Charles was sworn into the Maryland State Senate on January 8, 2020, after serving as an elected delegate representing District 44B beginning in January 2015. Charles served on the House's Judiciary Committee and the Judiciary's Civil Law & Procedure and Criminal Justice subcommittees. He is a member of the Baltimore County Delegation where he serves on the Public Safety Committee, and is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus.
Charles was born and grew up in Baltimore City, Maryland. He is married to Myra and they have three daughters. He and his family reside in Catonsville, Maryland. Charles matriculated at and received his Juris Doctor and Masters of Policy Sciences from the University of Maryland School of Law and University of Maryland Baltimore County, respectively. Charles also matriculated and received his Bachelor’s degree with departmental honors from Johns Hopkins University and his A-course diploma from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.
Professionally, Charles is a member of the American Bar Association, Maryland State Bar Association, and Baltimore County Bar Association and admitted to practice before Maryland and District of Columbia Courts and the United States Supreme Court.
Charles is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the national leadership honor society Omicron Delta Kappa, Inc., and the American Constitution Society. Charles also served on the Chesapeake Executive Council Citizens Advisory Committee, the Maryland Consumer Council, and the Maryland Red Line Citizens' Advisory Council. As a result of his service to the community, Charles has received numerous awards acknowledging his service; including Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition's Legislator (2017), the Daily Record’s Leadership in Law (2012), the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law’s Public Service Award (2000) and Johns Hopkins University’s Student Excellence Award for Leadership and Service (1996).
Charles is employed with the Columbia, Maryland based affordable housing organization as Assistant General Counsel. Charles supports the company’s mission to create opportunities for low- and moderate-income people through affordable housing in diverse, thriving communities. Charles has worked within the organization’s Legal Department since 2001.