On February 4, alumnus Obiora “Bo” Menkiti spoke to Roxbury Latin students and faculty about the experiences that have taken him from homeschool, to RL, to Harvard, to where he is now: the founder and CEO of both The Menkiti Group and Keller Williams Capital Properties (KWCP)—companies dedicated to transforming communities through real estate in urban markets.

“Thoreau said, ‘In the long run men hit only what they aim at,’” said Mr. Menkiti. “So the question becomes, what are you aiming at? For us that vision, early on, was a vision of an America where all communities are thriving, diverse, and economically vibrant places to live. In a country that’s increasingly separated, with increasing wealth disparity, and increasing issues around housing, affordable housing, and homelessness—this was a vision that drew us forward.”

Before working in real estate, Mr. Menkiti worked at College Summit, a non-profit that took him around the country to help high school students apply for college. He returned home from one of these trips to find that his neighbor and friend, an elderly woman next door, had died during the weeks he was away.

“I thought I was out there changing the broad world,” said Mr. Menkiti, “and I realized that I wasn’t present for the person right on the other side of the row house wall from me, where I slept every night. And it got me thinking, ‘What could I do to make a difference right here, where I am right now, in my neighborhood?’ And that’s the genesis of this company I have the opportunity to run today.”

Mr. Menkiti started by selling several nearby houses to friends, and reinvesting his commissions in the community. Today The Menkiti Group and KWCP are among the fastest-growing private companies in the country, and two of the fastest growing inner-city businesses in America. Mr. Menkiti is now able to reinvest far more than commission checks into communities.

“If you can take capital and reinvest into the infrastructure of neighborhoods that have been underinvested in, you can support small businesses to move there and thrive, and you start to create activity, and that activity draws people—people who are there have a better quality of life, and new people come back into those communities… it creates pride, it brings in arts and culture, it starts to change educational, health, and safety outcomes.”

The Menkiti Group focuses its investments on cities with strong macro demographic and economic fundamentals and neighborhoods where there is a perception that prevents people from seeing its real value.

“I think that’s the thing that I’ve been most passionate about,” says Mr. Menkiti. “This idea that in life there are people… there are communities that have value, and that the ability to reach down inside and highlight that value—to give that value and talent an opportunity to shine—is one of the most important things you can do. In many ways it’s what Roxbury Latin did for me.”

The Wyner Lecture—established in 1985 by Jerry Wyner, Class of 1943, and his sister, Elizabeth Wyner Mark—is a living memorial to their father, Rudolph Wyner, Class of 1912. Past speakers in the lecture series include historian and author Doris Kearns Goodwin; Schindler’s List Holocaust survivor Rena Finder; Billy Shore, founder of Share Our Strength and the No Kid Hungry campaign; Mark Edwards, founder of Opportunity Nation; and, in 2019, Dr. Iqbal Dhaliwal of MIT; Jameel Poverty-Action Lab. RL is grateful to continue shedding light on important social issues through the Wyner Lecture.

“We are all… tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. …before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half of the world. We aren’t going to have peace on earth until we recognize this basic fact of the interrelated structure of all reality.”
-The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On January 21, Roxbury Latin welcomed back Frantz Alphonse, Class of 1990, who delivered the address at the school’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall. Frantz is co-founder and senior managing director of AP Capital Holdings (APCH) and co-founder of AP Capital Partners. In his role with APCH, he advises individuals in some of the world’s largest corporations so they can influence wide-scale positive change. His book, Total Inclusion Capitalism, which outlines his corporate problem-solving model Simultaneous Outcome Thinking, is due out in 2021. The above quote from Martin Luther King, Frantz shared on Tuesday, is the sum total of his life’s work.

Now more than ever, Frantz asserted, the world is in desperate need of selfless leadership. “I am convinced that how our corporate sector approaches three emerging challenges—climate and sustainability; technology and the third industrial revolution; and equal access and wealth inequality—will be critical to the well-being of us all,” he said. Frantz’s corporate strategy allows companies to address all three challenges simultaneously. The third challenge, he says, is the nearest and dearest to his heart. While wealth inequality isn’t only an issue of race, Frantz did share two startling facts: according to the Institute for Policy Studies, the average African-American household has lost 75% of its wealth in the last 30 years. The average Latino household has lost 50% of its wealth in the same time period. It is critical, Frantz said, for our powerful corporate entities to tackle the human rights challenges of our time and to, as he put it, “commit to a larger vision of ourselves.”

