much larger, I think. This one is for
the little Black girls and the little
Black boys who are languishing in
the child welfare system and cannot
see their lives beyond foster care.
This one is for you. I just need you
to know you can do this! I believe in
you.”
SE: What motivated you to
accomplish all that you’ve
accomplished?
Dr. Charles: “When I was in middle
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school and early high school, I had a
foster care mother who was restlessly
optimistic. She was amazing! I had
lived with her for quite some time.
She was encouraging. She passed
away when I was in college, and
by that time, I was on my way of
going to another foster home, who
ultimately became my adoptive
Mom. I think in different stages
of foster care, I’ve encountered
different people.”