Charles has made a career of blending academic and professional environments. He brings the critical analysis of academia to a production environment while taking the sensibility of practical application into the classroom.
Charles Easley was reared in Houston, Texas. He received his BA degree in Mass Communication from Huston-Tillotson College, in Austin, TX in May 1991. He went on to complete his graduate studies, on a full Fellowship (The Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship) at the University of Iowa, where he received a MA in Communication Studies: Emphasis in Film and Video Production, in August, 1994. His professional endeavors include: Public Relations Assistant for the Governors Energy Office in Texas for Ann Richards; Lab Supervisor/Instructor for the Host Broadcast Training Program for the 1996 Olympic Games, where he worked with a team to facilitate the training of over 1,200 students to work in various broadcast positions; Off-line Editor for the European Broadcasting Unit for the 1996 Olympic Games; Production Track and Field Coordinator for the 1996 Special Olympics; Assistant Professor of Mass Media Arts at Clark-Atlanta University; Assistant Professor of Mass Communication at Barber-Scotia College; a Free-lance editor for WAGX FOX Channel 5, Atlanta, GA ; a Free-lance writer for the Atlanta Tribune; and currently serves as Academic Chair for Digital Filmmaking and Video Production at the Art Institute of Charlotte.
His committee work includes local art organizations as well as academic contributions. He has served as a panelist for topics including Black Male Images in the Media, Hip Hop: A Dream Deferred and served as a facilitator at the Mint Museum of Charlotte and The Light Factory and a History of Black Cinema. He was recently a panelist at the Mint Museum Uptown for The Charlotte Black Film Festival on the subject of "The Color of Media."
His work includes several original productions. He has worked as an associate producer with Emulsion Arts, a local film production company that produces work for regional and national campaigns. He has produced work through the Cable in the Classroom Series for clients including the Sci-Fi channel and BET. He has produced independent work including a mini-documentary for Time Out Youth, Relay for Life and a Visual Essay featuring the Friendship Nine: Rock Hill’s Lunch counter Freedom Fighters.
He is the creative writer and producer of the blog www.professorlocs.com. He is also a successful columnist for Creative Loafing and www.qcitymetro.com under his brand and alter ego Professor Locs. He has expanded his Professor Locs brand to create several opportunities as a media personality including appearance on The BJ Murphy Show on 103.3 and several guest host spots on The Satisfied Life with Ramona Holloway.
He is committed to working with community initiatives and schools, especially those that serve marginalized communities. He is passionately committed to the ideology of mentoring and has worked with several historical and present initiatives. He has been a guest lecturer, presenter and panelist for various programs and institutions.