We recently connected with Charon Darris and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Charon, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
When I was 18 years old, I experienced a significant tragedy that profoundly shaped the course of my life. On Friday, November 24, 1994 (the weekend of my freshman year college Thanksgiving break), at approximately 11:00 pm, I exited the 3 train stop at 145th Street and Lenox Avenue, just three blocks from my home. As I began to walk toward my building, I was robbed by three men. During the struggle, I was stabbed in the back, puncturing my left lung and narrowly missing my heart by centimeters. Despite the severity of the incident, I survived, spending the next month in Harlem Hospital undergoing various medical procedures. My body and spirit were forever altered by that ordeal.
On the evening before my final surgery in the hospital, I made a promise to God. If He saw me through to the next day, I would seize every opportunity before me and dedicate my life to serving others. Today, I continue to work to honor that promise.
The first 15 years of my professional career were spent in financial services and consulting, during which I was promoted several times, rising from an analyst to an exceptional, top-ranking business development officer. At the same time, I was actively involved in volunteering and serving as a steward for multiple community-based organizations. From 2007 to 2011, I served as the Fundraising and Event Planning Committee Chair for the Morehouse College Manhattan Alumni Association. In 2010, leveraging my goodwill with my employer, M&T Bank, I spearheaded a partnership between the bank and Morehouse, co-sponsoring the school’s annual Business Department Awards Banquet and establishing a pipeline of Morehouse and Spelman students for entry-level employment opportunities at the bank to assist in addressing their diversity goals.
In 2011, I began laying the groundwork for a formal transition to full-time non-profit work, starting an executive MBA program focused on social enterprise at Columbia Business School and completing my degree in 2013. The following year, I earned a master’s degree in education policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
For the past decade, I have worked full-time in the non-profit sector, leading organizations across the country through periods of change and growth, ultimately increasing their community impact.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a native of Harlem, I am deeply rooted in my community and driven by a passion for making a meaningful difference. Throughout my career spanning over 25 years, I have honed my skills as an executive leader, specializing in turnarounds, fundraising, and strategic planning for small and mid-sized organizations.
My educational journey includes earning a BA from Morehouse College, an MBA from Columbia Business School, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. These academic achievements, coupled with a wealth of experience in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, have equipped me with a diverse skill set to tackle challenges head-on.
During the initial 15 years of my professional life, I thrived in financial services and consulting roles. Notably, at M&T Bank, I was honored with the President’s Club Award for my exceptional performance, ranking as the number 1 business banking relationship manager for the entire bank. This accomplishment underscores my ability to exceed expectations and drive results.
In 2014, I embarked on a new chapter by relocating to Oakland, California, to lead the turnaround of a local non-profit, Oakland Technology Exchange West. Over the course of just 12 months, I secured over $2,000,000 in funding, expanded the organization’s reach to two additional cities, and found and onboarded a dynamic leader to continue the work I had begun, setting the stage for the organization’s continued success.
Upon my return to New York in 2016, I assumed the role of Executive Director at the Adams Street Foundation (ASF), a college access organization. During my tenure, I grew board membership and fundraising by 25%, resolved legacy issues with the audit and financial controls, identified and implemented a CRM tool for fundraising, and significantly expanded media and community relationships. In June 2020 of the COVID-19 global pandemic, I led a virtual fundraiser, raising nearly $400,000 for ASF, and coordinated a virtual graduation of over 100 12th graders. The following year, I laid the groundwork for ASF to raise over $700,000 through a virtual fundraiser and led the search for their next Executive Director.
Today, I proudly serve as the Executive Director of the Harlem-based Reading Team, an organization committed to providing free, intensive literacy instruction to children in Pre-K to 5th grades. In this role, I am driven by a profound sense of purpose, knowing that every child we empower with literacy skills has the potential to thrive.
Beyond my professional endeavors, I am an avid marathon runner, having completed the New York City Marathon six times. I also find joy in exploring the world through travel and am privileged to serve as a board trustee for the Fordham Preparatory School, furthering my commitment to education and community development.
In summary, my journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a steadfast dedication to serving others. I am excited to continue making a positive impact and empowering communities to reach their full potential.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I believe the three most impactful qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge in my journey have been:
(1) Being of service to others: As exemplified by the Yoruba Proverb, “What you give, you get ten times over,” I’ve learned the profound importance of serving others. One of my heroes is Chadwick Boseman. We were close in age and like many people, I was inspired by what he accomplished and how he lived his life. Mr. Boseman’s dedication to visiting hospitalized children while battling cancer serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact of selflessness. I’ve found that being of service not only honors the support I’ve received from mentors and loved ones but also fosters greater self-awareness and personal growth.
Advice: Early in their journey, individuals can best develop this quality by actively seeking opportunities to support others in their communities or workplaces. Whether through mentorship, volunteering, or simply lending a helping hand, acts of service not only benefit those in need but also cultivate empathy and compassion within oneself.
(2) ‘Owning and learning from mistakes’ underscores the importance of resilience and growth through adversity. Despite my accomplishments, I am far from perfect. I make mistakes, many small, some big. I have learned to embrace my mistakes as taking ownership of them is essential for building trust and fostering innovation.
Advice: Early in their journey, individuals should embrace mistakes as learning opportunities rather than viewing them as failures. By accepting responsibility and actively seeking solutions, they can demonstrate integrity and build credibility in their personal and professional relationships.
(3) ‘Doing what you love and being authentic’ highlights the significance of authenticity and passion. I love what I do! It’s the culmination of so many experiences and interests over nearly 30 years, allowing me to be my authentic self. Authenticity breeds excellence and cultivates loyalty, both in the workplace and in personal endeavors.
Advice: Early in their journey, individuals should prioritize pursuing their passions and remaining true to themselves. By aligning their actions with their values and interests, they can foster a sense of fulfillment and inspire others to do the same.
In summary, by embodying qualities of service, resilience, and authenticity, individuals can navigate their journeys with purpose and impact while forging their own paths to success.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was instill a strong work ethic.
I am the only child of Walter Darris and Yolanda Perry. Walter, born in the U.S. in 1938, was the son of Jewish parents who escaped Nazi-occupied Germany. Yolanda, African-American, grew up in rural North Carolina before making her way to New York City and settling in public housing in East Harlem. Despite not being affluent, my parents, who firmly believed in the transformative power of education, made significant financial sacrifices to ensure that I had access to some of the city’s most prestigious middle and high schools. Their sacrifices paid off, providing me with the educational foundation necessary to navigate complex academic environments and pursue higher education.
Upon graduating from Morehouse College in 1998, I entered the financial services industry, where I worked for JP Morgan, Bank of America, and M&T Bank. While I appreciated the opportunities it afforded me, I couldn’t shake the feeling that many of my childhood peers were being left behind due to a lack of access. This realization fueled my decision to return to school, earning an MBA from Columbia Business School and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. My ultimate goal was to leverage my education and experience to lead grassroots non-profit education organizations in underserved communities across America.
Today, as the Executive Director of the Harlem-based Reading Team, a 23-year-old organization dedicated to providing free, intensive literacy instruction to children in Pre-K to 5th grades, I am fulfilling that goal. I attribute my dedication to creating opportunities for youth directly to the values instilled in me by my parents. Their unwavering commitment to education and hard work continues to inspire me every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.charondarris.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dobadarris/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charon.darris/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdarris76/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DobaDarris
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharonDarris
