October Alumni Spotlight: Jean Pierre Moundou, (Wheaton High School)

Jean Pierre moved from Cameroon to the U.S. with his family in January 2012, at age 17, landing at Dulles Airport with a mix of hope and uncertainty. He recalls the overwhelming experience: "I knew about racism from what I’d learned in school and from my father’s stories of experiencing bias while living in the U.K. But the reality of navigating a new country, a different culture, and complicated racial dynamics in the U.S. was harder than I’d imagined.”

Adapting to the U.S. wasn’t as simple as Jean Pierre expected. “I thought I’d find a sense of community with other Black people here. But I quickly saw the divide between African immigrants and descendants of enslaved Africans made things complicated. I found myself on the outside, especially among my Black peers.” That feeling left him struggling to find his identity.

Jean Pierre also encountered challenges as a French-speaking immigrant. “So many services for immigrants in the U.S. are designed around Spanish or Mandarin, but those of us who speak French or African dialects are often overlooked,” he explains. In ESL classes, he found himself in an environment where Spanish and English dominated, making his language journey isolating. “When people talk about immigrants, the focus is usually on Asians or Latinos. It wasn’t until the Black Lives Matter protests that Black immigrants began to be recognized, despite how many of us there are,” he adds. “We’re dealing with both anti-Black bias and xenophobia at the same time.”

His first real connection came when he moved to Montgomery County and joined Liberty’s Promise. At first, Jean Pierre was hesitant about attending Liberty’s Promise sessions, thinking it would be “just another class.” But he soon realized it was more than that: “They took us on trips around D.C., and I began to see it was about connecting with people, hearing their stories, and sharing mine. I made one friend in particular who made those times special. We’d go to museums and talk about our experiences.”

Liberty’s Promise also gave Jean Pierre the chance to explore his interests through a stipend-supported internship with CASA Maryland, where he supported outreach for immigration reform. “That experience changed things for me. I was calling clients, helping with updates on DACA, and getting involved in issues that affected our community. I bought my first phone with that stipend—something I had to keep hidden from my parents because we didn’t have much money. But that phone was my connection to people, and I needed it.”

Even with this progress, Jean Pierre sometimes felt conflicted about his identity. “People here often assumed I was from France, and there’s this romanticization of French culture. But they never wanted to talk about the painful history of French colonization, which is why I speak French in the first place.” His struggles with feeling truly seen extended to his interactions with white peers: “They’d act overly friendly at first, then pull away when I started sharing my background. I could tell that many didn’t really want to connect, and that left me confused.”

After high school, Jean Pierre attended Montgomery College before transferring to the University of Maryland, where he majored in Spanish and French. He initially wanted to pursue animation, but his family encouraged him to choose a more practical path. Now, Jean Pierre works as a substitute teacher and is applying for a master's degree in education. “I want to make a difference for students who might feel as lost as I did. Teaching could be a way to offer them the understanding and guidance I wish I’d had.”

Reflecting on his journey, Jean Pierre says, “Liberty’s Promise didn’t solve everything, but it helped me see I’m not alone. I found friends, mentors, and ways to make a difference. I still feel like I’m navigating my place here, but I’m thankful for the support that’s helped me get this far.”

Thank you, Jean Pierre, for trusting us with your story and for showing us the complex reality many African immigrants face. To our supporters, your contributions allow us to continue offering youth like Jean Pierre a chance to connect, grow, and build a future in their new home. 

Thank you to our community for your ongoing support. 

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