Support Sam's Journey to Berkeley

Hi everyone! My name is Sam Jean-Francois and I am a queer, low-income, first-generation Haitian American youth worker in the Greater Boston area! I work with historically marginalized 7-8th grade students of color as part of Boston Public Schools as a success advisor, providing holistic academic and social-emotional support.

I'm reaching out to my community for assistance with funding my relocation for grad school. Recently, I was admitted to UC Berkeley for their African American and African Diaspora Studies Department's Ph.D. program, where I hope to continue researching the long-lasting impacts of colonialism across Haiti as well as Black feminist resistance movements created with the intention of overcoming social death: the treatment of subaltern classes as invisible, if not voiceless, means of labor. In a time where efforts to erase anti-racist practices, as well as Black queer voices, are growing in violence each day, I believe that my work is an essential part of upkeeping Black feminist radical traditions.

As a child of a hardworking, low-income, single immigrant mother, I never imagined going to college, let alone becoming the first in my family to enter a doctorate program! That said, I'm seeking assistance to help make my dream happen. Donations made will go to the cost of transporting the library I inherited from my late friend and mentor, Sue Houchins, who passed from pancreatic cancer earlier this fall, as well as assisting me with the cost of my travel to Berkeley, securing housing, along with any additional costs associated with my transition to Berkeley.

Any donations will make a huge difference! If I am someone who has ever brightened your day, brought a smile to your face, or brought you joy in any way, I ask that you please donate or share this with members of your community.