Thank You For Being Such A Vital Part Of Our Team, Charbel. We Look Forward To Sharing More About You So Others Can Get To Know You Better!
Tell us a bit about your backstory and what led you down your current life path.
I am originally from Lome, Togo, a country in West Africa. I have been living in the U.S. for 19 years. From a young age, I knew I wanted to help people and those who were not in a position to help themselves. I started getting involved with non-profits from a young age, first through volunteering then, eventually working with them when I got older. In High School, I joined the pre-law academy at my school because I wanted to learn how to best advocate for people. In college, I decided to major in Psychology with a minor in Social Work because I became interested in human behavior and psyche.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to work with and help people. I did not know what capacity I would be working in to achieve this goal, but I was open to the opportunity to learn and grow in the areas I needed to help me accomplish this goal. Witnessing the damaging effects that poverty and lack of resources can have on a person’s growth and trajectory. I wanted to help people get the help they need, help them know and realize their potential, and know that most things are possible when you put yourself to it.
What is one thing you are most proud of achieving in your life?
One of my proudest achievements was getting one of my poems published in a magazine. This was the first time I let people publicly read my work, and it got accepted into a publication. Having my poem published inspired me to keep sharing my work with the public. I did not know so many people could resonate with or feel seen because of my poem until I released it. The experience was a bit nerve-wracking and exposing. I was putting my work out there for people to critique and dissect it. In the end, I’m glad that I did it.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
My older sister played a major role in how far I got academically. There were several pivotal times in my life when her influence pivoted me in the right direction, whether it was helping me in middle school with solving algebraic expressions or lending me a hand in my college admission essays during my senior year of high school. Her being the first out of four sisters to navigate adulthood, and go through high school and college taught me a lot about what to expect, and how to seek resources and help when it is needed. She also taught me what mistakes I should avoid based on her past mistakes. I learned a lot from her, and she continues to inspire me to this day.
What do you enjoy most about teaching/tutoring?
What I most enjoy about tutoring is seeing the triumph and joy on student’s faces when they finally understand a topic or subject they have been struggling with for a while. Having difficulties with certain topics in school is something I also experienced throughout my academic journey. I know the relief that comes when subjects and concepts start making sense, especially when what you are stuck on is preventing you from moving on to other topics. I also am a strong believer that struggling with something builds resilience. It is important not to give up on a subject when it is not coming easy to you. I believe if you keep at it, and with the right help, almost anything is possible.
What do you like to do in your free time?
During my free time, I love watching streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube.I recently started watching different anime shows. I also like listening to music and different educational and entertainment podcasts. When it is warmer, I like gardening and experimenting with different plants and gardening techniques. I started an Etsy shop in 2023 that I am working on growing. I have been spending time learning how to get user engagement and creating graphics for my shop on Canva and Adobe.
Tell me about an amazing trip you took. Where did you go and what did you enjoy most?
The most amazing and life-changing trip I took was a solo trip I did in 2023 to the Blue Mountains in Jamaica. This was my second solo trip, but my first one internationally. I loved the trip so much that I seriously considered relocating to Jamaica. I learned so much about myself during the trip and I was tested on how well I respond under stress and pressure. The island was very beautiful, and the people were so nice and welcoming. What I enjoyed most about my trip was surrounded by so much nature, fresh air, and wildlife.
Is there something exciting you are working on now? What is it and why did you choose to start it?
In 2023, I decided to launch my handmade jewelry business on Etsy. With a deep love for both jewelry and artistic creation, I decided to merge these passions into crafting unique pieces. My goal is to bring out the beauty in people, accentuating their natural allure through the art of jewelry. Beyond the joy of creating, I saw this venture as an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and all its challenges. The journey has been an exciting and creative one, pushing me beyond my comfort zone.
Please share your favorite Life Lesson quote. How is it relevant to your life?
“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet” – Anne Frank
This is one of my favorite motivational quotes. This quote sustained me through some of the most challenging moments in my life. It served as a constant reminder that circumstances are temporary, and improvement comes with time. It instilled hope in me, and even today, it remains a go-to source of inspiration when I need a lift. I love the message, and I think it reminds us that great things are still ahead and not to dwell on things we cannot change. Like Dory said in Finding Nemo: “Just keep swimming”.
The road to success is difficult and requires tremendous dedication. What advice would you give to a young person who aspires to follow in your footsteps and emulate your success?
An advice that I would give to a young person who aspires to follow in my footsteps and emulate my success would be to follow your passions and interests. We all have one life to live, we should spend that time doing things that bring us joy and push us to our definition of success. Living your life based on someone else’s expectations and dreams is not living, and it can take a toll on your spirit the more time you spend not living in your truth. Spend time getting to know yourself. Find out what you want from your life and what brings you joy, and surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed and support you in your endeavors, even if they do not fully understand it.
