BEN BILO
PURPOSE
"Growing up outside of Baltimore, Maryland, I have always felt aware of the need for active citizenship. The city struggles with inordinate amounts of corruption, poverty, and violence – listed as the sixth poorest city in America by CBS in 2015. In stark contrast, U.S. News reports in 2018 that Baltimore’s neighbor, Howard County, is the third richest county in the country. Why do some communities fail while others prosper? How do citizens and leaders contribute to this process? What can be done to address the inequitable distribution of social, political, and economic resources? I ask myself these questions and more every day.
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I decided to join the Public Leadership Scholars (PL) program to better myself as an active citizen. I have always aspired to make a positive impact on my community, but I have not always possessed the knowledge and skills that are essential aspects of enacting change. By the time I complete the two-year Public Leadership program, I want to have grown as a communicator, strategist, mediator, listener, and activist. I want to have experienced both conflict and resolution in the pursuit of communal betterment. I want to have my preconceptions challenged by interactions with peers and mentors. I want to become a leader."
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- Ben Bilo 11/16/2020
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SHOWCASE
Semester One PL Reflection
In this document, I recount and analyze some of the experiences, expectations, and outcomes of my first semester in Public Leadership.
Reflected Best Self Leadership Development Plan
This plan outlines some of the steps I will take to document and facilitate my progress towards my best-self.
Policing in America
The attached essay addresses the failures of modern policing and proposes a direction for positive reform. I maintain that police training must be made more academic, comprehensive, and recursive to achieve this change. The scary fact is that modern law enforcement education is far from adequate. Did you know that in some states, it takes more training to become a barber than a police officer?
Best Self Portrait
In this reflection, I write about times when I acted as my "Best Self". I discuss the characteristics that I value most and the ways that I demonstrated them. This was a valuable exercise because it allowed me to define the person I want to be and celebrate the times when I rose to the occasion.
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls
This paper sought to analyze and characterize the effectiveness of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls (OWLAG). I argue that the school is an inspired endeavor defined by emotional, social, and logistical benefits. Critics suggest that Winfrey's passion for connecting with impoverished young women prevented her from making informed financial decisions. However, I demonstrate that passion is an essential aspect of lasting change and that Winfrey's investment is sound.
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