Charles L. Chatmon is a distinctive voice in literature, known for his poetry that blends stark sensitivity with a unique style. His works have been featured in publications such as California Crusader News, L.A. Wave Newspaper, L.A. Watts Times, Consciousness Magazine, and Empire Beat Magazine.
Beyond his writing, Charles has played a vital role in shaping the literary community. As the former executive director of the Los Angeles Black Book Expo, he helped foster a space for authors and readers to connect. He also contributed to the creation of key literary events, including the Authors Pavilion at the inaugural Leimert Park Book Fair, the Literary Village for the African Marketplace, and the Literacy Awareness program for Community Day in Los Angeles.
Charles has shared his expertise through writing workshops at the African American Museum and Library in Oakland and the AC Bilbrew Library in Los Angeles. He has also participated as a panelist at the West Coast Black Writers Festival and UCLA Bruins Speaker Series, a guest speaker at the California Writers Collective Empowerment Luncheon in Emeryville, and a featured author in the African American Museum and Library in Oakland's Meet the Authors program. His commitment to literacy extends to community events and Career Days in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. He has also served as a guest moderator for an Authors Spotlight event at Barnes & Noble at The Grove.
A graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, with a degree in English, Charles remains dedicated to literature and education. A two-time stroke survivor, he is deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue his journey as a writer.
As of March 2024, Charles serves as the director of the AC Bilbrew Writers Workshop, a thriving group of writers in the Los Angeles area. From 2006 to 2018, he led numerous workshop lectures at the library, further solidifying his impact on the literary community.
The Depths of My Soul: poems from the heart of a man (2001)
The Voices of South Central (2003)
Storm Over South Central (2021)
RELAY (2022)
Strange Tales of Science Fiction (2024)
UPCOMING:
It's All About Fate (2025)
A letter from the AC Bilbrew's Black Resource Center thanking Charles for teaching the writer's workshop inside the library (2006).