After discovering a love for public speaking and writing as a student at Eastern Connecticut State University, Eugene Z. Bertrand ‘24 published his first book, “Resilience: Breaking the Chains,” this past September. The book tells a fictional yet realistic story of struggle, perseverance, and survival from domestic violence.

‘Resilience: Breaking the Chains’

Currently ranked among the top 200 best-selling books of the “domestic partner abuse” genre on Amazon, “Resilience” follows the complex journey of Nathan, a character who experiences, endures, and survives domestic violence from his stepfather, Richard – a respected public figure, but an abuser behind closed doors.

Although fictional, the novel tackles the stigma surrounding male victims of domestic violence. It explores the effects of domestic violence from a first-person point of view, the societal stigma surrounding speaking up as a male victim, and the many ways of healing.

“Healing really isn't linear,” Bertrand said.

Bertrand is open about being a survivor himself. He explained that it took significant time, energy, and courage to speak up and begin healing after surviving a near-death experience.

“My story is just one of many,” he said. “I found my creative voice through writing. If I didn’t have that, I genuinely don’t know where I would be.”

Bertrand’s hope is that the novel will empower victims and survivors to speak up, seek help, and begin the healing process. “You’re not alone, and you don’t have to go through it alone,” Bertrand said. “You have to survive each day acknowledging the fact that you’re worthy of peace and respect.”

Bertrand also emphasized that seeking help is a sign of strength. “It’s empowering to be vulnerable,” he said. “We’re stronger together than we are apart.”

Pivotal Eastern Experiences

At Eastern, Bertrand worked as a research assistant on “Stepping Into the Shade,” a years-long project by communication, film, and theatre Professors Brian Day and Kristen Morgan, along with local entrepreneur and television personality June Archer.

Providing historical documents and analysis to the production team, Bertrand learned about the long-standing and intricate relationships between Caribbean communities and the tobacco industry in Connecticut.

Through his involvement with the docuseries, Bertrand became inspired to delve deeper into his own heritage. Supported by history Professor and Department Chair Caitlin Carenen, Bertrand wrote a research paper and presentation for his honors thesis, titled “The Influence of Jamaican Immigration on Greater Hartford's Cultural and Political History.”

The research delved into the history of greater Hartford’s Jamaican community, from the first islanders to arrive in the city to the challenges they faced and the influence they have had on the region.

Bertrand presented his research at the 2023 Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) Northeast conference and won the J. Eugene Smith Library Research Award in 2024 for his work on the project.

Currently a graduate student at Columbia University in New York City, Bertrand is pursuing a master’s degree in social work and has become a professional speaker and advocate for the social work field.