Man Who Went From Trash Collector to Harvard Law Graduate, Help Others Do The Same

Cursory: Staton, a former sanitation worker from Bowie, Maryland, has shown that one’s situation or difficulties in life cannot change them unless one allows it to.

A former sanitation worker from Bowie, Maryland is set to graduate from Harvard Law School in May, and he credits his time as a trash collector with uplifting him and setting him towards his goal of becoming a lawyer.

Sharing his story with CNN, the 31-year-old man said, “life was pretty normal until I was eight years old.” His mother left the country that year, leaving his father to raise him and his brother, Reggie, alone.

The “solidly middle-class upbringing” they had previously experienced was marred by turmoil and financial difficulties. Staton’s father worked many jobs to support his family as they experienced food insecurity.

Staton’s academic performance started to decline by the time he started seventh grade. “My dad worked nonstop, and I didn’t eat meals every single day. At times, there would be no electricity at home, he recalled.With the aid of an academic tutor and a renewed commitment to sports in high school, Staton’s academic performance improved. After graduating, he had aspirations of becoming a professional boxer, but a terrible shoulder injury put an end to those aspirations.

His coworkers at Bates Trucking & Trash Removal pushed Staton to apply to college, which helped him get into Harvard Law School. Staton started working there. After two years at Bowie State University, Staton went to the University of Maryland, where he eventually earned his degree in 2018.

Five years later, Staton is ready to receive his law degree from Harvard, and he is committed to help other service professionals like himself.Staton claims that his experience working as a trash collector made it possible for him to enroll in Harvard Law School.

“I had to go to the ‘bottom’ of the social hierarchy— that’s to say formerly incarcerated sanitation workers— in order to be uplifted,” he stated.

According to a profile published in April by The Washington Post, Staton has accomplished more than just attending college in the years since his story originally gained notoriety. It has been Staton’s mission to recognize those who support the seamless operation of the Harvard campus by working in the background.Staton has raised money and awareness for service workers through his charity, the Reciprocity Effect, with support from his old company, Bates Trucking & Trash Removal.

In Staton’s own words, the Reciprocity Effect was designed “to combat the disconnect between staff and students” at Harvard Law School. Its purpose is “to create a more holistic Harvard Law School community whose members reciprocally support one another.”

Speaking about service work, Staton said, “I remember what it’s like working that type of job.”“When I see them, I see me,” he stated of campus workers.

“I have felt very safe, taken care of, and loved, specifically because of the bonds that I have with my support staff. I view them as my equals. They are just my peers.”

As he prepares to graduate from Harvard Law School in just one month, Staton recounts the challenges that led him toward success.

“When I look back at my experiences, I like to think that I made the best of the worst situation. Each tragedy I faced forced me out of my comfort zone, but I was fortunate enough to have a support system to help me thrive in those predicaments,” Staton explained.

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