Rehan Staton: From Trash Collector to Harvard Law Student
Bladensburg, Maryland – Rehan Staton’s journey to Harvard Law School is nothing short of extraordinary. On Thursday, he was one of over 700 graduates who walked the stage at the 2023 Harvard Law School commencement ceremony.
But while that moment was a crowning achievement, Staton’s path to the Ivy League institution is a tale of resilience, determination, and overcoming some of life’s toughest challenges.
Tens of thousands of law students graduate each year with unique stories, but Staton’s stands out.
From a troubled childhood marked by financial instability to a career as a trash collector, Staton’s story is an inspiring reminder that perseverance can take you further than you think.
A Childhood Shaped by Struggles
Rehan Staton’s journey didn’t start in the hallowed halls of Harvard; it began in a run-down house in Bladensburg, Maryland.
From a young age, life was a constant battle for Staton and his family. When Staton was just in second grade, his mother left, and his family began facing mounting financial hardships.
“Ever since second grade when my mom ended up leaving, [my family] started to run into a lot of financial insecurities,” Staton told ABC News.
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He recalls living in a home that was barely livable. Staton’s father, who worked tirelessly to raise him and his brother, did what he could, but the family was often one step away from crisis.
“There were holes in the ceilings. There was black mold festering in the basement.”
“There were a lot of areas in the house that didn’t have floors, it was literally below code, honestly. And the house didn’t have heat for almost a decade. It was a really bad situation,” Staton explained.
Despite these challenges, Staton continued to push forward in his education. But his academic journey wasn’t without its setbacks.
Staton recalls how some of his teachers labeled him in a way that would scar him for years.
He was even placed in special education classes, and one teacher infamously compared his brain to a gym cabinet, an insult that left him discouraged.
By high school, his grades had slipped, and he graduated with a barely passing GPA and a low SAT score.
From Trash Collector to College
With limited options, Staton turned to Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, the company where many of the men in his family had worked.
It was there that Staton began to take control of his future. “I saw what I needed to do. I needed to start working, to help my family out financially,” Staton said.
His job at Bates gave him the stability he needed and, more importantly, the push to reapply to college.
Staton’s colleagues at Bates were instrumental in helping him find the courage to pursue higher education again.
With their encouragement, Staton was accepted into Bowie State University, a pivotal moment that set the course for his future.
But his journey wasn’t smooth sailing by any means. Staton faced yet another wave of adversity in 2019 when he fell seriously ill, dropping from 150 pounds to a mere 117 pounds.
His sickness left him bedridden, and his family’s financial troubles resurfaced, leading to a near foreclosure on their home.
To make matters worse, his father, who had suffered a stroke, was forced to return to work.
Despite these challenges, Staton refused to back down. In a defining moment, he decided that his best chance at changing his life was to pursue law school.
“If I can get to a place that has the resources, it takes out the middleman,” Staton recalled thinking.
He saw an opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty and health problems, and he set his sights on Harvard Law School.
The Road to Harvard Law
While battling illness, Staton started preparing for the LSAT. His situation was far from ideal—he couldn’t afford professional tutoring—but he was determined.
“My cousin would come over every single day, and he would hold, like, a cold rag over the back of my neck while I studied so I could distract myself from nausea,” Staton recalled.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it was his reality.
In March 2020, after months of grueling study, Staton received the news he had been dreaming of: he was accepted to Harvard Law School.
His viral reaction to the acceptance, captured in a heartwarming video, caught the attention of the media—and of Tyler Perry. The famed actor and filmmaker was so moved by Staton’s story that he offered to cover the full cost of Staton’s law school tuition.
At that moment, Staton’s life changed forever.
Making an Impact at Harvard
Despite the hardships that defined much of his journey, Staton thrived at Harvard.
His professors, like Diane Rosenfeld, lecturer and founding director of the Gender Violence Program, emphasized that Staton was more than just his struggles.
“He definitely overcame a lot of obstacles, and it’s part of who he is, but it also doesn’t define who he is,” Rosenfeld said.
Staton took part in courses like “Gender Violence, Law and Social Justice,” and “Leading from the Middle,” the latter being taught by Mandy DeFilippo, managing director at Citadel Securities.
DeFilippo praised Staton’s humility and perspective. “What’s unique, I think, about him is his humility and perspective. He remains humble and grounded, notwithstanding all of the achievements and attention that he so richly deserves.”
But Staton’s story is not just about personal success. He has always remembered where he came from, and that memory has shaped his approach to giving back.
Staton regularly supported his community and the staff at Harvard, even helping to raise $70,000 for the university’s janitors and support staff.
He also co-founded The Reciprocity Effect, an organization aimed at improving the quality of life for support staff workers while fostering stronger connections between students and staff.
Bates Trucking and Trash Removal, where Staton once worked, played a key role in the organization’s founding, donating $50,000 to get it off the ground. Staton’s commitment to giving back is evident in everything he does.
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Looking Ahead
Now, with his degree in hand, Staton is preparing for the next phase of his life.
He will soon be moving to New York City to work at the prestigious Paul Weiss law firm.
While he has conquered one mountain, Staton’s ambitions are far from over. He dreams of one day working in sports business and even owning a sports team.
For Staton, his past will always be a part of his story, but it’s not what defines him.
“He does not forget where he comes from, and I really believe that’s going to be a part of his story forever,” said DeFilippo.
“Going forward, that’s going to be a part of what he’s able to bring to the table and what will keep him grounded in his perspective as he moves through the world.”
Rehan Staton’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, with hard work, perseverance, and a little help along the way, anything is possible.
