Baltimore Rhodes Scholar Returns To His Hometown To Give Back
Fagan Harris sees Baltimore Corps as very much an educational enterprise; in fact, education was the catalyst for him to overcome meager beginnings.
Harris' story began in a section of Baltimore where barely half of the students graduated from high school. Harris, however, earned a place at Stanford University in California where he obtained a bachelor's degree in political science & American studies. He then won a coveted Rhodes Scholarship and went on to earn a master's degree in human rights/criminal justice from the University of Limerick in Ireland and a Master's of Philosophy in social sciences from the University of Oxford, England.
Harris has also had prestigious assignments; he was part of President Obama's White House staff as a member of the Council for Community Solutions working to identify resources to help young people succeed. He has also simultaneously worked with the Emerson Collective (California) and the Aspen Institute (D.C.) on social reform issues.
Why return to Baltimore? "I choose to build my life in Baltimore, in part, because my identity is closely tied to the place; but I also believe that Baltimore matters to the nation. [Baltimore] remains vital yet imperiled. Concerted efforts to build the next generation of social, political and private leadership are essential."
Harris' own education influenced his path because, he says, "Caring individuals pushed me to reach higher which led me to Stanford University, where I was immersed in a culture dedicated to entrepreneurship and public service."
When asked how his education helped to further his career and how it contributed to his success thus far, Harris replied that, "He learned how to attract resources and mobilize the individuals necessary for social change."
Here are his partners in this current venture: Goldseker Foundation, Echoeing Green,Sylvan Laureate Foundation,Straus Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Aspen Institute/Franklin Project, and BME.
Lastly, regarding advice for those looking to go into a similar field of endeavor, Harris suggests "cultivating mentors and a robust learning community. He further stresses that he feels it is "critical to have people in your life who are willing to hold you accountable to your dreams and stretch you both as a person and as a professional."
Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years. Her current interests, in which she has several certifications, are metaphysics and the healing arts. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times.