The first step in organizing to confront an issue is to become aware that a situation needs to be addressed. Most of us are apathetic until we feel personally threatened. However, social awareness is contagious. You will find others in your community inspired by your desire for positive change. We all have different interests.
Some community leaders come from a long history of advocacy on behalf of their communities.
Others find a single topic that they become passionate about and that one issue acts as a call to action for them.