Cute, Clever & Cultured: Cayman Stewart
Meet Cayman Stewart aka "Stuey Newton", the 22 year old, aspiring electrical engineer, graduating from Tuskegee University this Spring. I got candid with this college cutie, discussing his journey of becoming an engineer, dating as a millennial, and his perception on being a young, Black educated man of the 2010’s. Cute, cultured and clever.
It was an honor interviewing and featuring Cayman Stewart on my first #FineFriday feature. I selected him, not only because he is attractive and can dress— he's well rounded, educated and ambitious. A true lion's heart, and ideal 'eligible bachelor' for the millennials.
First, we talked about where he gets his good looks from, his experience at Tuskegee, making the honor roll, his internship in Florida, dream car & more.
He's smart & loyal
“Growing up in the Tri-state area has made me the strong, self-sufficient individual I am today””
Originally from Rahway, this Tuskegee University senior considers himself to be a 'Jersey boy.' "Growing up in the Tri-state area has made me the strong, self-sufficient individual I am today. City life is different; life is fast paced and people don't speak. It's a lot less forgiving. But growing up in such an environment will make you hard to the core and very in tune with self," he explained. "You learn how to survive, and you learn how to survive by yourself."
Cayman was raised in a cultured, heavily-influenced Island household, speaking Creole and following tradition, which has cultivated him into the man he is today. "My mother came to America from Haiti at the age of 21, where she met my African-American father in NYC," Cayman told me. "I also have a grandfather from Sicily. Though the Italian culture is not too present in [my] household, it is to blame for most of my physical features," he added.
Initially, Cayman did not imagine himself going to an HBCU. Growing up in a diverse metropolitan area, he "felt like it would not be an accurate representation of the 'real world.'" Luckily, Cayman had a shift in perspective.
“The illustrious history of Tuskegee University is unmatched.”
Cayman's decision to choose Tuskegee was simple, after acknowledging their "stellar engineering program, and elite, historic Air Force ROTC."
Visionary Boss: Paint a picture of Tuskegee University for anyone who's never been.
"Tuskegee is a tightly nit, yet enormous network of smart, young black professionals. It gives you a chance to meet people and establish many relationships. The students are hardworking and ambitious, giving you the friendly competition you need to excel in every aspect of life. The students wear tailored suits by day and their best party outfits at night. An environment where the students work hard and play harder—the switch is incredible."
"High school was rough for me. Distractions kept me from performing at my highest level. I spent my days in trouble with the law, skipping school, and hanging around the wrong crowd. When all of my peers were getting their big college acceptances my guidance counselor laughed at me, as he told me he didn't think I'd be able to get into college," he reminisced. Although, Cayman had a 1.9 GPA at the time, he was not going to settle. "I'm not ashamed to admit that it made me cry, [but] I stormed out of his office set on a mission to prove him wrong."
Cayman got a second chance at Tuskegee. "I was smart enough to realize that, not taking it for granted. From my first day at Tuskegee University, I took my studies seriously and began to prioritize more than ever."
Never breaking his stride has worked in Cayman's favor. For him, it's a refreshing feeling seeing his parents proud of his accomplishments. He even landed a paid internship with Florida Power & Light, last year.
I lived in an all expense paid condo on the beach. It was very satisfying and gave me a little taste of the perks that come from an engineering degree."
Laying out on Sarasota beach, golfing in Tampa, and looking like a young Mr. GQ in West Palm doesn't seem too bad. How does it feel to be a young, educated black man in the 2010's? You're in the stage of life where you're creating a foundation to have stability for yourself.
Almost reaching the finish line is "A damn good feeling of pure excitement," he notes. "But I try not to be too excited, because I have many more goals to reach," the humble scholar emphasized.
As Cayman finishes his last semester of college, he can definitely reflect on his journey, which has been a never-ending odyssey of growth.
"I've learned that I value relationships with people, more than anything. I have been blessed enough to have the best group of friends and family and no material item means more to me than them. I learned that no matter where I end up in life, I have to be around love, and not just love as in a significant other, or wife. But love in general. We are all children of God and are put on this earth to love each other."
Around this time, last year you posted a powerful statement on Instagram.
“Don’t have time nor patience for a lame ass individual that ain’t doin’ a damn thing to better his/her situation. Invest in yourself and stop worrying about the people around you”
Elaborate.
"Change comes from within. If you change yourself and truly try to better yourself and your situation, you won't have the time to worry about anyone else. You won't grow envious of others' success, but support them. On my college journey I have been blessed time and time again with different achievements. When this happens you begin to see who wants you to succeed and who is secretly jealous/envious of your success. Because of this I have had to disassociate myself from a lot of long-term friends. Many times we don't realize that people are infectious, and if not kept at a distance can infect us with their troubles, their negativity, and their pessimism. In other words, if you are not actively trying to better yourself your influence is detrimental to my progress."
What is opportunity to you?
