Biography of Mustapha Jatta

    Mustapha Jatta was born on the 3^rd of November, 1983, in Bundung, The Gambia, West Africa.  Mustapha grew up in his grandma’s compound in Bundung Bantaba, where he lived with his extended family.  Mustapha is from the Karon (Karoninka) tribe which is a distinct language from other Jola varieties .He attended Sukuta Primary School for only a short time before being transferred to Bakoteh Primary School. Soon after, he proceeded to continue his education at Latri Kunda Technical Secondary School.  The term at Latri Kunda Technical Secondary School was cut short due to Mustapha’s transition from The Gambia to the United States in late 1998.

    Mustapha possessed a strong fascination with the world of electronics. Knowledge and experience bloomed as Mustapha continuously fed his strong fascination. At the age of eight, he started repairing many household electronics including televisions, electronic watches and flashlights.  The older Mustapha became, the stronger his electronics fascination became.  By the time Mustapha reached twelve years old, he had mastered the art of electronic repairing and following lots of dedication and determination, was able to use wood, umbrella sparks, recycled old radio parts for the creation of an antenna and a transmitter which resulted in the creation of his own radio station. Initially, the radio station had a range of only one mile but this was a huge accomplishment to him, as well as to the Gambian community, considering he lacked any professional training. He continued to work on perfecting the radio station and was soon able to enhance its capabilities. Eventually, the reception was so powerful that he was able to link up with BBC World Service, Voice of America, and his national radio in Gambia. The radio station was able to be heard by listeners tuning in as far as thirty miles away. The Gambian community was behind Mustapha and his accomplishment. They showed their support by making it possible for him to conduct talk shows that featured much needed issues such as conflict resolution, HIV, and teenage pregnancy. He also used the radio as a means of communication with his friends.  News of the radio station traveled quickly and people came to witness the news from all parts of the country.  People were able to tune in from about 10 to 30 miles away. 

In years to come, Mustapha had established a reputation for his accomplishments, dedication and determination. Many important people began to show interest him. The Government of Gambia had a hard time believing that such a young boy was capable of doing so much. They had to see it with their own eyes; therefore, the Speaker of the House paid Mustapha a personal visit to investigate what had been told to the government.  Later, the news continued to spread and some members of Parliament such as Sulayman Joof and Tombong Jatta decided that they too, would pay a visit to see if what they heard was really true. The visits made it possible for Mustapha to establish personal relationships with many important people in the governmental sector. With the help of the government and his community, he was introduced to The New Future Foundation, an international organization that supports youth development through education.

    In 1998, with the help of the Gambian community and the New Future Foundation, Mustapha was able to travel to the United States where he resided in Harlem, New York. Upon reaching the United States, he enrolled into Martin Luther King, Jr. High School. He was not placed in his institute of interest because he was not considered proficient enough for regular English classes. He was placed in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.  Within a year, he progressed from ESL to his institute of interest, Science and Technology.    While going through this ordeal, he became the United Nations Youth Representative for Peace where he articulated opinions of the international youth when attending various conferences from 1998 until 2002. He was also involved with the Harlem Women's Committee as a representative of Gambia. He also built a radio station just as he had done while in Gambia but shut it down quickly after being advised of the consequences that he could face for not having a license and violating the FCC guidelines.  Luckily, he still possessed strong determination to enhance his knowledge and experience. He searched high and low for strategies to get what he needed and where he needed to be in order to fulfill his desire to work with a radio station. While in New York and searching for strategies, he met a man that he referred to as his extended uncle. He told this man of his problem and as fate would have it; this man was able to help him. The man also took him to The City College of New York and introduced him to the director of WHCR. 90.3 FM Radio, Joe Brown. Mr. Brown evaluated Mustapha and later granted him the position as a replacement host. Mustapha gladly accepted this position and worked hard to excel.  In 1999, the hard work and dedication as replacement host certainly paid off. Mustapha was given his own show, which he called “The Sounds of Africa”. Today, Mustapha is the youngest staff Disc Jockey working at City College.

Mustapha’s interest continued to grow as he worked hard at all of his endeavors. He had became very comfortable with radios, radios, other small electronics, and radio stations. This called for something new. He set his eyes on computers and technology. Due to the Gambia having very few computers, he knew nothing about a computer but desired to learn.  He began to experiment on computers in his spare time and learned a great deal about computers including web design by using the trial and error method.  Mustapha still sought to learn more and found a way to do so, as well as sharing what he already had found with other students interested in computers and technology. He volunteered after school as an assistant in the Computer Center of the high school he was attending. He helped students with computer troubleshooting and various computer functions including general information, setting up websites, and installation of software. During this time, Mustapha’s ability to assist others while improving himself academically was astonishing since he was categorized as being at a fifth grade level upon his arrival to the high school.  Martin Luther King Jr. High School expressed their gratitude to Mustapha for his academic success and voluntary assistance by awarding him with numerous certificates throughout his four years and the Benjamin Banneker Award at graduation.

Mustapha strived hard to be as well-rounded as possible. He joined many more different organizations in addition to the ones he had joined previously. He became a member of the Student Pugwash of the U.S.A and as a student leader, formed a chapter of Student Pugwash at Martin Luther king, Jr. High School, Science & Technology Institute. Through this organization, he coordinated student participation in several national conferences from 2000 through 2003.  He was also inducted into the National Honor Roll Society, which is the nation's premier organization established to honor outstanding high school and middle level students for their success in the categories of scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

    Finally, Mustapha, as well others were extremely proud of Mustapha and his success. He knew that with a little effort, he had come a long way. Just as things began to become routine again, Mustapha found something else to aim for. He reached for the world of medical care. He was able to spend two years in a Biotechnological program at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, where he completed hospital practicum academic studies, written and oral presentations in health career preparation. While there, he not only received information but was able to contribute to the medical field by developing a technical device that served his peers in various health concerns such as HIV-AIDS, drugs/alcohol, and other health issues.  This device connected the school system database with the youth, who could in turn, anonymously participate in questionnaire/ health surveys. This was definitely a major contribution to the health profession and is currently maintained by other students.