Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Sgt Kenneth Ragland of National Association of Police Athletic activities Leagues Is Helping To Change Our World
Leadership for me is the ability to influence others to accomplish a specific goal and/or mission. The best leaders are those who possess the ability to demonstrate different styles of leadership based on the people and circumstance.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kenneth L. Ragland.
Retired Sergeant Kenneth L. Ragland is the founder and Executive Director of the Henrico Police Athletic League, which focuses on building positive relationships between police officers and youth through educational, recreational, and athletic programs. Henrico PAL is a nonprofit, state licensed, evidence-based youth crime prevention program that serves over 4500 youth annually and has over 70 employees. Retired Sergeant Ragland is also the newly elected President of the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues Inc., which serves over 200 PAL Chapters and engaging over 2 million youth annually. He grew up as a PAL kid in Philadelphia, PA and spent 24 years as a law enforcement officer with the Philadelphia Transit Police and Henrico County Division of Police prior to retirement in 2013. Retired Sergeant Ragland serves on several local, state and national boards. He has extensive experience and knowledge in creating nonprofits and organizational development. Retired Sgt. Ragland possesses a Bachelors’ Degree as well as a Post Bachelorette Certificate and Masters’ Degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Growing up in the Philadelphia PAL Boxing Program as a kid raised by a single mother, police officers were some of my mentors and coaches which ultimately led me to a career in law enforcement. The Philadelphia PAL Program served as a safe haven for me as a youth and provided me with the support needed to believe I could go to college and dream of a life beyond my neighborhood. Based on PAL’s foundational influence on my life, I wanted to create similar experiences for the youth in my community through the establishment of a PAL Program. In 2007, while working for the Henrico County Police Division in Virginia I was tasked with the responsibility of establishing a PAL Program to create positive relationships between underserved youth in the Henrico County and our police officers. Through the success of Henrico PAL, in 2012, I was afforded the opportunity to become a part of the National PAL Board.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
Recently while representing National PAL at a conference at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland I was afforded the opportunity to meet Lonnie Ali, the widow of my childhood idol Muhammad Ali. During our brief discussion, I explained to Mrs. Ali that her late husband was the inspiration which led me to the Philadelphia PAL Boxing Program. Muhammad Ali was introduced to the sport of boxing through the Louisville PAL Program. My recent election as the President of National PAL has come full circle. Due to Muhammad Ali’s life and accomplishments, I stand in a position to help enhance the lives of millions of throughout the United States.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
In the early stages of establishing a PAL Program in my county, one of our elected officials who was considered ultra conservative didn’t initially support PAL. At first, I thought their lack of support was because they didn’t see the value in enhancing police-community relations. However, after learning more about the PAL Program and seeing the benefits of the program manifested in the lives of our community’s youth, the elected official became one of our biggest supporters. Lesson learned: ‘Never judge a book by its cover.’
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
The National Police Athletic/Activities Leagues Inc and its chapters serve over 2 million youth annually. By engaging with police officers through educational, athletic, and recreational programs the youth we serve are equipped with the fundamental skills to become successful and productive citizens.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
In 2008, I started mentoring a teenager in my community through the PAL Program. He first entered the program by participating in our Summer Camp and subsequently joined the Youth Leadership Council. He later became the President of the YLC and was selected as the 2011 National PAL Youth of the Year Winner. After high school, he went on to receive a full scholarship to Duke University. Upon graduating, he went on to grad school at Georgetown University. After grad school he entered the military as a commissioned officer with plans to work for the federal government in the future. Throughout his college years and military tenure he has volunteered in our PAL Program and makes monthly donations to help other youth follow his path.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
- Invest resources in PAL Chapters in their respective jurisdiction to ensure all youth are afforded the opportunity to learn, play, and live in a stable environment.
- Advocate for a PAL Program if one doesn’t exist in their town, city or county.
- Demand their law enforcement agency has a comprehensive strategy to develop community trust through programmatic engagement.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership for me is the ability to influence others to accomplish a specific goal and/or mission. The best leaders are those who possess the ability to demonstrate different styles of leadership based on the people and circumstance.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
1 . Always trust in God’s promises and not my thoughts.
2 . Remember to delegate when possible, to reduce the risk of burnout and stress
3 . Take out time to spend more time with my family and loved ones. Life is too short!
4 . Always focus your efforts on doing things the right way and not right away. This will improve your chances of being successful and accomplishing your goals.
5 . Find a mentor and take their advice in areas where you’re weak.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Encourage people to love one another as God has loved us. Love is the only remedy to hate.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“An individual has truly started to live until he or she can rise above the narrow confines of their own individual concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” Martin Luther King Jr. This quote has always resonated with me based on the sense of community service my mother instilled in me.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neil based on his commitment to community service as a supporter of youth and law enforcement.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
www.nationalpal.org, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Sgt Kenneth Ragland of National Association of Police Athletic… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.