The people you surround yourself with are a projection of who you are as an individual. Personally, I find that it is important in life to know driven and diverse individuals. But even more important than that, these individuals have to play an integral role in defining the lives of his/her fellow human beings. Florantine Monica Joseph, known to most as just Monica, is a 20 years old Haitian-American studying Civil Engineering at Howard University. In high school, she had the privilege of representing her class' student body by being President. Now in college, she aspires to embody what it means to be black excellence, and the very core of who a true millennial is: driven, passionate, accomplished, hard-working, aware, and culturally enriched.
Tell me about yourself, where you grew up, how you grew up, who gave you the opportunity to grow as an individual? Are you still that person? Do you miss that person?
I hate questions like this...I'm just a 20 year old Haitian-American girl trynna make it. I grew up in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti for the first 8 years of my life, and then Malden, Massachusetts since then. I go to school at Howard University in DC, and I major in Civil Engineering.
The time I spent in Haiti shaped me more than I realized at first. Haiti is where I saw the bad and the great, it is what inspired me to be a civil engineer.Seeing the disparity between economic classes at an early age helped me to see how the world works.
Coming to America inspired me even more, I saw how different races were able to get along in one place. I knew from the get-go that this was my opportunity to make something of myself. Everyone who I encountered in those two places have helped my growth. My overall perception about the world and my role/relationship to it has been shaped by everyone in my life.
From my mom telling me that "education is [my] best friend", to my aunt telling me "God is always above everything", to my sister telling me "always remember to have fun", and to my brother telling me "sometimes you gotta be about your own sh*t." Friends, family, teachers, acquaintances I'm thankful to God for all of it.
What does it mean to be black?
I'm honestly still learning what it means to me. I think it's a perspective to us who belong in that community. There's no one way to define what is black and what it isn't. Our background and our ancestry is what connects us, it's important that we cherish and preserve that history. However, the way we interpret it are different.
When I was in high school, I didn't really think about this question. But going to an HBCU, I was forced to really think about this. I guess black is really being what you are for who you are at all times. And it makes sense because we've inherit genes and traits of our ancestors, so being black is about continuing an amazing legacy of excellence, empowerment, love, etc.
What's the difference between being black and being Haitian-American? Do you feel those two share similar traits? Do you think it makes any difference in America?
Although both experienced a semi-different struggle, at the end of the day we still have to overcome the same things. To the non-blacks we look the same, so it doesn't really make a difference in America. America is comprised of so many cultures and we're all here for the same reason; white or black. So I personally don't see why we should treat each other different.
What's it like to juggle the Haitian culture, and black culture? Is it hard?
It's not hard at all. It's lit. "Foreign" is the new black. I love being Haitian-American. It comes with its troubles, like the communication being the two cultures, especially with older generations. But at the end of the day, I feel like I have great insight on both and it makes me more well-rounded. There's never been a time where I felt like I had to chose sides, we're all aspiring for the same things.
How has Howard changed your perspective on the black community? How has it broaden your perspective on the black community?
Coming from a very diverse place like Malden, I was used to different cultures. So it was easy for me to adjust to being around all different types of black people. I didn't even consider applying to Howard until the day I was submitting applications and my adviser told me to add it on there just in case. That was one of the best choices I've ever made.
Just being on a campus with people you can connect to, not just with school work and other physical things but emotionally. People who have gone through the same things as you and look like you. I was happy to be at a place where I was surrounded by so many multifaceted creative and intelligent individuals. It's like we're all different, but all the same simultaneously. I know it doesn't make sense, but that's what makes us great as a black community.
What does being a Bison mean? Is that an identity you will carry on with you for the rest of your life?
Being a Bison means a lot of things. It doesn't just mean you go to Howard University. It means you bleed blue, always. It means you have pride in all the things you do. It means that you carry on a legacy of excellence at all times. At times you don't even have to say it, people will know it and they will admire you for it. I will always carry it for the rest of my life. It's a unique experience that a very small portion of the world has. It means that your possibilities in this world are limitless, as long as you put your mind to it. Like one of my favorite rappers, Bishop Nehru said, "your mind is your strongest dagger."
Do you feel in any way constricted as a black person, in terms of opportunity, paths? Do you feel it will have a huge impact on your career?
I honestly used worry a lot about this before deciding to major in Civil Engineering. Seeing that not only blacks but also women are very underrepresented in the field, it's very discouraging. But reminding myself of the goals and passions I aspire to achieve, it keeps me going everyday. I try my best to not think about the "lack of opportunity". Even though there aren't many who have done it before me, there are still some. If they could do it I can do it too. If there's a closed door, my job is to open it for others behind me. The Howard unofficial motto is "finesse". Statistics shouldn't stop you from pursuing any dream, because that's how you change the statistic itself.
