B.E.S.T. Leaders on Leadership Breakfast
November 18, 2024
On Thursday, November 7th, B.E.S.T. hosted its annual Leaders on Leadership Breakfast at The Center Club in Baltimore. The event was a poignant celebration, bringing together over 200 distinguished guests, including funders, Community Trustees, Heads of School, partners, friends of B.E.S.T., and, most importantly, B.E.S.T. Upper School students and Alumni. We were thrilled to welcome Mr. Bill Greene, who served as Gilman’s first Black faculty member in 1968 and who later served as Assistant Headmaster from 1987-2001, working closely with then Head of School Redmond C.S. Finney, to increase educational opportunities for African American students at Baltimore independent schools. Mr. Green’s support and influence helped shape B.E.S.T. in our earliest days 37 years ago, and it was so special to have him, and his son, join us for this important morning.
This year’s Honored Speakers included B.E.S.T. Alumna Keyia Yalcin ’02 and long-standing B.E.S.T. Trustee Michael Ford, both of whom delivered heartfelt and inspiring messages about resilience, endurance and grit.
Keyia reflected on her time at St. Paul’s School for Girls, recalling how the school provided opportunities to explore new interests and broaden her perspective through travel and cultural experiences. These moments helped her develop a strong sense of self and a deep comfort in her own identity—foundations that would support her personal and professional growth throughout college and beyond. She credited B.E.S.T. for giving her the chance to experience independent school life, saying, “I’m grateful for the opportunity B.E.S.T. provided me years ago, and I can honestly say it changed the trajectory of my life.”
Keyia emphasized the importance of building a life driven by personal aspirations and dreams, rather than conforming to the expectations of others. She encouraged the students to stay focused on their own path and pursue what feels meaningful to them. She reminded them that the journey to a fulfilling life doesn’t happen overnight—it can take 20, 30, or even 40 years to build – and that’s perfectly okay. Her resounding message was that as long as you remain true to yourself and your goals, you will continue to make progress.
Michael’s deep connection with B.E.S.T. came full circle in a powerful and moving moment as he shared an inspirational reflection, blending personal experiences with affirmations that have become central to his growth, achievement, and healing. He set the tone for his speech by engaging the audience in a call-and-response exercise centered around key affirmations—words that, as he later revealed, have sustained him throughout his life’s journey.
As Michael shared pivotal moments from his formative years, he reflected on strategies he developed to overcome obstacles and break down barriers in pursuit of his goals. These strategies became the foundation for his 30-year career trajectory in law, business operations, human resources and diversity and inclusion at MBNA America, Marriott International, Hilton Worldwide, and Boeing.
A strong advocate for empowering diverse communities, Michael is a champion of education to level the playing field. His 27-year commitment to B.E.S.T. fuels his soul and embodies his philosophy of service so that all may experience the power of possibility and energy of achievement.
Board President, Karlo Young, wrapped up the morning with a personal reflection on a lesson his mother imparted to him throughout his life—the importance of recognizing a divine design for his journey. For Karlo, Mr. Bill Greene played a significant role in that divine design, as he was instrumental in creating Karlo’s pathway to Gilman School. Karlo encouraged students to think critically about the balance between consumption and creation, urging them to use their talents, curiosity, and skills to go deeper than those around them and focus on creating something meaningful. He also emphasized the importance of building strong relationships, seeking mentorship, and setting clear boundaries and priorities that align with one’s goals.
A heartfelt thank you to B.E.S.T. Trustees, Ereni Malfa, Head of St. Paul’s School for Girls, and B.E.S.T. Trustee Emeritus, Theo Rodgers, for introducing our Honored Speakers and helping to make the morning truly special. The time we spent together served as an important reminder that the relationships we build—both now and in the future—are invaluable. Through resilience and perseverance, we can all thrive and achieve our dreams, supported by the love and encouragement of our community. We also extend our gratitude to our partners, funders, and friends for being such thoughtful and impactful members of the B.E.S.T. family.
