About Charlie Nelms

Charlie Nelms, a native of the Arkansas Delta, has devoted his life to equalizing opportunities for disenfranchised peoples. He is currently a president in residence with the United Negro College Fund and a senior consultant for the Association of Governing Boards, specializing in HBCU governance and leadership, as well as retired Chancellor, North Carolina Central University, and IU Vice President for Institutional Development and Student Affairs Emeritus. In 2019, Charlie was awarded an honorary doctorate from Indiana University. Royalties from his book From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie, A Memoir help fund scholarships to historically Black colleges and universities across the nation.
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Diversity

Where Do We Go From Here?

2024 MLK Breakfast Speech

Bring It On! – November 27, 2023: Countering the Far Right’s Efforts to Whitewash African American History

Diversity

Black Culture Centers are More than Bricks & Mortar!

Talk is Cheap!!

Diversity

UNCF Summit for Black Higher Education: Hit the Target!

Diversity

“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Where Do We Go from Here?.”

We Must Speak Out!!

“Vote, or lose your right to complain about the world’s circumstances.”

Diversity

Hold Fast to Dreams: Parting Words from Dr. Charlie Nelms

Paying it forward: IU’s longstanding connection to an organization rooted in diversity, leadership

Diversity

Celebrating Black History: Now is the Time for Courageous Conversations and Bold Action

Diversity

Choosing an Executive Leadership Coach: What Matters

Please Get Vaccinated! – December 12,2022

Bring It On! – November 7, 2022: Vote in the 2022 Mid-term Elections with Dr. Charlie Nelms

Diversity

Five Reasons Why I Vote, and You Should Too

Diversity

From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie

Diversity

Ten Strategies for a Successful Presidential Transition & Presidency

Diversity

When Prior Presidents Stick Around Campus

Diversity

From the Margins to the Center: The Legacy of Dr. William E. Cox

Diversity

Why I am Optimistic about the Future of HBCUs

Diversity

Trustees Must be Held Accountable for Student Success

Diversity

Keeping HBCUs Accountable to Their Mission, Students, and Communities

Diversity

Dear Fellow HBCU Graduates

Paving the Way

Author Talk with Dr. Charlie Nelms and Eric Brotheridge

Diversity

Candle-Lighting Time: Celebrating Black History Month Differently

Book Signing & Talk: Charlie Nelms, “From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: A Memoir”

Office Hours with John Gardner
Episode 9 – Charlie Nelms

Diversity

An Open Letter to HBCUs: Do Not Let This Moment Pass Us By

Diversity

Five Things Blacks Must Do to Keep Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Dream from Becoming a Nightmare

Diversity

Giving the Gift of Education

Diversity

Prerequisites for Effective Presidential Searches

Diversity

Lessons from My Journey

Diversity

DEI is More than an Acronym!

Diversity
An Open Letter to Trustees of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Diversity
Six Things HBCUs Can Do to Increase Alumni Philanthropic Support

WRTV: IU Vice President Emeritus on COVID-19 vaccinations: ‘The hesitancy is real’

Nurturing the Next Generation of Historically Black College and University Leaders

Dr. Nelms — Teaching in STEM 2021

WCTV: Higher education leader, author, speaker, & activist, Dr. Charlie Nelms discusses his attitude of gratitude during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diversity
Why I Plan to Take the COVID Vaccine and You Should Too


Navigating the COVID-19 Landscape:
Strategies for Mature Citizens

Charlie’s Lecture at University of Michigan, Flint

Inaugural Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series

Transcript of Charlie’s lecture:

Collaborating for Success: The Role of Urban Universities, Foundations & Corporations in Community Revitalization

Chancellor’s Distinguished Lecture Series
University of Michigan — Flint, October 19, 2020

Charlie Nelms Named to Inaugural Board of The Doug Williams Center for the Study of Race and Politics in Sports

The Doug Williams Center for the Study of Race and Politics in Sports will engage domestic and global conversations on race and politics in sports aimed at helping to identify, analyze, and develop feasible solutions. The Center will leverage the expertise of an advisory board that will include academic leaders, athletes, politicians, and activists.
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Navigating the COVID-19 Landscape:
Strategies for Mature Citizens

by Charlie Nelms
Like many mature and retired citizens, a year ago I was making plans for using some of the funds I had squirreled away for visiting places on my bucket list, and for escaping the predictably cold winters in the Midwest where I live. Little did I know that my plans would not only be put on hold, but that they might be completely abandoned, due to the devastating effects of the coronavirus sweeping the world. While listening to health experts, several things quickly became clear.
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New Book Club Chooses Nelms Book as Inaugural Title

The Millennium Leadership Initiative has chosen Charlie’s From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie – A Memoir as the first book in their new Book Club.
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Keynote Speech, NAACP Corvallis-Albany Oregon Branch virtual Freedom Fund celebration

Honoring John Lewis

It’s not Enough to Celebrate

Say Their Names

Charlie Nelms speaking at the George Floyd Rally at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana

Speaker and Story Teller

A captivating orator, Charlie possesses the ability to connect with audiences from all walks of life. Through his storytelling, he helps audiences to see beyond what is, so they can imagine what is possible when transcending their own immediate interests.

What can you expect from a Charlie Nelms speech?

A thought-provoking, passionately delivered speech on an array of contemporary topics, for audiences that transcend generational boundaries, socio-economic status, ethnicity or professional affiliations. As a university leader who has devoted his life to working to level the playing field for historically disenfranchised people, Charlie challenges his audiences to become more assertive agents of change for excellence, equity and inclusion in all dimensions of life.
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Books by Charlie Nelms


From Cotton Fields to University Leadership: All Eyes on Charlie
“Charlie Nelms tells his riveting story from share croppers’ son in rural Arkansas to university president. His memoir is a testament to the power of aspiration, character and education to overcome poverty and adversity. “
— Michael L. Lomax,
President & CEO, United Negro College Fund (UNCF)


Having My Say: Reflections of a Black Baby Boomer
From a national leader in higher education diversity and equity comes a timely collection of compelling reflections on giving, leading, changing, and advancing.


Charlie on Twitter

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Read Charlie’s article in

Strengthening Governance at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Follow Charlie on Twitter