Toussaint (TC) Romain ’96 is one of those guys who watch movie credits straight to the end. “Seeing 200-plus names responsible for producing a two hour movie over a five year period just blows my mind. From the executive director to the key grip, each person has a role in shaping the success of the final product. It always makes me think, Who’s in the credits responsible for the Toussaint movie? But even more importantly, where will my own name appear on the credits of someone else’s movie?”
Romain understands the role of mentors and other impactful people who shape lives. “At T-P, I had teachers and coaches who stayed on me and pushed me not to be complacent. Everyone on the campus played a role in helping me become the man I am today, from the administration to the dining hall staff and the nurses. T-P’s whole package shapes young men, period.”
After graduating from University of North Carolina-Charlotte where he ran Division I track, Romain earned his law degree and now serves as an assistant public defender for Mecklenburg County. He is also an adjunct professor of criminal justice at UNC-Charlotte. “As a public defender, I don’t choose my clients or the facts. Knowing what my clients face makes me dig in even harder to defend them, and understanding that my students need some direction just inspires me to be there for them.” Romain has won 75% of his jury trials, a stunning record for a public defender.
That success is drawing notice around the country, and Romain is frequently invited to speak to federal and state attorneys and share his own insight on how to challenge structural racism and implicit bias. “I try to show how they can use their privilege as attorneys to correct these wrongs. We all know something is wrong with our system yet no one knows how to rectify the problem.” Romain has traveled to 16 states in the last five months to address these issues.
What drives Romain? “Knowing that I’m impacting people. I encourage my students to be civic-minded, to begin to think of others and take steps to improve their community. My clients—I give them a shot, believe in them, fight for them, take care of them. That helps them recognize their own worth and value and sends the message that they do matter.”
Romain’s thesis in life? “All that evil needs to succeed is for good people to do nothing. So when an opportunity arises to do good, I’m all over it.”