On December 7, 2024, as her name echoed through the Convocation Center at the University of North Georgia, Charlotte Wanjiku Sims stood tall—draped in academic regalia, crowned with cum laude honors, and carrying a story far richer than the diploma in her hand. Behind her confident stride to the podium as the university’s student commencement speaker was a deeper legacy: one woven through the steady hands of Kenyan grandparents, the tireless work ethic of a Kenyan-born mother, and the quiet determination of a young woman raised between cultures.
Charlotte’s journey wasn’t just about academic success. It was a journey of belonging—of how a diasporic identity, when rooted deeply in heritage, can become a launchpad toward a life of purpose.
Raised by Legacy: A Diasporic Childhood Anchored in Kenyan Wisdom
Charlotte was born in the United States to Daniel and Joan Sims, but her story reaches back across the Atlantic to a lineage shaped by discipline, resilience, and faith. Her mother, Joan, an accounting manager and former teacher originally from Kenya, instilled in her a lifelong respect for education and excellence. But it was her maternal grandparents—Nahashon and Damaris Kaniaru—who breathed Kenya into her daily life. Through stories, proverbs, and a quiet insistence on remembering where she came from, they made sure Kenya was not an abstract origin but a living part of Charlotte’s worldview.
One lesson stood out and later anchored her commencement speech: “There is no short path to greatness, and the road to success has no shortage of sharp stones or potholes.” This was more than a metaphor—it was a philosophy she lived. It was Kenyan wisdom, passed down through oral tradition, that reminded her that struggle wasn’t a detour—it was the road.
Charting a Global Course: Business, Language, and Belonging
At the University of North Georgia, Charlotte pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration and paired it with a minor in Korean. It was a challenging path—demanding late nights, strategic planning, and linguistic acrobatics. But Charlotte wasn’t just earning credentials. She was building a vision for a global future that bridged continents.
Business gave her the tools of economic empowerment, and Korean language studies opened a new cultural window—one that reshaped her aspirations. Her fascination with Korean culture, language, and education inspired her to pursue a Fulbright grant to teach English in South Korea.
“Your roots aren’t anchors. They’re wings. And with them, you don’t just carry the past—you carry the power to shape the future.”
For many, this might seem like a pivot. But for Charlotte, it was a continuation. Just as her heritage gave her the tools to thrive in America, she saw herself as a connector—someone who
could bridge African and Asian worlds, bringing cultural understanding, mentorship, and innovation across borders.
Commencement with a Conscience: A Kenyan Voice on an American Stage
When Charlotte addressed her graduating class as the student speaker, she didn’t deliver a speech of clichés. Her words came from somewhere deeper—from the part of her shaped by grandparents who had endured, by a mother who had modeled grit, and by a culture that knew the power of communal support.
“Hold those days with pride,” she said, referring to moments of struggle. “They are a sign of your resilience.” It was a message rooted in the Kenyan spirit of Harambee—pulling together as a community, refusing to let hardship define worth, and recognizing the invisible hands that help shape every success.
Her tribute to mentors, family, and friends wasn’t performative. It was principle. Charlotte understood that no one climbs alone—and in acknowledging her network, she was lifting a lesson she’d learned her whole life: gratitude is power.
The Chartalle Foundation: Giving Back Across Borders
For Charlotte, belonging doesn’t stop at personal identity—it extends into action. Through her connection to the Chartalle Foundation, she has helped create tangible impact in Kenya. In July 2024, the foundation partnered with the Rotary Club of Mombasa and business leaders to support 28 high school candidates preparing for their national exams. These students received meals, mentorship, and encouragement—wrapped in a celebration of Kenyan joy, complete with dance, song, and storytelling.
While Charlotte’s exact operational role isn’t detailed, her visible association with Chartalle signals a clear intention: to ensure her success abroad ripples back home. The foundation’s work mirrors her values—uplifting youth, bridging opportunity gaps, and keeping cultural connection alive through collective effort.
More Than a Degree: The Road Ahead
Charlotte’s cum laude graduation is a milestone—but it’s far from a finish line. Her next destination may be South Korea, but her compass remains deeply Kenyan. Whether she’s teaching in Asia, building business bridges, or mentoring young scholars back home, she carries with her a quiet strength forged in two worlds.
Her journey reveals something vital for every member of the diaspora: your heritage is not something you grow out of—it’s something you grow from. It’s the soil beneath your feet, no matter where you stand.
Charlotte Wanjiku Sims is not just a scholar or aspiring global educator. She is a keeper of legacy, a builder of bridges, and a reminder that identity is not just memory—it is momentum.
“Your roots aren’t anchors. They’re wings. And with them, you don’t just carry the past—you carry the power to shape the future.”
