Kerlyne Jean-Baptiste

You might know me as…Kerlyne. I really don't do nicknames since it's a battle for Americans to pronounce my name correctly. My biggest memory of my first month at Brown was telling people my name is "Kerlyne, like a curl and a line." To this day, my friends still mock me for it.When I’m at Brown, you can find me at...In my room....Do you know how much I pay for that walk-in closet?My Brown experience in six words.Beautiful. Ugly. Transformative. Disorienting. Difficult. Powerful.Favorite class/professor at BrownProfessor Sylvain. I've had five classes with him (CROL 100-400 and Haitian Politics). I really can' t put into words how important Professor Sylvain and his classes has been to my growth and my identity as a Haitian American. Before I started taking his classes, I felt really insecure speaking my mother's native language and I knew very little context around Haitian history, politics and art. It's been incredibly affirming experience learning about Haitian history and language here at Brown. Definitely the type of experience you write about in a Brown brochure.Things I wish I knew when I came to BrownI wish I  knew that it would be painful here. I remember looking at the ADOCH packet when I was 17 and thinking nothing bad could ever happen on a campus this beautiful. Boy was I wrong!My favorite Brown memory is… Studying abroad!My most embarrassing Brown memory is… My freshman year. All of it.What I will miss most here next year is… The network of black women I've made here. It's weird to say that a quarter of a million dollars later, I still struggle to call this place home, but I've found home in a lot different friendships.My go-to order in the Blue Room is..It depends on what your definition of "ordering" is....I usually get the chicken salad on ciabatta with spinach, tomato, and balsamic vinaigrette.In my time at Brown, I am most proud of… My hair! I went natural my sophomore spring and I'm at a stage in my natural hair journey where I actually like my hair. I would definitely say it's a physical landmark of my growth here at Brown.Brown’s best kept secret? Systemic oppression. Lol.My post-graduation plans are to...Travel to 25 countries by the age of 25!Fred's question: What has been the biggest obstacle to overcome being a woman of color at Brown?Oh I'm so tired of this question! Sorry, Fred, you know I love you boo, but I spent my four years telling my story and stories of women of color. I'm "storied" out!I'll just list all the incredible black women in this community who have allowed me to overcome my obstacles, big and small. Thank you.My mother, my grandmother, my sister, Sophia Dalce, Jasmin Jones, Maya Finoh, Eve Woldemichael, Rheem Brooks, Chanelle Adams, Josie Valcin, Malikah Williams, Morgan Paige Brown, Odemi Pessu, Skenda Jean Charles, Ade Osinubi, Cherise Morris, Jummy Akinsulire, Raisa Cramer, Bedour Alagraa, Shamara Alhassan, Meghan Wilson, Professor Rose, Professor Perry, Dean Delalue, Isabelle Thenor, Bianca Audrey-Duah, Anisha Lewis, Shahena Polyneice, Skyler Gordon, Chell Burke, Afia Kwakwa, Chelsea Cross, Jamelle Watson Daniels, Leadz Dorce, Naomi Varnis, Brianna Cox, Jasmine Perez, Deranna Barnhart, Brittney Hodges, Camera Ford, Jessica Brown, Paige Morris, Kendall Cockrel, Attayah Douglas, Kristen Ramcharan, Hannah Anokye, Lorin Smith, Tiara Mack, O'sha Williams, Aasha Jackson, Raven Gomez, Haley Moss, Keyanna, Tyne, Nomvula.... really the list goes on and on but I promised myself I'd stop after five minutes.Whether we were best of friends or just acquaintances, I loved you all.Next up: Cherise Morris Kerlyne's question: If you could make a soundtrack to your time at Brown, what would it be?