Lessons from the Iron Door
Growing up in Miami’s Liberty City housing projects, Charles Maree’s mother had one rule: safety first. Every morning, before heading to work, she locked her children inside with a heavy iron door that clanged shut like a prison gate. From behind that barrier, Charles and his siblings watched neighbourhood kids play freely in their dirt […]
The Friday Setup—When Persistence Becomes Power
Near the end of fire academy training, Charles and three other recruits faced what should have been a celebration. Graduation was just days away. They had passed every test—written exams, drills, state requirements. But instead of applause, they were singled out. Three Black recruits and one Hispanic recruit were told to redo their drills. The […]
From Tangerines to Transformation
In 1968, ten-year-old Charles Maree crawled through a broken grocery store window during Miami’s riots. Others grabbed cash, electronics, or valuables. Charles picked up a box of tangerines. It was a small act, but one that lingered in his memory. He didn’t leave with riches. He left with a symbol—a reminder that survival often isn’t […]