Next City isn’t just a news website, we are a nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire social, economic and environmental change in cities. Part of how we do that is by connecting our readers to urban changemakers and holding an annual Vanguard conference bringing together 40 top young urban leaders. William Christopher Tate is a member of the 2014 Vanguard class.
Name: William Christopher Tate
Current Occupation: Founder and President of TateSpace LLC, & Commissioner, City of Paterson Historic Preservation Commission
Hometown: Paterson, NJ (The oldest planned industrial city in America)
Current City: Paterson, NJ
Twitter Tag: @TateSpace
I drink: Tea, but these days, I’m preferring coffee.
I am an: Introvert with extrovert tendencies
I get to work by: Walk/ Public Transit
The area I grew up is: Suburbs
What was your first job? My first job was a tilt-a-whirl operator at Paterson’s annual city fair in Eastside Park. It was a summer job. I was 15.
What is your favorite city and why? My favorite city is New York. I have always loved the quality of life there, and how integrated it feels with the larger world. New York’s globalism has been a great source of inspiration for me throughout the years. Plus, its about only a half hour away from my heartland, Paterson.
What do you do when you are not working? I love to read, sketch, go to the gym and travel.
Did you always want to be an architect? For as long as I can remember.
William Tate
What is the coolest project you worked on? Paterson is the home of the newest U.S. National Park: Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Through my involvement with the Historic Preservation Commission and Design Review Commission, I’ve gotten to see how a federal park is developed, which has been great. I think the park will enhance the city’s global reach. Experiencing its emergence has been one of the coolest quests ever.
What is the biggest challenge facing cities today? One of the biggest challenges that cities face today is a lack of connectivity between communities and between government and residents. I believe that the most successful cities are the ones that are able to bridge divides comprehensively and connect with the world outside the city’s borders as well.
What makes a successful leader? A successful leader is someone who understands the perspective of the constituents that he or she serves. He or she also possesses the ability to take risks without fearing failure. This quality alone is probably the most meaningful especially in the face of opposition.
What’s your BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)? Ultimately, I hope to expand the work and impact of TateSpace globally. I look forward to exploring new ideas and methodologies as a catalyst to build capacity and value in underserved communities across the world.
What’s the best professional advice you have received? Years ago, a colleague of mine said to me, “if you want to be the most successful in this profession (architecture), one must understand the power of managing relationships”. This little piece of advice has been a jewel in my growth ever since.
Who do you most admire? I admire anyone who demonstrates enough drive and ambition to make something out of nothing, and as a result bring dignity to their own imagination and originality.
What do you look for when hiring someone? Passion, commitment, creativity and being process-oriented are very important qualities that I consider when hiring someone. Having a sense of urgency with a great desire to learn is also something that I appreciate.
What career advice would you give an emerging urban leader? Take risks and follow your passion despite the challenges that might emerge along the way. Maintain your purpose. The obstacles that you face now only build character as you get closer to your ultimate goals.