Webber J. Charles is a first generation Haitian-American, born and raised in Miami, Florida. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Florida International University (FIU), Charles served as one of the managing principals of Concepticom, LLC, a design firm that developed marketing collateral and websites for Luxury Resorts in the Turks and Caicos. Charles has spent the last twelve years passionately working with children and young adults from all walks of life. He first found his passion for children and their intellectual development during his tenure at Edison Park Elementary. In addition to his primary role as Art Teacher, Charles developed and facilitated an Art and Chess Club and tutored Math and Science to boost academic achievement. He served as the 5000 Role Models mentor, coached the schools highly decorated chess team, and developed an Art/Writing club. Charles’ work at Edison Park Elementary has been well documented in local print and TV media including WSVN, CBS, The Miami Herald, and The Miami Times. With a growing passion to reach more young people, Charles saw in his new role as Associate Site Director at Breakthrough Miami – Ransom Everglades School an opportunity to leverage private school resources in his efforts in the community at large. Managing a number of the school’s community outreach programs he served as a faculty sponsor of the Black Student Association and RE Chess Club. In his efforts to establish greater diversity on campus he served as a faculty committee member of Diversity Council, the Booker T. Washington Student Exchange Program, and the Haiti Initiative. Through his dynamic leadership style, Charles worked diligently to develop organizational synergies between Breakthrough Miami and Ransom Everglades School. In the community Charles serves in various leadership roles with several non-profit organizations. He currently serves on the executive board of NLC Miami as Curriculum Co-Chair, the Advisory Board of the Nyah Project, the Executive Board of Footprints Across Haiti, and on the Board of Excelsior Charter School, Miami Gardens. In the past two years Charles’ work with Miami’s youth has been recognized by local leaders and professional organizations. He has been awarded the ’40 Under 40 Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow 2014’ and ‘The Top Black Educators of 2016’ award by Legacy Magazine of the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel. He has been awarded the Miami Foundation’s Miami Leaders Grant – a $5,000 grant to attend Columbia Business School’s Developing Leaders for Non-Profits program. Most recently, he received the 2016 Genius Award from BMe Community – a knight funded organization that identifies black men building community and highlights their story via a national media strategy. Charles is currently the Senior Site Director of Breakthrough Miami – Ransom Everglades School. His continued focus on factors motivating high achieving, low-income students guide his professional and community work. He is currently a thesis candidate – Master’s Degree in Communications – at St. Thomas University.