Our April Beauty of the Month – Charlton Inije

1. Who is Charlton? What should we all know about you?

To define Charlton means an all-encompassing view of where I have come, where I am, and where I am going. Many deem past experiences as a hindrance instead, I use those memories as motivation. People often say never look back, but I take pride in looking back just to see how far I have come. How do you monitor growth if you are not keeping track, right? Oftentimes, I look at myself and see not a perfect man but a progressing man. I am Charlton, a world-renowned wedding and events photographer, a son, and a brother.

2. What are things that you do to make yourself feel beautiful or confident?

I am sure many already know that working out is at the forefront of my list. Although beauty is intangible, I believe that what I do physically, strongly affects how I feel internally. I am sure you have heard this before, but health is wealth. If you maintain a healthy living, you will feel beautiful both inside and out. Lastly, daily affirmations because confidence can be verbally built up and torn down, so being mindful of what I say to my body and how I treat it means everything.

3. What is Black Beauty and what does it mean to you?

Black Beauty is the universal acceptance of different shades of melanin. Once upon a time, people barely knew what melanin meant. Growing up in Miami, Florida among Hispanics, there were different shades of brown, and I witnessed the lack of acknowledgment for people that look like me. Black Beauty to me means being seen, seen for who I am as opposed to what I look like. Don’t forget, “the blacker the berry the sweeter the juice.”

4. Are there any words, quotes, or sayings that you live by?

I love this quote from Henry Ford, “whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” I live by this quote because it reminds me that perspective influences decision-making. If I do not believe it, there is no way that I will achieve it.