Charles Richard Stith facts for kids

Charles R. Stith was born on August 29, 1949. He is an American who has had many important jobs. He is a businessman, a diplomat, a teacher, and an author.

Today, Mr. Stith is the Chairman of The Pula Group, LLC. This company invests in important projects in Africa. He also helps lead the African Presidential Leadership Center. This group works on developing leaders and understanding what is happening in Africa.

Before this, Mr. Stith started and led the African Presidential Center at Boston University.

Serving as an Ambassador

In September 1998, Charles Stith became the Ambassador for the United States in Tanzania. An ambassador is a top diplomat who represents their country in another nation. He presented his official papers, called a "letter of credence," to the government of Tanzania.

He served as Ambassador during a difficult time. In August 1998, the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam was bombed. Mr. Stith showed strong leadership after this event. He helped the Embassy become stable again. He also set a new example for how U.S. embassies could help American businesses invest in Africa.

Helping Countries with Debt

As Ambassador, Mr. Stith worked with the government of Tanzania. He helped them get debt relief through a program called the Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC). This program helps countries that owe a lot of money get some of their debt canceled. Tanzania was one of the first countries in Africa to get this help.

After His Time as Ambassador

After being an Ambassador, Mr. Stith became a teacher at Boston University. He taught a class about Africa and how it connects to the rest of the world. He retired from Boston University in 2015.

He has also been part of important groups like the Advisory Committee of the U.S. Trade Representative. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Council of American Ambassadors. These groups are made up of people who are experts in international relations and diplomacy.

Books and Articles

Mr. Stith has written several books. One of his books is called For Such a Time as This: African Leadership Challenges. He also wrote Political Religion.

He is also the main editor for the yearly African Leaders State of Africa Report. He has written many articles for well-known newspapers and magazines. These include the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and Boston Globe.

Education and Early Career

Charles Stith went to Baker University. He also studied at the Interdenominational Theological Center's Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta. He earned another degree from Harvard University Divinity School.

He started an organization called the Organization for a New Equality (ONE). This group worked to create more economic chances for minority groups and women.

Making a Difference in Communities

While at ONE, Mr. Stith helped create an important agreement. This agreement made banks in Boston promise to lend $500 million. This money was for home and business loans in communities with lower incomes and minority groups in Massachusetts. This was the first agreement of its kind in the country.

Later, he helped create new rules for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This law encourages banks to invest in the communities where they operate. Thanks to these rules, nearly $2 trillion has been provided for communities that needed it.

Church Leadership and Other Roles

Before leading ONE, Mr. Stith was the Senior Minister at the Union United Methodist Church in Boston. In 1983, he helped the Boston Globe newspaper agree to hire more minority workers. This was the first time a major newspaper made such an agreement with an outside group.

He was also appointed to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. This group works to protect religious freedom around the world. He has also taught at Boston College and Harvard Divinity School.

Mr. Stith has received special honorary doctorates from several universities. These include the University of South Carolina and Baker University.

Hobbies and Interests

Besides his work as a leader in business and politics, Charles Stith loves art. He collects African and African American art. He is also known as an expert on what is happening with politics and money in Africa today.

Selected Publications

• Stith, Charles (Editor); For Such A Time as This: African Leadership Challenges; APARC Press, 2008
• Stith, Charles; Political Religion; Abingdon Press, 1995
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2012 (APC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2011 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2010 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2009 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2008 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2007 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2006 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2005 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2004 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2003 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles (Senior Editor), The State of Africa Report 2002 (APARC)
• Stith, Charles, “For Africa, Energy is Destiny”, Africa Business Magazine, August/September 2012
• Stith, Charles, “Dark Continent sees light”, Boston Herald, January 2012
• Stith, Charles, “The Arab Spring: How to Contain Spontaneous Social Combustion”, African Business Magazine, May 2011
• Stith, Charles, "The Youth Will Lead the Twitterlution", Sunday Times (South Africa) March 20, 2011
• Stith, Charles, “Foreign Aid Sows Hope for Democracy,” Boston Globe, February 11, 2008