WASHINGTON – Howard University alumna Charmion N. Kinder has been appointed as global public relations director of Global Citizen, an international advocacy organization. Global Citizen, which is a movement of engaged citizens who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty, has had the support of celebrity ambassadors and Kinder will be reaching a global stage, further advancing the image and voice of the organization.

“I am humbled and honored with the opportunity to hold space in the world as global director of public relations for an organization like Global Citizen. I also view operating in this function as a huge responsibility,” says Kinder. “Through my role at Global Citizen, I intend to help move as many people to action as possible. This year, we are embarking upon a 'Global Goal Live: The Possible Dream,' campaign, in partnership with Teneo, to get the world back on track to achieve the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.”

Kinder will be directing media relations for the international initiative, spanning across locations including: Dubai, UAE; Seoul, South Korea; New York, New York; and Lagos, Nigeria; with events in to-be-announced in cities in Latin America and Europe.

As a student at the Cathy Hughes School of Communications, Kinder was undecided regarding her future career path. She started as a film major and quickly learned that she was a more skilled writer than a film producer. So, she began to channel her talents towards a career in public relations.

“I did not expect to be here after getting my degree [from Howard],” says Kinder, who earned her degree in public relations and fashion merchandising in 2003. “Dr. Rochelle Ford, Dr. Pettus-Hargrove, Dr. Gregory Carr and Dr. Michael Frazier – may God rest his soul in peace – were pivotal in shaping what would later become a solid public relations career in social impact, equity and inclusion, and global communications.”

“I chose public relations fairly late. I switched from film production to journalism during the first semester of my junior year. However, once I made the change, I never looked back,” says Kinder.

She was fascinated by the fact that “every brand, company, initiative, and institution in the world leveraged strategic messaging and planning to influence the thoughts of others.”

Kinder managed to consistently be employed by the right people. “When I was a student at Howard University, we were trained to be leaders for America and the global community. Then, during my service to the Obama Administration – specifically as a press aide to First Lady Michelle Obama – I had the honor of executing that mission in real time.”

Through her Howard experience, including membership in Alpha Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kinder learned operationalized leadership, which expanded her strides toward excellence and cemented her unwavering commitment to service and truth, the motto of her alma mater.

In reflection of her time at Howard, Kinder was inspired by the student body to become a better version of herself. 

“During any given year, there are more than 6,000 undergraduate students of African descent  – who are filled with light, love, promise, and vision – that matriculate through Howard University to acquire the expertise they need to execute,” says Kinder. “Our ability to shape this world for good is unstoppable and it’s been that way since 1867. In any room I walk in, I carry the legacy, mission, and spirit of Howard University with me. This mindset has been my encouragement over the course of my entire professional journey.”

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(Headshot provided by Charmion N. Kinder)

About Global Citizen:

Global Citizen engages with more than 25 million advocates and activists each month. Most of them are millennials, who are using their collective voice to end extreme poverty by 2030. Through the platform, Global Citizens learn about the systemic causes of extreme poverty, take action on those issues, and earn rewards for their actions — as part of a global community committed to driving lasting change. They can redeem those awards to attend Global Citizen events and experiences that take place all over the world. To date, the actions by Global Citizen's community around the world, along with their high-level advocacy efforts and work with partners, has resulted in $48.5 billion in commitments and policy announcements from leaders that have impacted the lives of 880 million people living in extreme poverty. Global Goal Live: The Possible Dream is a year-long campaign, in partnership with Teneo, to get the world back on track to achieve the United Nations Global Goals – a roadmap to end extreme poverty, tackle climate change, and reduce inequality by 2030, as agreed to by all 193-member states of the United Nations in 2015. To learn more, visit globalcitizen.org/en/2020/.

About Howard University:

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 70 Fulbright Scholars. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit howard.edu.

Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu