Archie Roundtree Jr. is a senior attorney at Justice in Aging, a national organization that uses the power of law to fight senior poverty by securing access to affordable health care, economic security, and the courts for older adults with limited resources.
His role involves community enrichment, civil legal services, outreach, public policy and diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives.
Roundtree attended Morgan Park Academy through eighth grade in 2003 before going on to earn degrees at California State University, Northridge and the Seattle University School of Law.
“MPA helped me hone my unconventional traits, enriched my skills, and created a space for me to develop my voice,” he says. “Years later, those building blocks would lead to me speaking at the White House.”
Q&A
How did MPA shape who you are today?
My journey from Morgan Park Academy to college and then to law school led me to wonder where I would fit in, with my crinkly, curly, thick hair and my artsy nature.
At such a pivotal age I was led to believe that possibilities were endless and was encouraged to look inward and challenge myself. Today I am fortunate to be an attorney. The importance of fostering change in communities, through utilization of my unique traits and exploration of self continues to be a driving force.
MPA allowed me to see unconventionality as a strength. My curiosity in connecting unconventional silos continues through my involvement in national programs such as Equal Justice Works, Shriver Center Racial Justice Institute, Impact Mentorship, and the American Society on Aging’s RISE program.
MPA further shaped my desire to become a change agent. The school emboldens students to be community-centered and focused on change work. The classroom environment provided opportunities for me to shape my leadership praxis at an early age. Teachers served as guiding lights for students, while the administration consistently implemented strategies to foster community engagement within the local area and beyond.
Who at the school had a positive lasting impact on your journey?
I recall before enrolling in MPA, I attended the summer camp for several years. Initially, I was nervous, scared and missed my friends at my former school. However, I was also excited for my new adventure at MPA. I slowly made friends, participated in school activities, and became a part of the MPA family.
All the teachers and staff provided a positive impact, but there is always one that stands out. I will never forget stepping inside Jennifer Schmidt’s seventh-grade humanities classroom. I was challenged regarding my concept of the world, and she nurtured that into a new depth of realization and understanding. She helped establish my appreciation of the power of words, by demonstrating the potency of language. Most importantly, her classroom was a safe space for exploration. With each conversation and lesson, she was preparing me and my classmates to step into our dreams and aspirations.
I am fortunate Mrs. Schmidt was my teacher and mentor. Under her tutelage she was slowly molding my thinking to see I could harness the dualities of the entertainment business and my future legal career.
How did your time at MPA prepare you for college, your career, or other life goals?
I am a creative writer at heart. I recall days at MPA, writing spoken word or rap in my notebook. There was always a song in my head. I constantly honed my creative talents and educational goals on the campus. MPA gave me the foundation in literature and writing. This would later lead to published peer-reviewed legal articles, journals, musical copyrights and more.
I never imagined the stages I would traverse within entertainment would later lead me to a career in the legal profession. MPA helped hone my unconventional traits and enriched me with skills to utilize in a multitude of settings. MPA created a space for me to develop my voice.
Years later, the building blocks at MPA would lead to me speaking before the National Legal Aid & Defender Association, California Black Health Network, Luminate +, the White House and to students across the educational spectrum.
What values or life lessons did you take with you from MPA that still guide you today?
I would sum up my life lessons from MPA in one word: “perseverance.”
One of the most important traits a person can have is the determination to keep moving forward when all odds appear to be against you. My time at MPA was challenging, I had to really put in the work in order to stay on task.
The persistence, determination, and focus I developed at MPA transported me through advances in college, law school, and my professional career. I am forever grateful for the life lessons learned at MPA.
Looking back, what are you most grateful for about your experience at MPA?
I am grateful to MPA for fostering a space and foundation for generational change. Within the walls of MPA, the school blessed me with long-lasting friends. I am forever grateful for the camaraderie, diversity, and exposure to new opportunities. You receive a great education at MPA but leave with an extended family. I am still in touch with former classmates. We celebrate our success and are there for unexpected twist and turns in life. I am extremely grateful to the teachers and administration at MPA for a challenging experience.
If you could share one piece of advice with current students, what would it be?
The blessing of having the opportunity to study at MPA is a true milestone in your academic endeavors. Challenge yourself at every turn, set high goals and expectations.
Conversely, while it is important to set high goals, remember to take a deep breath, and appreciate the achievement of each milestone in your educational pathway. You will traverse this life with visions of your aspirations and flashbacks of lessons learned. Life is filled with peaks and valleys; but know that persistence, determination, and a positive attitude will see you through the valleys and obstacles that are sure to come your way.
It is not easy to accept yourself with all your perfect imperfections. Some days you may lack confidence and combat accepting yourself wholeheartedly, trusting yourself, or even taking care of yourself. These days you will be tested but understand we all are constantly learning. You will come to slowly understand that making mistakes is part of life and the demands of society are unending. It is most important to tend to your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health.
Study hard and surround yourself with positive friends and family. Always be grateful, inquisitive, and remember the life lessons from MPA.
Why is it important to you to stay connected to MPA through the alumni community?
Working together with like-minded individuals elevates the accomplishments of everyone and raises the entire group to a new level. It truly takes a village. I was blessed to dream big and meet some incredible people who are shaping the future of our country.
It is important that we all pay it forward. What we receive from one person, we should continuously give to another. Access to information and the building of networks is critical to moving communities forward and to prospering together. The mentors in my life were instrumental in changing my career path. By staying connected to MPA through the alumni community, I want to share all the knowledge I’ve gained to help lift up the next generation.
