Unspoken Smiles Foundation's CEO Jean Paul Laurent named in MIPAD top 100

“For so long, oral health has been ignored or forgotten in favor of flashier issues.” said Jean Paul Laurent, a native of Haiti turned Columbia SIPA graduate.

Jean Paul Laurent, the founder of Unspoken Smiles Foundation has been named in the list of top 100 under 40 most influential people of African descent in 2019 by MIPAD, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO). The MIPAD works to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals for Africa, which include the elimination of poverty, zero food waste, and good health. Each year, MIPAD publishes a list of 100 outstanding individuals under 40 of African descents who excel in their respective fields around the world, and who work to promote, aid, and celebrate Africa and its diaspora.

MIPAD released its annual feature on July 18, 2019, highlighting the 4th and final category, of the Most Influential Global 100 class of 2019 featuring honorees who have made great strides in humanitarian endeavours, as part of the birthday celebration of the great leader and visionary Nelson Mandela. MIPAD is a unique global list created in tangent with the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, which has as its aim the recognition, justice, and development of Africa. Jean Paul became the very first Haiti native awarded by MIPAD in the humanitarian category’s history and will be joining other winners for a week-long series of events from September 27 to October 2, 2019, in collaboration with the 74th United Nations General Assembly. He also joins an impressive list of winners that include African Union Youth Envoy Aya Chebbi, Professional Tennis Player Naomi Osaka, former NFL star and activist Colin Kaepernick, and musician Abel “The Weekend” Tesfaye.

Trained in dental health and health services administration, Jean Paul Laurent is also known as ‘Mayor of Smile’ believes the impact of poor oral health is a pressing one and one that affects communities of all colours and creeds around the world. Through his role as CEO of Unspoken Smiles Foundation (USF), a nonprofit dedicated to oral health, he works to bring this issue to the forefront of people’s minds irrespective of geographical location, ethnicity, religious belief, and socio-economic status. Within USF, Jean Paul works across two key program areas -- oral health education and prevention in partnership with local primary schools, as well as a Fellowship that trains local women as community oral health professionals -- to help ensure better access to quality dental services for the greatest number of people in impoverished communities. By developing, supporting, and incubating these initiatives, the Unspoken Smiles Foundation has been able to serve nearly 7000 children and help build confidence, improve oral health, and transform futures in communities across India, Romania, El Salvador, Iraqi Kurdistan, Guatemala, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

According to an estimate, around 3.58 billion people around the world lack access to oral health care, simply because they either cannot afford it or have never had access to a dentist in their entire lives. For some, getting dental treatment means travelling for several hours or waiting upwards of a year for free dental care provided by international aid organizations. During this time, many die from oral diseases that are 100% preventable. 

Jean Paul’s philanthropic achievements have garnered recognition from a variety of prestigious organizations including the United Nations, Resolution Project, Clinton Foundation, Ashoka, American Express, TED and NYU Alumni. Jean Paul recently also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. His passion for social entrepreneurship, oral health, and public-private partnership have led to Unspoken Smiles Foundation being considered as the preeminent global hub in the field of Dentistry. His work has also appeared in Thrive Global, HuffPost, and the New York Times, among other places.