Vicente Thrower’s campaign as a community activist began while attending a few City Commission meetings in high school and eventually grew into a full-fledged community leader.

Thrower has dedicated more than half his life to helping improve the Pompano Beach community and serves on city’s Parks and Recreational Board, Affordable Housing Board as well as the Northwest Community Redevelopment Agency Board.

Born and raised in Pompano, Thrower’s roots run deep as his grandfather, Robert Lee Robinson was a bean picker during Pompano’s faming period. Wanting to help that community, Thrower is constantly attending various events and meetings in the community to help spur change and encourage other youth to be involved in the community.

What have you enjoyed about growing up in Pompano?
The community. I grew up in a community whereby each family looked out for each other.

Why do you think it’s important for young residents to be involved in the community?
Because of the simple fact that the people we have serving now; they’re only there for a season. After you’ve been there for a long time, the question is whether you have the same fire as when you first got there. I feel more young people are needed because we need more fire.

What has kept you so active in the community?
The need for more youth to be involved. When you go to city hall for a City Commission meeting, I think I’m the youngest person there.

What’s the biggest change you would like to see in the city?
The Commissioners and the mayor needs to be a little stronger and set forth a vision and give some direction. And hold staff accountable for when things don’t get done. Pompano is not a city known to be a business friendly city and we need to change the way people view Pompano Beach.

Who’s had the biggest influence on you becoming a community activist?
I’d say Pat Larkins, Art Kennedy, Alcee Hastings, Joe Eggelletion and Woody Poitier. They tried to groom a young man into doing some good things.