Frantz expressed gratitude to his RL masters for teaching him how to do this kind of thinking. Finding one elegant solution that can address a number of problems at the same time is a passion and a skill that began for him in the classrooms of the Perry building, in Mr. Buckley’s art classroom, and in Rousmaniere Hall, where he stood Tuesday morning. He encouraged every boy in the Hall to remain dedicated to a life of service, to acting for something larger than himself. “It is a heroic act to serve,” he stated.

Frantz continued the year’s 375th anniversary series of alumni—“Men of RL”—returning to campus to share their experiences and perspectives—personal and professional—intended to inform and inspire today’s students and offer a window into what’s possible.

On January 6, the students, faculty and staff gathered in Rousmaniere Hall to formally commence the Opening of Winter Term, with more than 60 special guests in attendance. Those guests included current and former trustees—including all three living board presidents: Harry Lewis ‘65, Dennis Kanin ‘64, and Bob O’Connor ‘85. The special anniversary convocation was intended to honor Roxbury Latin’s “feoffees” and trustees over 375 years, and to celebrate, especially, Dennis Kanin, for his long-standing and unwavering commitment to Roxbury Latin.

“When John Eliot admonished his successors to ensure that The Roxbury Latin School would prepare its students ‘for service in Church and Commonwealth,’ he was simply putting before them the urgent ambition that the school’s graduates would lead and serve,” began Headmaster Brennan. “To lead and serve does not simply mean in politics or actions on behalf of a cause or party. Indeed, the leading and serving we care about has to do with everyday lives and people who make a positive difference on behalf of communities large and small, insignificant and consequential. You are called to that kind of life. And, indeed, you need look no farther than this school’s trustees over 375 years to know the kind of loyalty, self-sacrifice, and commitment to a cause that mark their lives, and indeed their leadership and service on behalf of Roxbury Latin and the ideals for which it stands.”

After a reading delivered by Charter Trustee Anne McNay, and after Assistant Headmaster Emeritus Bill Chauncey read portions of Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena,” Professor Harry Lewis ‘65—former board president and Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science at Harvard—shared with the students (through clear, accessible, and funny metaphors) what a trustee’s role actually is. Professor Lewis knows well long-standing institutions—the dynamics and complexities, the successes and opportunities—and he has long served as a great steward of RL. In Hall he described himself and his fellow trustees as: the turtles, the climate, and the people. Read Professor Lewis’s remarks in their entirety.

Finally, everyone who was gathered in Rousmaniere Hall turned to honor the man of the hour, Dennis Kanin, who was joined by his wife, Carol; three sons—Zach ‘01, Jonah ‘04, and Frank ‘06; dear friend Niki Tsongas; and several members of the Tsongas family.

“Mr. Kanin’s eagerness to lead and serve was evident from his school days here, during which he showed the virtuous spirit and belief in the political process that would serve as the leitmotif of his whole life,” described Mr. Brennan. “During his schoolboy days he was co-editor of Tripod, played football and soccer, acted, and sang in the Glee Club. As a senior, he co-founded Massachusetts Teen Democrats. At Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Mr. Kanin led efforts in opposition to the Vietnam War and on behalf of greater student empowerment. He became involved in the campaigns of several catalytic Democratic candidates: Gene McCarthy, George McGovern, and Ted Kennedy. Most notable, however, was Mr. Kanin’s political and personal partnership with his dear friend Paul Tsongas. Mr. Kanin both ran his campaign for the House of Representatives and then served as his chief of staff. Subsequently, he would run Paul Tsongas’s successful Senate campaigns and his unsuccessful run for President.

“In these instances Mr. Kanin’s distinctive ability to utilize political knowhow on behalf of worthy causes, and the candidates who champion them, earned him the notice and admiration of all those in the political establishment—locally and nationally… From 2000 until his retirement as a Life Trustee in 2018, Mr. Kanin served our Board and Roxbury Latin with unfailing energy, integrity, and effectiveness. For nine years, when he served as the President of the Board, I had the pleasure of his partnership advancing causes in which we and, ultimately, the whole Board believed. Mr. Kanin’s faithfulness to the school’s mission and his unselfish eagerness to give others credit for the good work he had done served him well as he led the school’s acquisition of 35 additional acres; authored the first Strategic Plan in the school’s history; established a financial model that would ensure our need-blind admission and enrollment commitment and ensure a distinctively representative student body; and solidified the historic decision to proceed with the renovation of existing athletic facilities and the building of the Indoor Athletic facility and Hennessy Rink. This year he serves as chairman of the celebration of our 375th anniversary. More important than any of this, however, is the model Mr. Kanin offered for humble, smart, tireless leadership—leadership on behalf of the school he loves and the values for which it stands… No one I know so consistently follows a North Star that guides him ethically, politically, and personally.”

