Kenneth Lanelle Ragland grew up in inner-city Philadelphia, an area that struggled with poverty and crime. His positive experience with the Philadelphia Police Athletic League (PAL) inspired him to pursue a career focused on creating opportunities for young people in similar circumstances. 

“The Philadelphia PAL was more than a program to me, it was a lifeline,” he said. “It provided the support and belief I needed to envision a life beyond my neighborhood.”

Ragland attended Overbrook High School, known for its notable alumni such as Will Smith and Wilt Chamberlain.

Growing up in West Philadelphia, he had the chance to experience opportunities beyond his immediate neighborhood. Ragland recognizes the impact these experiences had on his life.

Ragland had friends in Henrico and relocated to the Richmond area. He joined the Henrico Police Department in 1993 and worked as a supervisor and detective in white-collar crime and burglary.

Ragland founded Henrico County PAL in 2007 to improve the relationship between the police and the community. He credits the leadership of the Henrico County government and the Henrico PAL Board for his rise to president of the National PAL.

“I’m very thankful to the county Board of Supervisors, which governs with a heart, for allowing me to lead Henrico PAL,” he says. “It is regarded as one of the premier PAL programs in the country, serving over 4,000 youths annually.”

Ragland, who is engaged to be married next year, leads a busy life balancing personal commitments with his professional goals. He maintains a healthy lifestyle and enjoys fitness activities when time allows. His community involvement continues, with a focus on the upcoming capital campaign for the Henrico PAL Youth & Family Recreation and Education Center.

Meet Kenneth Lanelle Ragland, a Philadelphia-born leader and advocate for under-served youths and this week’s Personality:

Volunteer position: 2024 President of the National Police Athletic/Activities League, Inc. (National PAL) Board of Directors.

Occupation: Founder and executive director of the Henrico Police Athletic League (Henrico PAL).

Date and place of birth: Feb. 6 in Philadelphia.

Where I live now: Henrico County.

Education: Bachelor’s in organizational management from Bluefield College, a post-bachelor certificate in public safety from Virginia Commonwealth University, a master’s in criminal justice from VCU.

Family: Son, Kenneth Ragland Jr., daughter Domonique Ragland and grandson Ka’dyn Ragland.

Tell us about the National Police Athletic League (PAL): We are a premier youth non-profit organization and the leading resource for law enforcement engagement with youths, families and juvenile crime prevention.

Mission: The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, (National PAL) and its chapters work nationwide to promote the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships with kids, cops and communities through positive engagement.

When, where and why was the National PAL founded: In 1910, the New York Police Department created the Police Athletic League to provide at-risk youths and gang members with activities to reduce crime and develop positive relationships with the police department.

Number of local PAL non-profit organizations in the

U.S.: Over 350 chapters serve over 2 million youths.

When were the local PALs founded: Richmond PAL, Virginia’s oldest PAL, was founded in 1989, Henrico PAL in 2007 and Chesterfield PAL in 2018.

How I became involved with PAL and then National PAL: I grew up in the Philadelphia PAL Boxing Program as a kid raised by a single mother. The police officers were some of my mentors and coaches, ultimately leading me to a career in law enforcement.

In 2007, I was working as a sergeant with the Henrico County Police Division when I was tapped to create positive relationships between underserved youths in Henrico County and our police officers.

I was fortunate to have the support of the former Board of Supervisors Chair Frank Thornton.

That success launched my work as a trustee on the National PAL Board.

When elected National board president: I was elected in May 2024 in San Diego.

Why I accepted the position: I wanted to ensure National PAL continues to be the world’s premier youth crime prevention.

Length of term: Two years.

No. 1 goal or project as national board president: My first goal is to enhance the organization’s infrastructure to ensure stability and continuity, which will create a platform to broaden National PAL’s brand and improve our ability to secure unrestricted funding.

Strategy for achieving goal: Develop an operations plan to share with the National PAL Board, staff and local chapters, providing a clear and concise direction for the organization.

My No. 1 challenge: Strategically raising awareness about PAL nationally to attract the financial resources needed to help even more American youths.

Status of Richmond PAL: Richmond PAL is not currently engaging youths in any programs while awaiting an audit.

Describe Richmond PAL struggles and my plans to help: What lies at the root of Richmond PAL’s struggles is what plagues many floundering PAL programs. PALs run by police departments often lack the skills to operate a non-profit organization effectively because police officers, while very good at policing, are not business people.

Best practices have proven that to effectively run a PAL program, a holistic partnership must exist between the police department and the community.

PAL programs that thrive, such as Henrico PAL and others, allow police departments to focus on engaging youth through programs while seeking partnerships with organizations that focus on the business aspects. I plan to partner with Richmond to re-establish their PAL program.

One way I have witnessed PAL make a difference in a young person’s life: In 2008, I started mentoring a teenager in my community through the Henrico PAL Program. He participated in our first summer camp and 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.

After high school, he attended Duke University on a full scholarship and graduate school at Georgetown University. He then became a commissioned officer in the military with plans to work for the federal government in the future. He also volunteers in our PAL program.

How to become involved with PAL in Henrico and Chesterfield: Henrico PAL can be reached by visiting our website at www.henricopal.org, calling (804) 262-HPAL (4725), or emailing info@henricopal.org.

Chesterfield PAL can be reached by calling Sgt. Joey Kierson at (804) 221-0982 or emailing kiersonj@chesterfield.gov.

Upcoming local PAL events: Henrico PAL’s state-licensed after-school programs at Baker, Dumbarton, Harvie, and Pinchbeck elementary schools kick off Aug.19. The 14th Annual Henrico PAL Award Banquet on Oct. 24 will feature comedian Tommy Davidson as the keynote speaker.

How I start the day: My day always begins with prayer and the humble request to be a better person than I was the previous day.

Three words that best describe me: Energetic, resolute and empathic

If I had 10 extra minutes in the day: I would meditate more to hear God’s daily instructions for my life.

Best late-night snack: Popcorn.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Flying kites.

A quote that inspires me: “A person has not started to live until he or she can rise above the narrow confines of their own individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The best thing my mother ever taught me: My mother taught me the importance of being a servant leader. Her commitment to serving her community and placing others above herself contributed to my decision to spend my life as a public servant.

Most influential book: “Manchild in the Promised Land” by Claude Brown.

Currently reading: “Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself,” by Dr. Joe Dispenza.

Next goal: To continue being an unapologetic advocate for American youth and fighting for underserved Richmond area youth.