““We can change outcomes for our city’s youth by equipping them with skills to write and advocate; and we can change our city by ensuring youth voices are heard.” ”
OUR TEAM
Kendra Bryant, Coach, Summer Publishing Internship
Kendra Bryant is a junior Mass Communications major with a concentration in journalism at Towson University. Kendra is an alum, as well as a previous intern with CHARM. While at Towson, she has recently launched the female-college based magazine, entitled 'Her Campus: Towson University'. On the platform, everything from fashion, politics, financial literacy, and even entertainment are covered from the college student perspective! Kendra has also served as a Baltimore City College writing center tutor, a Girl Scout Gold Recipient, and now a coach for CHARM's Summer Internship Program.
Whitney WARD Birenbaum, Executive Director
Whitney taught middle school Language Arts and Humanities in Baltimore City Schools for 13 years. She has been recognized locally and nationally for her work in the classroom. She co-founded CHARM because she saw how much her students grew—both academically and in their self-confidence—when they produced writing that made an impact on the world around them.
Donte Kirby, Journalist
Donte is a Philadelphia native that spent the last year and a half as an education volunteer with the Peace Corps in Rwanda, where he taught English to over 150 students. He is currently a Report for America Fellow covering digital equity in Baltimore for Technical.ly, a Baltimore-based news source publishing stories about the impact of the technology economy on growing cities and focusing on the entrepreneurs and technologists that make up that ecosystem. He is looking forward to seeing the stories of Baltimore's youth and helping them delve into journalistic storytelling.
Albert Phillips, Jr.
Albert Phillips Jr. is the founder and CEO of Free Black Mind Educational Group, a company that creates empowering and educational digital and print resources and programming for Black youth. He specializes in urban education and youth development. Albert earned a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Morgan State University. He is an MFA candidate in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts at University of Baltimore.
Yifan Luo, Graphic Designer
Yifan is an illustrator with a passion for storytelling and visual journalism. She holds a BA from Brown University and an MFA in Illustration Practice from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). In recent years, she has collaborated with nonprofits, food justice organizations, local businesses, and more to bring their visions to life.
Madison Mattison, Student Editorial Board Mentor
Madison Mattison currently works as CHARM's Partnership Coordinator and focuses on maintaining working relationships within the CHARM community. She is a graduate of Goucher College and received her BA in Professional and Creative Writing. Madison is a Baltimore native who loves crabs, the Orioles, walking around her neighborhood and hanging out in Fells Point. She has poems published in CHARM Lit Magazine and her debut short story published in Grub Street of Towson University.
Tiaira Robinson, Coach, Summer PublishinG Internship
Tiaira Robinson is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. Tiaira is the Program Director of I AM MENtality Youth Male Empowerment Project and an Educator in Baltimore City who has worked with the youth for over ten years.
Tiaira Robinson is a past fellow for the American Express Campaign for Black Male Achievement, Center for Urban Families’ Practitioner’s Leadership Institute, and Baltimore Corps Mayoral Fellowship serving with Baltimore City’s Department of Planning.
Tiaira has youth and community-driven certifications from the Center for Creative Leadership, Academy for Educational Development and Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute. Tiaira graduated from Coppin State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Arts with a focus in Arts Administration.
Annalies WInny, Workshop Coordinator
Annalies Winny is a journalist covering the intersection of public policy, development and urban life. She has reported from several cities including Baltimore, Monrovia, Liberia, London and New York. Her work appears in Global Health NOW, The Guardian, VICE News, The Atlantic’s CityLab, Prospect Magazine, Baltimore City Paper and others. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Nonfiction Writing from The New School in New York City. Twitter and Instagram: @annalieswinny Website: www.annalieswinny.com