Charlie Nelms had audaciously big dreams. Growing up black in the Deep South in the 1950s and 1960s, working in cotton fields, and living in poverty, Nelms dared to dream that he could do more with his life than work for white plantation owners sun-up to sun-down. Inspired by his parents, who first dared to dream that they could own their own land and have the right to vote, Nelms chose education as his weapon of choice for fighting racism and inequality. With hard work, determination, and the critical assistance of mentors who counseled him along the way, he found his way from the cotton fields of Arkansas to university leadership roles. Becoming the youngest and the first African American chancellor of a predominately white institution in Indiana, he faced tectonic changes in higher education during those ensuing decades of globalization, growing economic disparity, and political divisiveness. From Cotton Fields to University Leadershipis an uplifting story about the power of education, the impact of community and mentorship, and the importance of dreaming big.

From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie, A Memoir (Well House Books)

Biographies & Memoirs

Nelms, Charlie

Community & Culture

Well House Books

Charlie Nelms had audaciously big dreams. Growing up black in the Deep South in the 1950s and 1960s, working in cotton fields, and living in poverty, Nelms dared to dream that he could do more with his life than work for white plantation owners sun-up to sun-down. Inspired by his parents, who first dared to dream that they could own their own land and have the right to vote, Nelms chose education as his weapon of choice for fighting racism and inequality.With hard work, determination, and the critical assistance of mentors who counseled him along the way, he found his way from the cotton fields of Arkansas to university leadership roles. Becoming the youngest and the first African American chancellor of a predominately white institution in Indiana, he faced tectonic changes in higher education during those ensuing decades of globalization, growing economic disparity, and political divisiveness. From Cotton Fields to University Leadership is an uplifting story about the power of education, the impact of community and mentorship, and the importance of dreaming big.

From a national leader in higher education diversity and equity comes a timely collection of compelling reflections on giving, leading, changing, and advancing. Charlie Nelms grew up as one of 11 children in the Arkansas Delta with parents who believed in education, voting, and land ownership. His parents never had the opportunity to graduate high school, but their faith in the power of education never wavered. They told Charlie and his siblings that they could grow up to be anything they wanted. The reality of apartheid-style racism said otherwise. Segregated schools and "Whites Only" jobs, hotels, restaurants, waiting rooms, restrooms, and water fountains were as common as air. While working in the cotton fields as a young boy, Charlie dreamt of a better life. Due to the deliberate racism of the time, he was among the countless Blacks who received inadequate college preparation. Despite low scores on standardized tests, Charlie graduated from an Historically Black College and University in three years and served as student government president. He went "up North" to earn his master's in College Student Personnel and Higher Education and his doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University. Charlie was among the first Blacks appointed chancellor of a predominately white university; a university chancellor in Indiana, Michigan, and North Carolina; and vice president of the IU system. He has more than 40 years of experience and leadership in student access, retention, and graduation; institutional effectiveness; and strategic planning. His blogs on these and many other issues, ranging from the personal to the political, have been widely read on the Huffington Post, HBCU Lifestyles, and other influential websites. Charlie's authentic passion for positive social change has made him a highly-sought speaker around the world. He has brought messages of hope and opportunity by sharing his personal story and by mentoring untold numbers of students and faculty, many of whom have gone on to serve as college presidents. In Having My Say: Reflections of a Black Baby Boomer, Charlie shares invaluable insights gleaned from his leadership journey that has taken him from the cotton fields to university board rooms and beyond. His memoir, All Eyes on Charlie, will be published by Indiana University Press.

Having My Say: Reflections of a Black Baby Boomer

Professionals & Academics

Independently published

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Books by Nelms, Charlie

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Nelms, Charlie. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie, A Memoir (Well House Books)

From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie, A Memoir (Well House Books)

Having My Say: Reflections of a Black Baby Boomer