Twelve years ago I picked up my local newspaper and read a story about an African American family that had purchased a house in a white neighborhood. Word had quickly spread that a black family was soon moving in, and a few teenagers decided to leave a welcome present.

They ransacked the house. Destroyed the sinks in the bathrooms. Poured acid on the floors. Knocked holes in the living room walls. Spray painted the bedrooms.

The pictures in the newspaper turned my stomach. I picked up the phone and called a prominent local business owner. We set a plan into motion.

He called contractors and talked them into donating new sheet rock, paint, and plumbing fixtures. We called a local construction workers union, which donated a crew of workers to clean up the mess, repair the walls and fixtures, and restore the house to its original condition.

When the work was done, we organized a press conference. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held with the contractors, construction workers, and the family. In front of the fully restored home was a sign that said welcome home.

The prominent business owner I had called, who helped make all this happen was later elected to the highest office in the County.

Sometimes we forget that a route to elected office is simply righting a wrong, correcting an injustice, taking a stand and plainly speaking your truth.

Too few people do.

Which is why people notice when someone does.

Next week, I’ll be back with more on essential steps to preparing to run for office.