Today we’d like to introduce you to Charon Darris.

Hi Charon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Harlem during the 1980s, at the height of the community’s struggles with poverty and violence. Despite not being affluent, my parents, who firmly believed in the transformative power of education, made significant financial sacrifices to ensure that I had access to some of the city’s most prestigious middle and high schools. Even as a child, I was acutely aware of the potential impact this opportunity could have on my life. My parents’ sacrifices paid off, providing me with the educational foundation necessary to pursue higher education and lay the groundwork for a great career. I went on to attend and graduate with honors from Morehouse College, where I also studied abroad through Semester at Sea, visiting Japan, China, Vietnam, India, Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco, and Spain.

My professional journey began in 1998 in financial services, where I spent over a decade working my way up from an analyst to a top-ranking, nationally recognized business development officer at major banks like J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America, and M&T Bank. Despite this success, something was missing. I always felt a calling to do something more, something that would honor what my parents did for me. So, after 15 years in financial services, I made a formal career pivot to the non-profit field, specifically in education.

The shift was not easy. I began by working on an executive MBA at Columbia Business School while working full-time, then followed it up with an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School focused on education policy. My time in the private sector, combined with what I learned during my two master’s programs, crystallized my purpose: to use my skills in strategic planning, business development, and financial management to lead organizations through change, ultimately advancing their work to create greater equity in underserved communities.

Since making this career change, I have led various turnarounds, including at the Oakland Technology Exchange West and the Adams Street Foundation, both of which I helped stabilize and grow. Today, I am the Executive Director of the Reading Team in Harlem, where I continue to empower youth through literacy, creating opportunities for their economic mobility. Outside of my professional endeavors, I am an avid runner, having completed the New York City Marathon six times.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to where I am today has been anything but smooth. I have faced academic challenges, career setbacks, and personal traumas that could have easily derailed me. One of the most significant challenges was a violent incident during my freshman year of college, which left me physically and emotionally scarred. While home on Thanksgiving break, I was mugged three blocks from my home. During the process, I was stabbed in my upper back, puncturing my lung and narrowly missing my heart by mere millimeters.

That experience could have led me down a very different path, but instead, it became a catalyst for change. I promised myself that if I survived, I would dedicate my life to serving others. This promise has guided all my major decisions since.

Professionally, transitioning from the for-profit to the non-profit sector presented its own set of challenges. I had to build new networks and prove myself in a completely different field. Each role came with its own obstacles, whether it was securing funding for a struggling organization or leading a team through a significant transition. But these challenges have also been opportunities for growth, pushing me to learn and adapt quickly.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Reading Team, Inc.?
Currently, I serve as the Executive Director of the Reading Team, a Harlem-based non-profit dedicated to improving literacy rates among children from underserved New York City neighborhoods. The Reading Team provides evidence-based literacy instruction to children in Pre-K through 5th grade, helping them develop the foundational skills they need to succeed in school and beyond.

What sets the Reading Team apart is our commitment to the community we serve. We are deeply embedded in Harlem, and our programs are designed to meet the specific needs of our students and their families. I am incredibly proud of the work we do, particularly our ability to provide free, intensive literacy coaching to children who might otherwise fall through the cracks in the community where I grew up.

What I want readers to know about the Reading Team is that we are more than just a literacy program. We are a lifeline for many families, offering not only educational support but also a sense of community and hope. Our work is about giving children the tools they need to break the cycle of poverty and achieve their full potential.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking has been a constant theme in my life, both personally and professionally. I have taken risks that many might consider too bold, like leaving a well-paying, stable career in finance to enter the non-profit world without a clear roadmap. One of the most significant risks was moving from New York to Oakland to lead the turnaround of Oakland Technology Exchange West. I had no professional network in the area, no experience in the organization’s industry, and yet I knew it was the right move for me. Within six months, I had secured over $2 million in new funding and set the organization on a path to sustainability.

To me, risk is about stepping out of your comfort zone and trusting in your abilities to navigate uncertainty. It is not about being reckless but rather about being strategic and purposeful in your decisions. I believe that taking risks is essential for growth, both for individuals and organizations. Without risk, there is no reward, and without stepping into the unknown, there is no progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: readingteam.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readingteamnyc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thereadingteam/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cdarris76/
• Twitter: https://mobile.x.com/TheReadingTeam
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheReadingTeamNYC
• Other: https://www.charondarris.com/