Renovation projects often involve significant changes to a building, from upgraded facilities and expanded spaces to improvements that create a more functional environment. Once the major construction work is complete, attention naturally turns to the finishing details that give the renovated areas a clean and cohesive appearance. Fresh paint on walls, ceilings and other surfaces can bring the updated design together while creating a polished atmosphere. The final painting stage is also important for maintaining a consistent appearance throughout newly renovated spaces. Experienced commercial painters can work across larger areas and different surfaces, ensuring the finish complements the improvements already made. With the right colours and carefully applied coatings, the completed renovation feels more unified and ready for everyday use, events and visitors.

Two tangible works of art were then unveiled, both honoring Mr. Kanin in different ways. The first: a portrait of him, commissioned by the school, and painted by the remarkable portrait artist Jason Bouldin. The second: In Tony Jarvis’s fifth and final book, titled Men of Roxbury—published by the famed Boston publisher of fine books, David Godine, RL Class of 1962—Mr. Jarvis included the following dedication:

Dedicated with profound gratitude and affection to Dennis Roy Kanin, Class of 1964. Trustee 2000-2018, President 2006-2015. Wise, strong, and courageous leader—unifying and conciliating peacemaker—who, in the hour of need, was the man of the hour. Scholae Salvator.

On November 11, Headmaster Brennan welcomed students, faculty, staff, and three dozen guests—alumni, parents, grandparents—to Roxbury Latin’s annual Veterans Day Hall, which honors, as Mr. Brennan began, “those veterans who are with us, and also all those others who have served our country in peacetime and wartime over the past 250 years. Their commitment, loyalty, and service to our country, to the values for which it stands, and for each one of us ought never to be forgotten.” Several veteran alumni, parents, and former faculty members were in the audience, and invited to stand to be recognized.

Following a welcome by Mr. Brennan—which included a brief history of Armistice Day, and of the RL alumni who committed their lives to military service—came a reading by senior Cameron Estrada titled The Blue and the Gray, by Francis Miles Finch. Rousing renditions of the songs America, I Vow to Thee My Country, and God Bless America—and a performance of Waitin’ for The Dawn of Peace by the Glee Club—rounded out a celebration that culminated in three brief and powerful addresses by three RL alumni who serve, or have recently served, in the U.S. military, including Lieutenant Thomas Buckley ‘11 (Navy), Captain Colin Murphy ‘05 (Marine Corps), and Staff Officer Josh Rivers ‘11 (Army). Each of these men shared with students the very different paths that led them to military service; stories of what their experience has been like, both state-side and abroad; and how their decision to serve has affected their lives in positive ways.

In this 375th anniversary year, Roxbury Latin is honoring its alumni, in particular, as examples of leadership, service, and excellence, representing a wide range of pursuits and passions. Throughout the year these “Men of RL” are visiting campus and interacting with students in the form of Halls, performances, exhibits, panel discussions, and classroom visits. Thomas, Colin, and Josh played an important role in this series on November 11.

“Through these RL men we can draw a direct and impressive line to those WWII vets honored by the school several years ago, to four RL alumni casualties in the Civil War, and to RL’s most famous veteran, General Joseph Warren, Class of 1755, who lost his life at Bunker Hill. The inclination to serve our country is a natural extension of John Eliot’s admonition to serve as he said, ‘in Church and Commonwealth,’” said Headmaster Brennan.

On November 5, Roxbury Latin celebrated its annual Founder’s Day, honoring the very beginning of the school, founded in 1645 under King Charles I by “the good apostle” John Eliot. In this 375th anniversary year, the school celebrated the history of the City of Boston and Roxbury Latin’s place within it.

