Prep’s Ebony Club, in conjunction with the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Office of Student Life, hosted an Black History Month PM in the AM (Prep Men in the Morning) session on February 26, inviting two distinguished speakers to join us for a panel hosted by club members.
Organizing a range of programming each February, including an annual African Diaspora Breakfast earlier this month, Prep’s Ebony Club recognizes Black History Month as “an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.”
Prep alumnus William White, ’20 and Christopher A. Watson, M.Sc., Ph.D.(c) joined our student body in the gymnasium to discuss topics of urban planning and how it impacts the communities in which we live.
William White, ‘20 is a dedicated real estate investor and community advocate. The uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic led him to forgo traditional college education and instead embark on a career in real estate. He began by co-investing in a rental property in Delaware and has since expanded his ventures to New Jersey, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
In addition to his investment activities, William has gained valuable experience working on real estate projects in Nevada and Tennessee. Beyond his professional endeavors, he has served as a Community Advocate and Youth Mentor in New Jersey, developing programs to reduce youth violence and promote community engagement. He contributes to local wellness initiatives in New Hampshire as a Spartan Weightlifting Club Board Member. William’s journey demonstrates how adaptability and determination can lead to success in real estate and meaningful community contributions.
Christopher A. Watson, M.Sc., Ph.D.(c) is the Director of Planning and Development Services at Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP (MSW), where he leads development projects across New Jersey, with a focus on Newark. Previously, he served as City Planning Officer for Newark, advancing key initiatives under Mayor Ras J. Baraka, including the award-winning Newark360 master plan.
A recognized expert in planning and development, Chris has been honored by the American Planning Association, New Jersey Chapter, and has taught urban studies courses at Queens College, CUNY.
Originally from Guyana, Chris earned his undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Guyana and a master’s in Urban Affairs and Planning from Hunter College, CUNY. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at NJIT and Rutgers University, researching poverty, race, class, and gentrification in American cities. A longtime Newark resident, Chris is an avid supporter of the arts, an urban gardener, and a hiker.
During the discussion, Watson asked students to raise their hands if they lived locally in Jersey City. He then asked students who did not live in Jersey City to stand up and remain standing if they took a train through Newark Penn Station to arrive at school.
Finally, he asked which student thought he lived the farthest from Prep, prompting one from South Plainfield to speak up.
In doing so, Watson encouraged students to think about both the infrastructure that allows them to make such commutes and the ways people in New Jersey and beyond sometimes travel for access to opportunities, considerations that come into play around planning and zoning for communities.
The panel also explored other areas, such as the interplay between housing availability and population growth, affordability, and more.
In sharing his own experiences as a mentor, William White, ‘20 noted the impact of participating in service at Prep as part of our Jesuit mission of forming young men for and with others.
“I’d like to thank Saint Peter’s Prep for forcing us to volunteer work while in high school,” he said. “That was probably my life-affirming moment.”
Giving credit to his Prep teachers, he spoke of how such experiences have guided his own story thus far.
“Once we get past the [required] hours, it just became part of my life.”
In offering advice to the audience, Watson then urged Prep students to take control of their own agency,
“The first inspiration comes from yourself,” he said. “How am I exercising my agency for myself? You get up in the morning, you look yourself in the mirror, and you say: let me rescue me.”
He encouraged Prep students to take advantage of their local libraries in particular, noting the profound impact of having access to knowledge.
“Use your phone in your pocket. It gives you access to everything in the world,” he added, urging our students to consider if they are using that opportunity to their fullest possible advantage.
In closing, Ebony Club Co-president Charles Mays III, ‘25, shared final remarks.
“Your experiences and perspectives have given us all a lot to think about as we consider the ways in which our communities are shaped and the role we can play in their future,” he said. “To our students…We hope this conversation inspires you to continue exploring how urban planning impacts our lives and how we can work toward more equitable and inclusive spaces.”
PM in the AM (Prep Men in the Morning) sessions are part of a yearlong series featuring topics relevant to the formation of Jesuit high school students. We thank everyone who attended today.