"Opportunity is nothing without preparation," says Cayman. He broke down his philosophy with two analogies. "If you walk into a BMW dealership you now have the "opportunity" to purchase one, but if you don't have any money to buy one, then you are not "prepared" and that opportunity will pass you by. This holds true in all aspects of life. Maybe a friend refers you for a job opening, but you don't meet the educational requirements necessary for the position. The important thing is to make sure you are always prepared! Opportunity can fall in your lap, preparation can't."
Speaking of cars, anyone who follows you on Instagram can see that you're quite the car enthusiast.
"I drive a 2010 Hyundai Genesis 2.0T."
If you could pick out any car you want tomorrow, what whip would you get?
"A White Ferrari 488 Italia Spider on black Vossen wheels with red interior."
You also ride motorcycles, even referring to them as "toys."
"I've owned two Yahama R6's. There's no feeling like being on two wheels—the thrill, the power, the risks are all things that make each time you ride a different experience. I would rather ride than drive."
When you’re not being a scholar, fascinating over cars, and dressing to the 10’s, what are you doing?
"If I'm not in the gym, I spend my free time reading articles and books. I am very interested in finances and trading. So, I'm always seeking market trends and expanding my overall knowledge."
You're also an artist!
"My artistry expands far past painting. I am and have always been a perfectionist. Whether I'm creating a painting or creating a presentation. My paintings are just another way to show it, I like painting no more than I like cars, or engineering, or stocks!"
He's Just a Bachelor
Cayman's dream girl, the best date he's been on, moving to NYC & his simplistic, yet lavish life
What are 5 things you admire about yourself?
"I'm a conversationalist, very personable, wise, loyal and sometimes too generous, and loving."
What are things you want in a potential partner?
"My partner must be ambitious, open-minded, educated—to avoid intellectually boring me, and she must have a positive attitude!"
So, you think our generation puts too much emphasis on being physically intriguing, rather being mentally intriguing?
"Absolutely."
Who's the idea girl for Cayman?
"A beautiful, young cultured woman. She has to have a drop of color in her, whether she's Hispanic or Black. She also has to be super smart and challenge me to excel. Also she has to be nurturing. There is nothing better than a girl that takes care of her man! Lastly, she must be trustworthy and loyal."
It's date night, Cayman. Where are you taking this lucky girl, and what are you wearing?
"Clothes that you're not afraid to get dirty, gloves and a helmet," Cayman takes a sudden pause. "We're taking the dirt bikes and quads out!"
What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for a girl?
"Took her to an open field on a clear night, with a blanket and a bottle of some good wine to watch the stars."
What have you learned from relationships?
"You have to find someone you are friends with. All that "romantic" stuff is cute, but a solid foundation and friendship is more important, which is why I'd rather have a girl that will ride 4 wheelers with me instead of the cliche suit and dinner date."
Do you believe in love?
"I do believe in love."
Do you think our generation is too nonchalant and fleeting with love, romance, and relationships?
"Yes, because connections are so easy to make with all this new technology and social media, and many times connections easily made can be easily lost."
After getting Cayman's sophisticated mindset on relationships,
I shifted gears to get an idea of what his everyday life is like and what he imagines it to be in the future.
What's a typical day-in-the-life for you?
"My days vary, but I wake up super early around 5:20 A.M. Throw on my PT (Physical Fitness) uniform, and go to PT with the Detachment until 7. Then I come back to the apartment, shower to some Nipsey Hussle, and throw on my outfit for the day. I go upstairs, whip up a protein breakfast sandwich with eggs and turkey bacon on a grain English muffin. I fill up my gallon of water and head to work. But I don't work just anywhere! I'm lucky enough to work at the campus bookstore where I interact with the students all day! From here, I go back and forth from work to class until 3 P.M. Then I rush home, throw on some basketball shorts and a T, knock on the homies' door, and we're off to the gym. We work out for a good hour and a half, then it's back to the trap, a hood apartment complex we live in. Then I heat up a meal prep, crack a beer, turn on my Spotify playlist, and start going through my emails and doing any work I need to do. I read a little bit, get some episodes of Family Guy in, pass out, and do it all over again!"
What is your dream, ideal life?
"To me, life is all about people and the connections you make. My dream life would be having a big, beautiful family of my own to raise and teach everything I know. [I'd live] in a huge home with a lot of land and no neighbors, somewhere on the outskirts of Atlanta. At that point I'd be satisfied with life."
Are you simplistic or lavish?
"I'd say I'm a little bit of both, while I'm not very materialistic, I love to have fun. I spend a lot of my money on experiences, so I can only imagine how life is going to be with an engineering salary!"
Cayman's plans after graduation are to work as a 62 E1E electrical engineer at Wright Patterson, and to eventually move to NYC, to work in the private sector as an engineering consultant.
What are your goals for the rest of the year?
Cayman simply answered, "Graduate, commission, start work, get a husky puppy and a white BMW."
If we had to remember you in a few words or phrases, what would it be?
"We're all on borrowed time. Never grow content. Those who remain in the dream phase will get stuck in it, and spend the rest of their lives simply dreaming. Life is a privilege, take what you have at the moment, and make the best of it."
