September 16, 2009 – Someone You Should Know

Robert Louis-Charles, Academic and Student Services Coordinator for OWU’s Upward Bound program.

Photo by Shade Fakunle ’10

Robert Louis-Charles
An OWU alumnus moves onward and ‘Upward’ at his alma mater

Ohio Wesleyan University can have such an impact on students that some just can’t stay away for long. That’s the story for Robert “Big” Louis-Charles. This 23-year-old 2008 graduate is back as the newly appointed academic and student services coordinator for OWU’s Upward Bound program.

“I feel like it is a privilege and an honor to be a part of the staff at the institution from which I graduated,” Louis-Charles says. “This is the place where my dreams became tangible, so being here again makes me feel like I’m getting closer.”

Before returning to Ohio Wesleyan, Louis-Charles was living in his home state of New Jersey and working as the student success coach for L.I.F.E: Leaders Inspiring Future Excellence, an independent organization started by two of his friends. The goal of L.I.F.E. is to “assist and provide support to inner-city kids through avenues of academics, social programming, and recreational programming,” Louis-Charles says.

In addition to being a motivator, Louis-Charles is a writer. “One day I hope to publish a series. My writing defines who I am and how I express myself,” he says.

Currently, Louis-Charles is getting in his writing practice using a shorter, faster format. Every week, about 200 people receive “Big’s Weekly Thought,” a mass text message he sends out to friends, family, and co-workers. These original messages are meant to inspire, encourage, support, enlighten, and uplift those who receive it.

“It seems like the easiest thing to do, but it is the hardest. It is a way for me to test my writing with my audience,” he says.

Being a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. is also significant to Louis-Charles. “It was nice to introduce a historic black Greek organization to [Ohio Wesleyan’s] campus,” he says.

Before Louis-Charles joined the fraternity in 2007, Phi Beta Sigma was not present at Ohio Wesleyan.

Louis-Charles describes himself as humble, patient, caring, calm, and intense. He is a lover of all types of music, including pop, alternative, and hip-hop, and is a frequent visitor to jazz clubs such as Vonn’s Jazz Club near Delaware. In his family, he is first generation Haitian American.

Growing up in America was quite a challenge for Louis-Charles, as his family is very traditional when it comes to Haitian culture, principles, values, and morals.

“I was living in two different worlds when I would leave home and go into American culture,” he says. “Because I was so young, I didn’t really understand what was going on. I didn’t know how to incorporate [both cultures] into my lifestyle. It was just the simple things like prom, sports, and even hanging out with friends after school.”

Louis-Charles’s mother had a great impact on his life though she was ill from severe rheumatoid arthritis, which impaired her ability to walk, work, and shower without assistance.

“It made me grow up a lot faster. Even though she was sick, she was able to teach me a lot of survival skills,” he says.

He contributes these challenges and what he was able to learn from them to his successes as an adult.

Very specific life goals keep Louis-Charles going. In three years, he plans to have his master’s degree in creative writing and be working on his first book. Ten years from now, he plans to establish a boarding school that houses inner-city and underprivileged children. He also would like to have his doctorate degree and a nice family.

“Despite the challenges, especially with my mom, God has sent miracles and blessings my way,” he says. “I’ve watched my mom get back to doing things on her own again; if that’s not a miracle then what is?”

You can catch up with Louis-Charles at the Upward Bound office in Phillips Hall and find out more about his life and his goals.

Fun Facts

• Favorite Color: I’m in love with yellow.
• Favorite Holiday: Christmas season because my birthday is right before, so it’s like a double celebration.
• Favorite Food: Haitian red rice and beans and beef patties.

– Shade Fakunle ’10