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Charles Ledbetter

Biography

 

PROFILE: Charles's life is perpetually in transition. As a child, he passed hands many times between parents, grandparents and finally found a loving home with his aunt Kristen and uncle Andre, who took him in as their foster child. They taught Charles the value of education and, most importantly, loved and appreciated his quirks, even as his teachers were raising their eyebrows. Charles considers his education to be “a privilege” and will continue using his knowledge and resources to help those in need. Charles majored in English at the University of California, Los Angeles (2001-205) and last year received his MPhil in English Literature from Cambridge University. During his time at UCLA, Charles managed to win awards for writing and academics, and was a star on the Bruins’ Fencing Team. At Cambridge, Charles received a first for his masters thesis on transgender performance culture. In September, Charles began his PhD in Modern Thought & Literature at Stanford University. He aspires to a career in ministry for the Church of England. In February, Charles will celebrate the beginning of a new journey--a medical transition to greater harmony between his soul and body.

INSPIRATION:  Charles is especially grateful to his mentors who have supported him throughout his academic career. A few particularly influential individuals have been Dr. Chris Mott for his knowledge, patience, and open-mindedness, Dr. La’Tonya Rease-Miles, director of the McNair Program, for her no-nonsense guidance, Dr. Jennifer Wilson, UCLA’s Assistance Vice Provost for Honors and Mrs. Akers, Charles’s third-grade teacher, who first told Charles that he was a talented writer.

ASPIRATION: Charles would like to use the resources granted to him by his education to make creative interventions in academia and activism, or as he puts it: “Mild-mannered scholar by day; Social Justice Super Hero by night.” Update: Charles is beginning to explore a vocation in ministry for the Church of England.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: While Charles has given his time over the years helping foster youth and LGBT individuals, he’s most proud of the fact that, as a result of his “constant propagandizing,” his little sister wants to go to college and become a social worker.

ACCOLADES: To name just a few of the honors Charles has received over the past few years: he is one of three recipients of the Charles E. Young Undergraduate Award, given to the top undergraduates at UCLA; the English department's Hastings Scholarship; and the Dean's Prize for Poetry for the best poem published in Westwind, UCLA's undergraduate literary journal.

INTERESTING FACT: It’s an inside joke with Charles's friends and family that no matter how hard he tries, “I can’t cook. Once, I messed-up 90-second rice 10 seconds after my dad said, ‘This is idiot-proof.’

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