Do you know on the top of your head, the range of women that are minorities in your future profession? Of minority women that have made it in terms of recognition, whose story do you relate to with the most?
As far as Haitian/ Haitian-American no. But I'm sure there are many on their paths this very moment. In terms of black there are many Howard alumni who I can relate to. For example, Deryl McKissack, she went to Howard, and now owns a very successful firm. I look to my older sister also, she's an Architect. Civils and Architects are sisters in the STEM world, so I learn a lot from her. She works at the Boston Children Hospital now, and that's the one she got right out of college. It's very hard to get a job like hers, but she did it almost effortlessly. She just prayed and it happened, that's real inspiration.
Name 3 black artists that you really like right now. What is it about them that you like? What aspects of their artistry that you like?
Wow artists is such a vast term, and there's so many. Everyone is an artist (wow that sounded very Kanye of me). I'll try to pick one from the top facets. In term of literary artists, right now I like Chimamanda Adichie (Nigerian), Toni Morrison (African American), and Edwidge Danticat (Haitian); each of them capture different aspects of the black community.
In terms of actual art, I like Kehinde Wiley (painter). I like that his artwork focuses on enlightening the beauty of black people and with that, he's changing the standards for classic art itself. For photography I like Yagazie Emezi (photographer). She's very bold and she captures Nigeria in a different way than we are used to seeing it. Her personality is very quirky and it reminds me a lot of myself. I highly recommend following her on Instagram or any other social media.
For fashion, I like Maki Oh and Stella Jean. Both are making great strives for the black community in the fashion world, more specifically for Nigerians and Haitians. Stella Jean clothes have been worn by Beyoncé, Rihanna, Karen Civil etc. For Maki Oh, Solange Knowles, as well as the one and only FLOTUS!
In terms of music I like Earl Sweatshirt, he's a lyric genius. He is a poet before he is a rapper. His words are very deep. He's one of those people that I have to have Genius and Google opened when listening to him. I hang on to every word until I understand it. Out of all the rappers, I relate to him a lot because he articulates the struggle/pressure to be great, and maintaining healthy relationships with others and the world very well with a sorta dark juvenescent accent.
Chance The Rapper is also someone I really admire. Besides being lyrically ingenious and simplistic simultaneously, he is very humble. He is not just a rapper but an activist, he uses his platform very well. You can that his vision is way beyond his music. As an artist I feel like he matures and grows each time he releases something. That is something I can relate to as a college student.
Lastly, Masego; I could listen to him all day. I cant even categorize him; he sings, produces, raps, and he plays just about every instrument. His music is soulful, uplifting, amazingly melodic, just pure greatness. I found Masego on Soundcloud two summers ago when a friend from my church had died. His music really uplifted me. I remember messaging about it and he was so humble about it all. I met him last summer and it was the same thing. He was very happy to see me, he didn't even know who was. I really like artists that are humble, un-materialistic, and are just cool people all around.
What's one of the tools that you've used to help you grow as an individual?
Definitely creativity, you gotta do things in a creative way so that you are catering to yourself. From music, to painting, to poetry; they all help me grow in some way.
Even in my school work I make sure that I'm thinking outside of the box for even the little things. To keep organized during school, I use google calendar. It's a very underrated tool. I color code everything by the hour; class, meetings, naps, study time, parties, etc. It's really good for deadlines. So when I find myself chilling in the valley, the notification comes up on my phone and reminds what I'm supposed to be doing. It's the little things that you need to add your twist on to, to help you get through each day, that's what creativity is all about.
Do you believe in having a projection of yourself in years from now? If so, who is Monica in 5 years?
Absolutely, If you don't have vision for yourself what are you living for? I have projections for every day, month, season, year, etc. and I just recently realized how equally important it is to write them down. In 5 years I hope to be well on my way to earning my second/third million. I want to establish a youth center in either Desdune or Gonaïve in Haiti. I want to be well on my way to starting my own firm.
Monica doesn't take her education, opportunities, culture, and black/Haitian-American identity for granted. She strives to become a better version of herself every chance she gets, but remains humble and true to her roots all the while. As the promising Civil Engineer awaits her third year at Howard, she is spending the month of June expanding her knowledge on Civil Engineering through a Scholarship in Puebla, México. As for the rest of her summer, she will be spending it exploring the outdoors with close friends, and finding ways to give back to her hometown in Haiti as co-founder of her family's non-profit organization "Hope for the Future".
True to her twitter handle, she is indeed @ano_malous.
