Cat Slack
What makes Cat Wildly Capable?
“Cat’s commanding presence can feel intimidating, but spend a moment with her and you soon realize you’d be hard-pressed to find a warmer and more down-to-earth person. Her incredible talent in the non-profit space is making a tangible difference in our community as she uses her knack for storytelling to compel generosity and action.” HANNAH SCHMITT
Who is the biggest influence in your life? Why?
The two people who made education a priority: my mom, who scraped together money to pay for my Catholic schooling through 8th grade, and my high school history teacher, Mr. Hartley, who is the only reason I went to college.
What’s been the biggest obstacle in your life so far?
If I were asked this 10 years ago, I’d say that the biggest obstacle in my life was the abuse I endured as a child. Now, however, I know that the biggest obstacle was the story I told myself about who I am. I am so much more than my trauma: I am a thousand other stories that are more than that experience.
One year from today, how do you hope you’re different?
The Clean Slate Initiative passed two years ago in Oklahoma, and in the next year, I would like to see it fully implemented. This initiative is simple and changes lives: it passes and implements laws that automatically clear eligible records for people who have completed their sentence and remained crime-free. Often very minor offenses remain on someone’s record because of the mountain of paperwork and cost of removal. This prevents people from getting housing and jobs. This clearance makes it possible for someone who has a minor record (for example, writing a bad check for groceries, like the founder of the initiative), to have that record cleared so they can get a job or move to a better home for their family.
What’s the single biggest problem you’d like to solve in your community?
This is not for everyone, but for some: I’d like to encourage everyone with a disposable income to reserve that for a cause that can make a difference. Give $200 to the YWCA OKC to support women taking the leap to leave domestic violence. Give $200 to RestoreOKC to support kids in Northeast OKC in their internship program. Find a cause that is making the difference you wish to see in the world around you. Consider giving annually and you’ll get to be a part of the incredible work this community is doing to make a difference.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Show up.
