Daphne L. Charles believes in the power of hope, the significance of mentorship, the impact of the masses, and the ability for young minds to be inspired and enlightened despite their life challenges. She is a North Miami Beach, FL native born to Haitian parents who believed strongly in the value of education and the pursuit of progress.
Daphne attended the University of Florida (UF) where she served in many positions of leadership while placing a strong emphasis in giving back to the Gainesville, FL community. As President of the Minority Student Education Guild and President of Beta Eta Sigma Black Honor Society, Daphne linked community youth of lower socio-economic status and University students through programs that served local public, charter, and alternative schools; juvenile detention centers; and a center for pregnant teens. She founded the Outreach Ambassadors Mentorship Program, establishing mentor/mentee relationships at five area high schools. Committed to making a difference, she also volunteered at Camp Boggy Creek for terminally ill children with children who were diagnosed with Diabetes, Sickle Cell, and HIV/Aids. As a College Reach Out Program (C.R.O.P) staff member, she served as Public Relations officer, SAT preparatory Class Coordinator, and Summer Residency Program Coordinator. In addition, as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., she served as Journalist, then Chaplain of the Lambda Psi Chapter and also received the sorority's Most Service Award in recognition of the hours she dedicated to service during her last year at UF. Upon her graduation from UF, she won the Summer 2006 Female Outstanding Graduate Award, and was honored with speaking to thousands at the UF Summer 2006 Commencement about the power of education, action, and unity. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Relations from the College of Journalism and Communications.
After transitioning to Atlanta, GA after graduation, as a Motivational Speaker, Daphne spoke to over 4,000 students about college preparation and life decisions in Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. She served as a consultant to organizations working with youth and also volunteered weekly with other youth-oriented organizations. She began working with College Summit, an organization that encourages all youth, especially those with low GPA or test scores, to go to college through tackling their current challenges in life, and capitalizing on their possibilities to succeed. She has facilitated workshops for College Summit students in IN, WV, MD, VA, and MO.
Before attending the University of Pennsylvania, Daphne served as the Director of Community Mobilization for LevelTen: A Movement to Close the Achievement Gap. On a daily basis, she recruited professionals, college students, and high school students to take a stand against the Achievement Gap through encouraging them to participate in service and awareness based initiatives in communities across America.
Daphne is currently in the Teacher Education Program at the Graduate School of Education, pursuing a Master of Secondary Education degree. She plans to become a highly effective English Teacher in Under-resourced schools who inspires students to reach their dreams through giving them the tools to do so. Eventually, Daphne plans to become a high school administrator in a high needs community. She aspires to be a living symbol that education is the true means to real action in society.
