Fagan Harris: Mobilizing the Young for Baltimore

Fagan Harris, 28
Co-founder and Chief Executive, Baltimore Corps

“Why not you?” The question, posed to Fagan Harris by his mother throughout his childhood, inspired him to return to his native city after serving as a staff member at the White House Council for Community Solutions and to help found the Baltimore Corps in 2013. The nonprofit recruits young professionals to improve life in Baltimore by working in fellowships at charities and companies or in government positions. So far, it has placed 45 fellows at 30 organizations.

The nonprofit also recently worked with KaBoom and the Annie E. Casey Foundation to start a new program, Play More B’More, which trains and employs local teenagers and young adults to run recreational activities for children.

“When I see both possibility and challenge, I say, ‘Why not me, why not now, why not Baltimore?’ ” Mr. Harris says. “We set our own horizons.”