Florida A&M University (FAMU) student Jonathan Charles is gaining national attention for his work in journalism. Charles, a third-year student from Broward County, Florida, has had his reporting published by KFF Health News and distributed nationally by CBS News.
KFF, formerly known as The Kaiser Family Foundation, is recognized as a leading health policy organization in the United States and serves as an independent source of information on national health issues.
Charles began his journey at FAMU with an interest in TV production and participated on the university’s track & field team. He became involved with the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC), working as a digital media specialist and contributing to student publications such as Journey Magazine, The FAMUAN, and 90.5—the university’s student-operated radio station.
“Working in those spaces helped me understand the industry and sharpen my skills,” Charles said. “Every environment pushed me to grow in a different direction.”
His progress led to selection for the inaugural MIT Knight Science Journalism HBCU Fellowship. During this fellowship, he developed a story with KFF Health News about mold growth in homes after natural disasters. Within days of publication, CBS News picked up the story for national distribution.
“When I found out CBS was running the story, my mind was blown,” Charles said. “I literally Googled my name and saw it pop up. That moment made me feel like I’d found my niche.”
Professor Clarence Fowler of SJGC commented on Charles’ development: “Jonathan’s story being picked up by CBS is exciting to see,” Fowler said. “I’ve watched his growth through visual storytelling and Journey Magazine. His news judgement and ability to communicate ideas clearly in his work have really developed during his time at FAMU.”
Fowler also noted Charles’ dedication: “When he’s locked into a story, he puts everything into it,” Fowler said. “He goes the extra mile to separate his work from what the average student might produce, and you can see that not only in his personal projects but also during his time as a digital content creator for the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.”
Outside traditional reporting roles, Charles works on photography and videography projects while preparing to launch a personal portfolio website.
Zoe Hightower, who graduated from FAMU SJGC in 2024 and mentors Charles, observed: “When I first met Jonathan, he was just a very curious individual trying to share stories,” Hightower said. “Now he’s stretched himself across written journalism, visual storytelling, and content creation. He doesn’t limit himself to one medium, and that’s what makes him stand out.”
Hightower described Charles’ creative process as organized chaos: “He refines all these ideas in his head into something authentic and accurate,” she said. “I love watching him create… he always brings it together in a way that captures people on both local and national levels.”
Charles plans to graduate in Fall 2026. He intends to pursue internships for further experience and may seek an advanced degree after graduation.
He expressed interest in combining science with storytelling: “He sees journalism as a tool to illuminate overlooked issues and make complex ideas feel human.”
