Celebrating Black History Month offers us an important opportunity to recognize the many achievements and contributions that African Americans have made. It’s a time to honor African American leaders who had the courage to challenge inequities, strive for excellence under any circumstance, and blaze a trail for generations to come. In this article series, throughout February, we hope to educate, engage, and empower our community by learning more about the Black experience in America.

At 61 years old Jamaica-native Denise Sparkes ’21 made her lifelong dream of earning a college degree come true when she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in International Criminal Justice from John Jay College. While the road to this moment wasn’t without its challenges, Sparkes had an unshakable determination to see her goal come to pass. “It took me a while to get here, but I finally arrived,” says Sparkes with a laugh. “I am proof that it’s never too late to start your journey. Earning your degree is a great accomplishment at any age, but it’s such an amazing feeling to have achieved this goal at my age. Being at John Jay was a dream come true and it gave me the fire I needed to pursue my next goal, a master’s degree in International Affairs and Global Justice. After that, I plan to go out and help people who are struggling all over the world.”  

Looking ahead to her future and inspired by the generations that came before, Sparkes strives to uplift underserved communities, especially Black women and children facing adversity. That deep love for the Black community stems from Sparkes’s own upbringing. “My father was a man who was very proud of his blackness, and he wanted me to feel the same way,” recalls Sparkes. “When I was 10 years old, he took me to a barbershop and had them cut my hair into an afro because that was how Civil Rights activist Angela Davis had her hair at the time. The next day, my teacher sent me back home because I didn’t have ‘proper’ braids. When my father saw me at home and I told him what happened, he took me right back to the school and told that teacher off. He was so proud of me and my hair, and he demanded respect for our Blackness wherever we went.” That moment solidified Sparkes’ love for her Black identity and had a profound impact on her self-confidence. “I knew I had value. My father reminded me that Black skin and hair is beautiful, and that our people are filled with great potential. He gave me the fuel I needed to never back down from a challenge. That’s why I wanted to come to John Jay and become a fierce advocate for justice. I want to stand up for others.” We sat down with Sparkes to learn more about her journey and her drive to uplift the Black community.

What was it about John Jay that drew you to the College?
I left high school because I wanted to get a job and make my own money. But in the back of my mind there was always something gnawing at me. A desire to reach for more, to earn my degree, and to carve a unique and meaningful path for myself. After years of saying this to my son and my friends, they told me, “Go back to school. It’s never too late to start your journey.” So, I migrated to Canada and then the U.S. where I took the necessary steps to reach John Jay. I first started at a bridge program at LaGuardia Community College where I was able to earn a high school equivalency diploma and then enrolled as a Criminal Justice major at LaGuardia before I transferred to John Jay through the CUNY Justice Academy pipeline program. It was always the goal for me to be a John Jay student. I have a deep passion for justice and knew this was the institution where I could gain advocacy experience.

What does celebrating Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month is a moment for us to really showcase our incredible contributions to the world. For centuries Black people have been cast aside and made to feel less than, when the truth is we are more than. If you think about it, our contributions have truly changed the world, from the justice system to education to culture.

You’re incredibly proud of your Black identity and hope to uplift the Black community. What African Americans do you admire and what has been their impact on you?
I’ve always been inspired by Thurgood Marshall’s incredible journey. Here was this man, a descendant of enslaved people, who stood up and fearlessly fought for civil rights, took down Jim Crow laws, and went on to become the first Black justice of the United States Supreme Court. He didn’t let the naysayers, bigots, and racists deter him from his path to greatness. He knew that with hard work, determination, and that by putting one foot in front of the other, he could accomplish great things. His journey shows me that anything I set my mind to is possible, so long as I truly believe in it, put in the work, and stay true to myself.

If you could sit down with any leader from the Civil Rights movement, who would it be and what would you want to ask them?
I would want to sit down with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, two giants of the Civil Rights Movement. There are so many things I would want to ask them like, how did they find the tenacity, the strength, and the courage to go on during such a scary time? After each challenge, how did they bolster themselves up to continue the fight?  In their quiet moments, when they were alone and away from the crowds and supporters, were they scared? Did they ever feel like giving up? For me, knowing what they were feeling and thinking would be so profound because it would show me that these two giants also faced moments of struggle and doubt but that they got up each day and made the choice to keep up the good fight.

What is your hope for the future of the Black community?
I want the Black community to have hope and to be optimistic about the possibilities in their future. You know, I look at the leaders in the Black community, from Angela Davis to Martin Luther King Jr., from Thurgood Marshall to Barack Obama, and I know we can achieve greatness. So today, I want every person in the Black community to stand up and face the world with their head held high. Uplift those that need help. And understand, deep in your heart, that as a Black person, you are a force to be reckoned with.