Returning to Carolina: Jacqueline Charles on Journalism, Haiti and Inspiration

Jacqueline Charles ’94, an award-winning Haitian correspondent for the Miami Herald and Distinguished Alumna and NC Media and Journalism Hall of Famer, found herself walking the halls of the University of North Carolina once again — not as a student, but as an accomplished journalist invited to speak to her peers, faculty, staff and students at the 2024 Nelson Benton Lecture. The moment was significant for Charles, bringing her full circle in her professional journey. It wasn’t just another speaking engagement — this was a personal milestone for her, marking a meaningful return to her alma mater.

“When I am given the pleasure to talk to students here, it takes me back,” Charles said. “One of my guilty pleasures is reflecting on how far I’ve come.”

For Charles, the invitation to speak wasn’t just a nod to her career but the realization of a long-held goal. She remembered sitting in those same classrooms as a student, listening to speakers like herself – real, working journalists who’d once been in her shoes.

“I knew back then, if I ever got the opportunity to come back to Carolina to speak to students, I’d arrived,” she said, smiling. “It meant someone noticed my work and thought it was worth enough to share with the next generation.”

From Student to Correspondent

During her time at UNC, Charles was inspired by professors like Harry Amana, whose passion for journalism helped ignite her own.

“I remember sitting in his class, hearing from a former student who made it as a journalist, and realizing – this is possible for me too. I can do this,” Charles said. Her ambition was cemented by those early moments, and she made it her mission to one day return, sharing her journey with future students.

Now, years later, Charles is not only invited to speak at prestigious institutions like Colby College in Maine, where she received the Courage Award, but she’s also been interviewed by journalists from The New York Times. Still, there’s nothing quite like being selected to lecture at her alma mater.

“It takes you back, amplifying the investment your professors poured into you. It’s not just about your own hard work but also about the efforts of those who believed in you,” Charles said.

“Jacqueline Charles exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a journalist. Her dedication to telling the stories that matter, particularly those from communities that are often underrepresented, is a testament to her integrity and passion,” said Raul Reis, dean of UNC Hussman. “We are incredibly proud to have her among our alumni, and it is an honor to welcome her back to Carolina to inspire the next generation of storytellers. Jacqueline’s work in Haiti and beyond demonstrates the impact that one person’s voice can have in shaping understanding and fostering change.”

Covering Haiti: A Lifelong Beat

Charles’ passion for covering Haiti began right after her graduation.

“My first assignment was to go to Haiti, and I was told, ‘Get a sleeping bag. You’ll be sleeping on the ground.’ I spoke Creole, and that helped immensely,” she said. For years, whenever a hurricane hit or migration crisis unfolded, Charles was the one to cover it.

“I’d step in for my colleagues on Haiti stories, but I always wanted to own that beat. Haiti has always been close to my heart,” Charles said.

Charles’ dedication to the Haitian community didn’t just stay within the borders of the country. In Miami, where she’s based, she found the local Haitian immigrant community provided an essential connection.

“Covering the immigrant community in Miami often reflected what was happening in Haiti,” she said. “It’s a way of understanding a country’s struggles and triumphs through the eyes of its diaspora.”

Her advice to students? “If you want to cover international stories, start with local immigrant communities where you are,” Charles said. “Learn their culture, their language. That way, when the opportunity comes to report aboard, you’ll have some introduction.”

Navigating Modern Journalism

In today’s world of disinformation and rapid news cycles, Charles finds herself not only covering a country in crisis but also combatting widespread misinformation.

“Haiti has exploded on the national scene, and unfortunately, much of it has been framed by falsehoods. People hear things like ‘Haitians are eating animals,’ and it sticks,” she said. Charles emphasized the importance of providing accurate context, particularly in the face of such narratives.

“We need to set up with facts. It’s important to talk about who these communities are and how they receive information,” Charles said.

Charles also acknowledged the difficulties of being the sole correspondent covering a country that often receives little attention from the broader media landscape.

“It’s exhausting – working on four stories at once, trying to make sure the world knows what’s happening in Haiti. But it’s necessary,” she said.

Giving Back to the Next Generation

For Charles, one of the highlights of speaking at Carolina is interacting with students. After her lecture, students flocked to her immediately to learn more about her experience covering stories in Haiti and how Carolina shaped her into a journalist.

“The most beneficial part of these talks is the questions students ask,” she said. “I love when they’re engaged and want to know what a day in my life looks like.”

Charles hopes her story can inspire students who, like her, might be sitting in those chairs wondering if they can make it as journalists.

“If I can erase even one doubt that someone has about pursuing journalism, I’ve done my job,” she said.

Her career, which began at 14-years-old as an intern at the Miami Herald, has come full circle. During her time at UNC, Charles not only worked as an editor for Black Ink and The Daily Tar Heel but also co-founded the Carolina Association of Black Journalists (CABJ). She draws inspiration from her mentors, like the legendary Chuck Stone, and feels immense pride in seeing how organizations like CABJ continue to thrive.

“It’s amazing to see that CABJ remains necessary and vibrant,” Charles said. “I love this university and have no regrets.”

As she prepared to speak to her fellow Tar Heels, Charles reflected on her journey – one that began at UNC and took her to the frontlines of some of the most important stories unfolding around the world.