Masters Students Head to Young Men of Color Symposium

A group of Masters School students and one member of the faculty headed into New York City on Saturday, November 9, to attend the Young Men of Color Symposium, a leadership conference for young self-identified men of color in grades 6 through 12 in the New York City area and beyond.

Middle school English teacher and equity and inclusion coordinator Chris Mizell, Caleb Jakes ’22, Adam Bello ’24, Shawn Pichardo ’24 and Arjun Ratan ’24 participated in the daylong conference at Collegiate School, the goal of which is to empower students to affect positive change in their lives and their communities. Mizell said that the event was a great opportunity for young self-identified men of color to build community and make connections. “For possibly one of the few times in their year, they’ll be in a room where they aren’t a minority,” Mizell said. “That can be a powerful experience. And forming friendships and partnerships with each other is valuable in extending that experience.” 

Ratan echoed Mizell’s sentiment, saying that it was inspiring to spend the day with other young men of color: “I got to meet so many people like me. My biggest takeaway was that being different is something I can embrace.” 

The day included affinity group conversations and a keynote address by Darnell Moore, who spoke about the ways to fight toxic masculinity. 

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