For the Spartanburg community, Reverend Kenneth Smith uses his higher calling to minister in board rooms, PTO meetings and after-school classrooms. Smith, a native of Baltimore, MD, is the pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in White Stone, SC. He and his wife, Lisa, are blessed with four children, ages 13, 11, 10 and 8.

Smith is also an eight-year navy veteran who received numerous recognitions and accolades. He retired as a 2nd class petty officer from this service.

In the ministry since 1994, Rev. Smith has taken his duties beyond the pulpit to fuel a movement that involves revitalization for the City of Spartanburg. Smith was elected to represent Spartanburg District Five a year ago. He serves on city council where he tackles issues such as neighborhood development, housing development and future growth.

He acknowledges a plan is in place to foster economic development for the city as well. This development will focus on mixed income housing that will be available in close proximity to the downtown area of Spartanburg.

Rev. Smith is particularly passionate with housing development because many professional African-Americans are relocating to areas outside of the city. About this he adds, "It is important to maintain the demographic (in the area) because this is the area that I represent."

He recently founded a youth leadership development program known as Lodestone. It is currently targeted at African-American males up to 6th grade. Lodestone is an afterschool initiative that is set up with military fundamentals. The name, Lodestone, was chosen because of the black mineral, which has magnetic properties and, in ancient times, was used for navigation purposes. Smith hopes to instill progress and higher self-esteem in these young men.

Now in his last year as a non-profit administration major at USC-Upstate, Rev. Kenneth Smith hopes to assist with many issues in 2007. He points out the absence of Black men in homes, communities and schools is taking a toll on Black youth. He says that there should be more involvement from churches and Black professionals to assist in tackling these areas.

"My life is not just for me," says Smith. "My gifts and talents were not given to me just to look good."