*Former trash collector Rehan Staton will graduate from Harvard Law School next month but in the meantime, he’s paying it forward to help other sanitation workers.
Staton previously made headlines when he learned he was accepted into the prestigious law school. Staton’s Harvard journey began in 2020 and worked as a sanitation worker at the time to help cover college costs. He has since co-founded the non-profit The Reciprocity Effect to support service workers. According to Black Enterprise, Staton has fundraised more than $70,000 so far.
As The Washington Post reports, the Maryland native comes from a family of sanitation workers.
“I remember what it’s like working that type of job,” said Staton, who reportedly formed a bond with the university’s custodians, cafeteria employees, and security workers. “When I see them, I see me,” he added. “I view them as my equal. They are just my peers.”
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Former trash collector Rehan Staton is preparing to graduate Harvard Law School next month, and now he’s helping workers in the same position he used to be in. He’s raised more than $70,000 for service employees ???????? pic.twitter.com/K9ZHphDhtJ
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) April 16, 2023
As The Washinton Post reports, Staton co-founded the Reciprocity Effect to honor “unsung heroes.” He enlisted the help of his former employer, Bates Trucking & Trash Removal of Bladensburg, Maryland.
“I know what it feels like to be in a position where people would rather act like you don’t exist,” Bates, 31, told the Washington Post. He became a co-founder of Reciprocity Effect after donating $50,000 to the non-profit organization.
“I’ve never seen something come full circle like this,” Staton told The Washington Post. “The same sanitation company that changed my life, I came back to them, and they said, ‘We’ll be right there with you.’”
Staton and Bates officially launched the non-profit on Monday. They hosted a banquet at the university where 30 support staffers were honored and gifted with special trophies.
“I loved hearing about his project, because it’s often why I do what I do: give back to those that are overlooked,” Tyler Perry told the Washington Post. “I hope he carries that kindness with him through his life.”
The filmmaker reportedly paid Staton’s Harvard Law tuition.
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