Faculty at Match High School, led by 9th grade English teacher Ashley Davis and dean of students Robert Hendricks, organized a career panel discussion for all students as part of the school’s celebration of Black History Month. Students were invited to ask questions and learn from men and women of color working in a variety of professions.

Here are a couple of the questions that helped to guide panelists' remarks:

1. Code-switching happens when a person has to purposefully change his/her speech, behavior, etc. depending on the setting he/she is in. Describe a time when you've had to code-switch in the workplace.

2. Describe the racial makeup of the people at your place of work. Would you say its diverse enough? Why or why not? If not, how does it influence your day-to-day experience as a person of color?

“Black History Month is not only an opportunity to acknowledge the great influence that Black Americans have played in shaping this country’s history; it is an opportunity to also observe the great potential we have to impact our future.”

— Patrick McDowell

The boys heard from six men of color, while the girls heard from seven women. They talked through a wide range of issues -- from the simple (“what did you major in at college?”) to the not-so-simple (“how does our culture (as Black or Latino) affect our identity in the workplace?”).

Here are a few highlights from the afternoon:

On the purpose of the panel: “This is one of the things I especially wanted to do, so you benefit from what I would have benefitted from when I was your age.” - Ashley Davis, English Teacher, Match High School

On taking a risk: ”You don’t need other people to believe in you -- you need to believe in you. If you believe in yourself, you can do it.”- Daniel Joiner, student, Harvard Law School

On activism: “It’s important to speak your mind and offer up your perspective [as a person of color], or your experience can get lost.” - Jasmine Carr, student, Harvard Law School

On identity as a first generation-college student: “Your differences don’t make you not professional or not belong here [in the workplace] -- you do belong here.” - Patrick McDowell, financial analyst, Arrowstreet Capital LP

Thank you to our panel participants for being so generous with their time and experiences: Andrea, parent advocate and entrepreneur; Jasmine Carr, student, Harvard Law School; Michele Carroll, director of employment, Match Beyond; Stesha Emmanuel*, attorney, Todd & Weld, LLP; Craig Engerman, CEO, Arimann Building Services; Elyshia Hairston*, associate, Iron Mountain; Daniel Joiner, student, Harvard Law School; Kelsey, student, Harvard Law School; Terrence Lomax, entrepreneur, Thinkforward Media; Patrick McDowell, financial analyst, Arrowstreet Capital LP; Jessica Popper, nail technician; Travis Roache*, technology operator, IBM; Kevin T. Taylor, educational C.O.O., KIPP Schools MA.

*Match High School graduate