VJ Smith Takes Lead of National "Mad Dads" Organization

Story by Bob Hines

V.J. Smith describes himself as “a turnaround specialist”. He was abandoned by his parents when he was nine years old. Placed in foster care, he eventually ran away and got involved with drugs and criminal activity that led to his arrest in the early 1980s. He decided straighten out his life and started looking for positive ways to affect his community.

In the late ‘80’s, an organization called “Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder”, or MAD DADS, was formed in Omaha, Nebraska. The leaders were men who wanted to challenge gangs and drugs in their city. About ten years later, V.J. Smith formed a chapter of MAD DADS here in Minneapolis.

Later today, at Shiloh Temple Ministries on West Broadway in Minneapolis, V.J. Smith will be sworn in as the national president of MAD DADS.

V.J. Smith talked with KFAI's Bob Hines on the Weekly News.