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Public LifeLeadership

Yusuf Bello

Civic Programs Lead, OpenCity Foundation

Most young people who want to influence public life never speak in public. Yusuf argues that the most effective civic actors he funds are the quiet ones, and explains how he spots them.

Yusuf Bello

Key insights

  1. Insight 1

    Influence without volume

    Convening five people who would not otherwise meet is often higher leverage than a viral post.

  2. Insight 2

    What funders look for

    Specificity. A precise problem statement and one credible next step beats a sweeping vision every time.

  3. Insight 3

    Where to start

    Pick one institution you already touch every week and learn how it actually works.