Meet Antoinette J. Charles
Antoinette Jasmine Charles is a daughter, aspiring physician, kingdom leader, and public servant. She is a first-generation Haitian American born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. Antoinette grew up in a tight-knit community with her parents, Altagrace Jean Francois and Josue Charles, and brother, Richard Charles. At times Antoinette and her family faced financial challenges because her father’s mental illnesses disabled him to the point that he could not differentiate between his delusions and reality. Her mother became the sole provider, so she pursued nursing school to become a licensed practical nurse. After her mother graduated from nursing school, they moved to Georgia because she received a better job opportunity.
In Georgia, Antoinette and her family experienced immense challenges. They lived paycheck-to-paycheck and sometimes could not afford all the bills. Despite immense hardships such as experiencing homelessness twice, Antoinette never allowed these circumstances to deter her. She graduated second in her class from DeKalb Early College Academy at the age of 16 and was the first person to earn the Gates Millennium Scholarship.
A product of an immigrant family, Antoinette Charles studied neuroscience with a minor in chemistry at Georgia State University. She dedicated her undergraduate career to serving underprivileged communities, leadership, and satisfying her intellectual curiosity through research. Antoinette led medical mission trips to Honduras and Nicaragua by raising over $100,000, established initiatives to raise awareness for the homeless community, and was the president of one of the most funded STEM organizations on campus. Antoinette researched in a molecular neuroscience laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Angela Mabb. She became a published co-author in a research journal, awarded scholarships and grants, and traveled the country to present my findings at ten local, national, and international research conferences. All her efforts at GSU in the community and academic realm earned her Outstanding Student of the Year for 2019.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude (a perfect 4.0) with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Georgia State University, she joined the Office of the Clinical Director at the National Institute of Mental Health as a Postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Trainee. Antoinette was selected as a National Institute of Health Academy Fellow to study health disparities in conjunction with her mental health research.
Currently, Antoinette attends Duke School of Medicine in pursuit her lifelong dream of becoming a physician. She continues to commit her spare time to help people discover their God-given gifts, uplifting her community, and enjoying her time off by traveling or seeking new adventures with her loved ones. Join Antoinette J. Charles on her journey of manifesting her heaven on earth, and she will inspire you to pursue yours.