Charles Richard Stith facts for kids

Charles R. Stith (born in 1949) is an American businessman, diplomat, and author. He has dedicated his career to improving economic opportunities and strengthening relationships, especially in Africa.

Stith currently leads The Pula Group, LLC. This company invests in important projects across Africa. He also helps guide the African Presidential Leadership Center in Johannesburg. This group works on developing leaders and understanding economic changes in Africa. He also started and used to direct the African Presidential Center at Boston University.

Serving as an Ambassador

In September 1998, Charles Stith became the United States Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania. An ambassador is a country's official representative in another nation. He served during a difficult time after the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam was bombed in August 1998.

Leading Through Challenges

Ambassador Stith showed strong leadership after the bombing. He helped the Embassy become stable again. He also set a new example for how U.S. embassies could help promote trade and investment in Africa. Stith worked closely with the Tanzanian government. His efforts helped Tanzania become one of the first African countries to receive debt relief. This program, called the Heavily-Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), helps countries reduce their large debts.

Working for Economic Fairness

After his time as Ambassador, Stith taught about Africa and globalization at Boston University. He retired from the university in 2015. He has also advised the U.S. Trade Representative. He is a member of important groups like the Council on Foreign Relations.

Creating Opportunities for All

Charles Stith founded and led the Organization for a New Equality (ONE). This group worked to create more economic chances for minorities and women. During his time at ONE, he helped arrange a major agreement. This agreement committed banks in Boston to lend $500 million. This money was for mortgages and business loans in communities with lower incomes and minority populations.

He also helped shape new rules for the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). This act encourages banks to meet the credit needs of the communities where they operate. These new rules have led to nearly $2 trillion in loans and investments for communities of color and those with lower incomes.

Early Career and Other Contributions

Before leading ONE, Stith was the Senior Minister at the Union United Methodist Church in Boston. In 1983, he helped the church negotiate an agreement with the Boston Globe newspaper. This agreement focused on hiring minority employees and supporting minority-owned businesses.

He has also served on various boards and committees. These include the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He has taught at Boston College and Harvard Divinity School. He has received honorary doctorates from several universities for his important work.

Author and Expert

Ambassador Stith is the author of books like For Such a Time as This: African Leadership Challenges and Political Religion. He is also the Senior Editor of the annual African Leaders State of Africa Report. His articles have appeared in many major newspapers and magazines.

Besides his work as a leader, he enjoys collecting African and African American art. He is also known as a leading expert on current political and economic trends in Africa.

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