by: Lindsay Cox
Stivenson Jean-Baptiste, a Haitian student selected for being an outstanding member of our community in and outside Parkland, is a recipient of the Outstanding Black Student Award.
Jean-Baptiste assists students of Parkland in different ways; he helps them find their way around campus, helps them with homework in any way that he can, and he makes students feel comfortable and welcome on campus.
According to Jean-Baptiste, this award and the celebration of Black History Month are incredibly important. “I wasn’t expecting this award. I don’t do the things that I do for recognition; I do it because it is innately in me to do it. We don’t have anything like Black History Month in Haiti. To me, this month makes me believe that I am valued by the community. Based on history and the things that happen, we can feel ignored or unheard, but this month is a way to celebrate us and how we can come together. There are black people doing good things and we should recognize and value it,” he told the Prospectus.
Jean-Baptiste is the founder and president of the Business Club. He took it upon himself to establish a club where people could come to talk about business and to learn about management and customer service.
The business major is also president of the International Students Association (ISA). He’s a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a member of the Math Club, and he’s an iConnect Mentor.
Jean-Baptiste also joined the Student Government Association because he felt like there were people at Parkland who wanted to be listened to, and he wanted to find a way to make sure that their voices were heard. “I wanted to represent the students who cannot speak for themselves,” he said.
Jean-Baptiste also made the Dean’s list last semester and is about to graduate. He is even the first person in his family to graduate from high school. “This is the biggest accomplishment in my life right now. I wish that my mom could be here to see me graduate. Coming to Parkland, I am more mature than I was. I can do more, because I know more; I am much more educated. I’m getting good grades and English isn’t even my first language. I feel like good things are coming my way,” he said.
Outside Parkland, Jean-Baptiste is very active in the community. He volunteers at the Weseley Food Pantry, Salt and Light, and at local middle schools where he helps kids with French and math.
“My biggest role model is my dad in America. I look up to him a lot. He could buy a new house or use his retirement to travel the world, but he chooses to help me instead”
He wants to be able to take everything he has learned in the U.S. back to Haiti. Jean-Baptiste’s goal is to create job opportunities for people in his community and provide better working conditions.
While there are many people on campus and off campus who inspire Jean-Baptiste, he said that his father is the person who inspires him the most. “My biggest role model is my dad in America. I look up to him a lot. He’s not rich, but he brought me here and he supports me while I go to school. He could buy a new house or use his retirement to travel the world, but he chooses to help me instead,” he said.
The student wanted to leave a piece of advice for incoming and current students about getting involved and becoming successful. “Don’t be afraid. If you want something, go for it. When I first came here, I didn’t know anyone. I slowly began making friends and then I joined ISA. I finally started to realize that I could be open and didn’t have to be shy. I thought people would judge me since I’m not from here or because I’m black. There will be challenges but pursue your passions,” he said.
