The professionals who came to inspire students during Black Professionals Day on Feb. 18 included soldiers, scientists, surgeons, lawyers, business owners, attorneys, engineers and more.
The 24 speakers included Liane Jackson, a journalist, lecturer and law editor for Forbes magazine and attorney. “Try to have fun, but also stay on your grind, because it’s going to be…a long road to get to, where you ultimately want to be,” she said.
The event was held in the auditorium and was open for students to come in during 2nd and 3rd periods to learn about career pathways.
“I’m all about students here at the school opening their eyes to other opportunities,” said Ty Garland, OPRF community outreach coordinator and parent liaison who planned the event along with others including Latonya Applewhite, Executive Director of Equity and Student Success.
Garland said the program would have benefited him as a high school student. “There were times when I was in high school, I just couldn’t see past high school,” he said. “I made it my job and my point and my passion here to make sure that these kids can see there’s options once you leave here.” His biggest piece of advice for students to succeed in the building is to start off on the path to success as a freshman so there is no need to dig theirselves out of a hole the rest of their years here.
During the event, the visiting professionals were split into groups, and students completed stations listening and asking questions. Students were engaged, many sticking around after to make personal connections with the speakers. A common piece of advice from many professionals who attended the event was to get involved. Marz Timms, an OPRF Alum, comedian and owner of Comedy Plex, encouraged students to “take advantage of all the opportunities that this high school has to offer. There is a lot of opportunity. You just have to seek these things out.”
In an interview, Jackson left OPRF students with this piece of advice: “You can and will succeed, as long as you stay focused and stay confident and are a hard worker, you will shine.”
Black Professionals Day is only one of many events planned by the Office of Equity and Student Success (OESS) designed to highlight opportunities for students of color. The National African American Involvement Parent Dinner also took place on Feb. 25 and an Arab Professionals Day is scheduled for April. For those looking to follow events held by the OESS, follow the OPRF Huskies page and the Daily Bulletin for information regarding future events.
