A determined young man named Bengy Baptiste has achieved remarkable success after earning a Doctor of Law degree from Florida A&M University (FAMU), becoming the first lawyer in his family.
His achievement is a powerful story of persistence, academic excellence, and a lifelong dream fulfilled through years of hard work and dedication.
Bengy's Story and How He Did It
Bengy, a Haitian-American, began his higher education journey at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where he earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice in 2018.
After completing his associate degree, he advanced to Albany State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
While studying there, Bengy remained actively involved in extracurricular activities and service initiatives, balancing leadership and academics with impressive discipline.
Despite his busy schedule, he maintained excellent academic performance and graduated in 2020 with an outstanding 3.89/4.00 cumulative grade point average. His passion for justice and advocacy pushed him even further academically.
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In 2021, he enrolled for a master’s degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Public Administration, which he successfully completed with honors in 2022. By the age of 23, Bengy had already earned three academic degrees.
Yet, through every stage of his journey, one goal remained constant, to become a lawyer. He explained that his passion for law came from a desire to advocate for people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds.
“Representation matters,” Bengy shared, explaining that he wanted to become someone people could relate to and trust within the legal system.
Determined to fulfill that dream, he proceeded to Florida A&M University College of Law, where he enrolled for a Juris Doctor degree.
There, he was challenged academically and personally, but it also transformed him. After years of rigorous legal training, Bengy officially graduated with his law degree, proudly celebrating the moment as a first-generation lawyer.
During law school, Bengy also successfully passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE), an important ethics examination required for admission to the bar in nearly every U.S. jurisdiction.
Passing the MPRE marked another major step toward becoming a fully licensed attorney as he now prepares to take the Florida Bar Examination.
Reflecting on his law school journey, Bengy said he hopes to use his legal career to redefine narratives and create positive representation within the profession.
“I strive to embody the distinction of a Rattler for Justice by challenging the status quo and redefining expectations placed on Black men,” he said.
“I am committed to breaking the stigmas often associated with Black men from challenging upbringings while serving as a voice and advocate for those who share similar paths,” he added.
Bengy also revealed that when he first entered law school, he was naturally shy and lacked confidence in public speaking despite dreaming of becoming a trial attorney.
“As an aspiring trial attorney, I entered law school extremely timid, afraid of the spotlight and hesitant to speak or voice my opinions,” he explained.
He credited two of his professors who played major roles in helping him grow by constantly pushing students to speak confidently and present in class.
Those experiences gradually transformed him into someone more confident in the courtroom environment he once feared. Bengy’s law school journey was also marked by several recognitions and honors.
Among them were being named a 2025 Justice John Paul Stevens Public Interest Fellow
Receiving the 2025 Haitian Lawyers Association Scholarship. Today, Bengy’s story stands as an inspiring example of determination and purpose.
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