B.E.S.T. Leaders on Leadership Breakfast
November 12, 2025
On November 6th B.E.S.T. hosted its annual Leaders on Leadership Breakfast at The Center Club in Baltimore. The room was filled with warmth and purpose as more than 200 guests gathered to celebrate leadership, community, and the lasting impact of the Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust. Among those in attendance were Funders, Community Trustees, Heads of School, partners, friends of B.E.S.T., and B.E.S.T. Upper School students and Alumni.
This year’s honored speakers were B.E.S.T. and McDonogh School Alumnus Damian Perkins ’92, and Debi Young, an award-winning makeup artist for television and film and the proud mother of B.E.S.T. Board President Karlo Young. Both speakers shared stories of perseverance, gratitude, and faith in the power of community. Their words reminded students that staying true to your beliefs and the values that shape you will carry you far.
A heartfelt thank you to B.E.S.T. Deputy Director, Crystal Lee ’96 and Board of Trustees President, Karlo Young for their remarks which helped make the morning so special. Our time together was a beautiful reminder of how powerful our connections are, past, present, and future. With resilience, perseverance, gratitude, and the support of community, we can all thrive and reach our dreams. We remain deeply grateful to our partners, funders, and friends for being such meaningful members of the B.E.S.T. family and for their support in the work we do each day to champion our remarkable students.
Pictured left to right: B.E.S.T. Board President Karlo Young, Honored Speaker Debi Young, B.E.S.T. & McDonogh School Alumnus Damian Perkins ’92, B.E.S.T. Executive Director Jessica Suriano
