Jesula Jeannot was born and raised in Haiti, where the vibrant culture and resilient spirit of community couldn’t mask the struggles of everyday life. She was raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her family – as mothers do – the odds were stacked up against them.
In 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, which claimed the lives of 222,570 people, injured more than 300,000 and left over 1.3 million people displaced. The trauma and loss Jesula and others experienced in that moment would forever alter their paths.
At only 11 years old, Jesula arrived in the United States. “The American dream seemed far from reach,” she recalled. “Not able to speak English, I struggled to adapt to the new culture. Classmates teased me mercilessly for my accent and clothes, which destroyed my self-esteem. I felt like an outsider, lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces.”
Navigating a new community, culture, and country, Jesula watched family members sacrifice their own education for the sake of supporting loved ones back in Haiti. While Jesula assumed that higher education was not for her, a dedicated teacher saw something in her that she hadn’t yet identified – brilliant potential. This teacher encouraged Jesula to aim high, providing resources to apply to top universities. Jesula maintained a 3.8 GPA and stayed committed to her community and enriching her school. She served as her high school class’ president both her junior and senior year and excelled in honors and AP classes. Determined to prove herself, Jesula worked tirelessly, ultimately earning prestigious scholarships like Dell Scholars and FSU CARE to support her undergraduate journey at Florida State University. Despite these accomplishments and achievements, people still doubted her intellect, simply because of her background. It was as if her hard work and resilience were expected, not valued. Jesula – as many of us do – began to question her worth, feeling as though she had to constantly prove herself.
She felt lost and alone, suffocating under the weight of struggle. Bullying, poverty, and hopelessness became unwelcome companions, testing and pushing her to the edge. “There were times when I wondered if I’d ever find my place in this world, if I’d ever escape the shadows that haunted me. But something within me refused to surrender,” Jesula explained. “I clung to education, pouring my heart into my studies, determined to create a better future.”
Jesula was nominated to become a Be Strong Student Representative in high school. “The program became my sanctuary, providing a supportive community where I could express myself without judgment,” Jesula shared. “When I first got accepted to the program – let me set the stage – I get called by the main office and told to report to a classroom, as most students would have thought I had done something wrong. As I walked into the classroom it was actually an award celebration. Be Strong founder, Roy Moore and now CEO Ashleigh Cromer, a TV crew, alongside my peers, yelled out ‘congratulations.’ It was the first time ever someone showed up for me and noticed me for the positive work I was doing.”
A few days prior to the acknowledgement, a young student died by suicide on Facebook live and the community was looking for help. This began Jesula’s journey of bringing lifesaving and improving resources to a larger community.
“I had a sense of urgency as one of the first Florida Student State Representatives for Be Strong, because I knew the work was now needed more than ever.” Jesula continued, “Through Be Strong, I found my voice, and with each word, I reclaimed a piece of myself. I realized that my pain could be a catalyst for change. I began to share my story, empowering my peers to find their own voices and get the help they needed.”
After high school, Jesula became a volunteer and intern at Be Strong. Understanding the magnitude of the charity‘s impact in her life, she desired to help young people across the US.
“My journey has taught me valuable lessons. I’ve learned that vulnerability is strength, not weakness, that every voice matters, and that each and every one of us has experienced devastation. Leadership is not about titles, but about inspiring others. And that hope can be found in the darkest places.” Jesula continued, “Don’t wait until you reach rock bottom; seek help, keep going, and know that a supportive community is here to uplift you.”
Today, at just 25 years old, Jesula has accomplished much and is only just getting started. She is the author of The Other Side of Pain, a professional speaker, proud graduate from Florida State University, and is the Program & Growth Manager at Be Strong, where she experiences the joy of inspiring and celebrating young leaders from small towns and big cities across the US with the organization that she says, “once saved me.”
Jesula’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for resilience, a beacon of hope for those navigating their own darkness. She is living proof that no matter what life throws your way, you too can rise above, finding strength in the broken places.
She has come full circle from a struggling high school student to a supporter helping others find the help they need, seeing firsthand the transformative power of supportive communities and accessible resources.
“The partnership between Be Strong and BetterHelp has been instrumental in my own healing journey,” Jesula said. “This collaboration has provided me with the professional help I needed to process my emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and rise above my struggles.”
By bridging the gap between mental health resources and accessibility, Be Strong’s new partnership with BetterHelp is empowering students and community members to take control of their well-being. No longer must they face their struggles alone, uncertain of where to turn. “Now, every day,” shared Jesula, “I witness students finding their voice, reclaiming their confidence, finding hope in the darkest of moments and rising above their struggles and that brings me so much joy and motivation.”
As we look to the future, with young leaders working to help others across the US, we are filled with hope, optimism and motivation. We envision a world where mental health is prioritized, where resources are abundant, and where every individual has access to the support they deserve. Our friends at BetterHelp have made free therapy available for community members in need and deeply believe in each person finding hope, help and healing. As a testament to their commitment, get started with 50% off your first month of therapy from our sponsor by clicking here.
