoy having fun. As a leader, most people look at me as very serious, but I get a kick out of making people laugh and pulling pranks on people.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word home?
A: “Family is everything.”