The day began in Rousmaniere Hall with choruses of “Jerusalem” and readings in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, and English from members of Class I. Massachusetts Maritime Academy Professor, and RL alumnus from the Class of 1982, Dr. Christopher Hannan gave the morning’s Hall address. Chris studied pre-modern European history at Harvard, earned his master’s in Medieval History from St. Andrew’s in Scotland, and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Colonial American History at Boston College. Chris has studied and written extensively about John Eliot, and on Tuesday morning he told stories from Eliot’s life of service as a teacher, writer, and evangelist. Chris focused particularly on the herculean task of creating a written Algonquin language from the spoken one and using it to translate the Bible, which Eliot undertook in order to convert the indigenous people to Christianity.

Hearing such accounts reminds us that the Scriptures have always traveled—across languages, cultures, and centuries—carried by hands committed to preserving and passing them on. When the Bible is treated not merely as a text but as a working companion in teaching, study, and service, its physical durability becomes part of that long tradition. A hardwearing cover safeguards pages that are meant to be opened often, whether in a hall filled with song or in the quiet labor of translation and reflection.

In this light, leather bible covers offer a practical continuity with the past: sturdy, dignified, and made to endure steady use. Easy to carry and built to protect, they echo the seriousness with which generations before us approached the Word—handled daily, respected deeply, and entrusted to endure well beyond a single moment or gathering.

That same sense of care and intention extends to the thoughtful tools that support regular engagement with Scripture, ensuring it remains accessible and usable across years of study and devotion. Just as durable covers protect what is frequently handled, well designed organizational aids help readers move confidently through the text, whether during public readings, personal reflection, or structured study. Bible Index Tabs provide a simple yet meaningful way to navigate the Word efficiently, allowing the reader to focus less on searching and more on understanding and teaching. By combining practicality with reverence, these small additions honor the tradition of Scripture as a living, working companion, respected not only for its message but also for the role it plays in daily life, learning, and service.

At the conclusion of Hall, all 304 boys and more than 55 faculty and staff members piled onto the MBTA Commuter Rail for a full day in Boston’s Back Bay. (This is an appropriate time to thank all of the commuters who shared their train with us on Tuesday.) Throughout the day, boys got a faculty-guided tour of the Back Bay, meandering past the Boston Public Library and the Arlington Street Church, to the Public Garden and learning about the history of one of their city’s most historic neighborhoods. As they made their way down the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, boys regarded statues of the first published African writer in America Phyllis Wheatly, the abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, and the sailor and maritime historian Samuel Eliot Morrison, among others.

Then it was up to the Skywalk in the Prudential Center (after, for some, a quick pit stop at Eataly for gelato), where boys enjoyed panoramic views of the city and interactive exhibits on Boston’s history and neighborhoods. Before the train home, the group gathered in Trinity Church at Copley Square, considered by members of the American Association of Architects as one of the country’s top 10 most important buildings. Welcomed by Trinity Church’s rector and RL parent, Reverend Morgan Allen, boys learned the fascinating historical and architectural facts about the building itself. The British Consul General to New England, Harriet Cross, also spoke, offering her thoughts on the founding of Roxbury Latin and its ties over the years to England. 

From the literary legacy preserved in the public library to the spiritual heritage embodied in Trinity Church, each stop offered a tangible reminder that communities are built through the shared efforts of those committed to learning, service, and worship. These encounters foster a deeper appreciation for the traditions and institutions that continue to influence modern life, helping young people recognize the enduring value of places where history, faith, and public life meet. That same spirit of connection and continuity is essential for faith communities seeking to remain engaged and accessible in an increasingly digital age, where meaningful interaction often begins long before people walk through a church’s doors.

Just as a guided visit can help students better understand the heritage and mission of historic institutions, a thoughtful online presence can help congregations communicate their values, welcome newcomers, and strengthen the bonds within their communities. Through Pocket Faith Church Websites, ministries are able to present their mission clearly, share events and messages effectively, and maintain ongoing engagement that supports both spiritual growth and community participation. In this way, the traditions represented by historic churches and faith-centered institutions are carried forward into present-day ministry, ensuring that the same sense of belonging, purpose, and fellowship experienced in sacred spaces can continue to reach and inspire people in their everyday lives.

Back on campus there was ice cream for all, and another Founder’s Day was in the books. The day’s rain did not dampen spirits, and all enjoyed a special day, in a very special year.

View photos from this year’s Founder’s Day adventure.

On Thursday evening, alumni and faculty gathered for the annual Founder’s Day Pub Night in Boston. View photos from that gathering of friends.