Throughout the year, guest speakers—expert and accomplished leaders, thinkers, researchers, artists, and public servants—speak to the boys and faculty on a broad range of topics.

Hall Program

One of our most valuable resources is the stream of distinguished speakers who come to Roxbury Latin to share their real-world experiences in Hall (our term for all-school assemblies). Several times each month, throughout the school year, guest speakers—expert and accomplished leaders, thinkers, researchers, artists, and public servants—speak to the boys and faculty on a broad range of topics. In the best classical tradition, Halls—and the exchange of ideas they inspire—virtually always conclude with a question and answer session involving the student audience, inspiring conversation that continues well after the bell has rung for the start of classes. Hall speakers and performers tap the rich talent of Boston and beyond, including Roxbury Latin’s own distinguished alumni. Frequently, these guests stay with us on campus through the morning to attend classes or meet with smaller groups of students, continuing the lively exchanges sparked in the morning’s Hall.

Formal occasions take place in Rousmaniere Hall, one of RL’s iconic spaces, rich in history. These special programs mark noteworthy moments in the life of the school—opening of term, Founder’s Day, Exelauno Day—and in the life of the country—Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Martin Luther King Day. These Halls often include readings delivered by students and faculty, and much singing by everyone in attendance.

Throughout the year, we also hear from members of our own community—students and faculty—who are regularly invited to deliver a talk to the entire school, marking a special moment or honor.

Some of our recent Hall speakers include:

  • John Brennan, Former Director of the CIA
  • Charlie Baker, Former Governor of Massachusetts
  • Juliette Kayyem, Homeland security expert
  • Esther Duflo, Nobel Prize-winning economist
  • Anthony Doerr, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of All the Light We Cannot See
  • Bret Stephens, Famed conservative New York Times columnist
  • Stephen Hoge, President of Moderna
  • Gina McCarthy, Former Administrator of the EPA
  • Joshua Bennett, Renowned spoken word poet and author
  • Lisa Monaco, U.S. Deputy Attorney General
  • Juan Enriquez, Futurist, technologist, and author
  • Sylvia Lopez-Chavez, Famed Boston street artist
  • Matthew Desmond, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Evicted
  • Stefan Jackiw ’03, Internationally renowned violinist
  • Jonathan Edwards, American folk singer
  • Lisa Piccarillo, Award-winning mathematician
  • Clint Smith, Poet and best-selling author
  • Mohamad Hafez, Syrian artist and activist
  • American Shakespeare Center, whose members performed Antigone
  • Andrew Sullivan, Award-winning journalist and political commentator
  • Mansoor Shams, U.S. Marine veteran and Muslim youth leader
  • Robert Gates, Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
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