Hello everyone. I just wanted to tell you a little about me. I am originally from Houston, Texas. In 1987, I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in history at the University of Houston, graduating with honors. Two years later I earned a Masters Degree in history at Rice University. I completed my formal education at the University of Houston in 1997, earning a Ph.D. Degree in history at the University of Houston. I have been a college teacher for over 17 years. My first nine years were at Houston Community College where I worked as a full-time faculty member. Presently, I am an Associate Professor of History and Director of the African American Studies at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Teaching, lecturing, public speaking, and writing are my passions. In my tenure at the University of Arkansas, I have been invited to speak at numerous colleges and universities, and I am very involved with a variety of student-related activities.

On a personal note, I reside in Fayetteville with my 13 year-old son, Charles III. My son and I have a great relationship, and I feel very blessed to have him in my life. I am definitely into fitness. I lift weights, play basketball, and take Tae Kwon Do. I also love watching football and basketball. My two favorite professional teams are the Washington Redskins and the Houston Rockets.

Although I am not a member of any church, I consider myself a very spiritual person. I usually read my bible, pray and meditate everyday. As a child I was raised in the Seventh-Day-Adventist Church. For me, being spiritual means that I recognize and respect that there is a force that sustains me in this universe. I believe that God, the Father, and his son, Jesus Christ, are loving, caring, forgiving, powerful and incredibly patient deities. Therefore, I should strive to manifest these same characteristics. Admittedly, I don’t always understand God’s action or seeming inaction, but I try to have faith and believe in the admonishment spelled out in one of my favorite bible verses: All things work together for the good of them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).