Who is Charleston White? Everything you should know
Charleston White is a familiar name in the online community due to his unapologetic and sometimes controversial views. He has been an outspoken advocate for the reform of troubled teens after his own transformation following a seven-year incarceration in the juvenile prison system, which he says changed his life.
Source: Twitter
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Charleston White, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, struggled with abandonment issues after his father left. Hanging out with the wrong group ended up with a murder charge at only 14 years old. Since his release, he has become a polarizing figure on social media.
Charleston White's profile summary
| Full name | Charleston White |
| Other names | Baby Blu |
| Date of birth | May 17, 1977 |
| Age | 47 years old in 2024 |
| Birth sign | Taurus |
| Place of birth | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Current residence | Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Gender | Male |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Married |
| Wife | Tamara White |
| Children | Two |
| Siblings | One brother |
| Education | Texas Wesleyan University's Criminal Justice Program |
| Profession | YouTuber, influencer, motivational speaker, youth reform activist |
| Website | charleston-white.myshopify.com |
| Social media | InstagramFacebookYouTubeX (Twitter) |
Who is Charleston White?
Charleston White is an American YouTuber, motivational speaker, youth reform activist, and influencer. He is known for his outspoken and controversial views, particularly on race and the influence of hip-hop culture.
White is the founder and CEO of Hyped about HYPE (Helping Young People Excel). He established the non-profit organization to educate at-risk and troubled teens and steer them away from the juvenile system.
How old is Charleston White?
Charleston White's age is 47 years old as of 2024. He was born on May 17, 1977, in Fort Wort, Texas, United States.
Source: Original
Charleston White's parents and siblings
Charleston was raised in a single-parent home alongside his brother. His mother used to work long hours to provide for the family, which left the two siblings with a lot of time to make bad choices.
White said in his July 2020 interview with News21's Kids Imprisoned that being abandoned by his father affected him. He joined gangs because he wanted to be a part of a family.
I understand abandonment – the feeling of being unloved, unwanted, and rejected as a child. When I had the chance to belong to something, regardless of its nature, I grabbed it. I longed for a family because I felt I didn’t have one...Many children make mistakes because they’re hurting and don’t know how to cope with their pain.
Charleston White's criminal record
The Forth Worth native got a criminal record in his early teens. When he was 14, he and three of his associates stole athletic jackets at a mall. During the escape, one of White's companions shot and killed a man who tried to stop them.
Charleston White was arrested and charged with murder and sentenced to 12 years in juvenile. During his incarceration at Texas Giddings State School, he became the leader of his gang.
In his October 2015 op-ed in The Texas Tribune, White shared that the juvenile system had a life-changing impact on him when he learnt that someone believed in him. He would have been taken to an adult prison system on his 18th birthday, but correctional officers testified for him to stay in juvenile.
During my time at Giddings State School, I learned the importance of accountability and responsibility...The most significant factor, however, was the people. I was mentored by extraordinary men and women who genuinely believed they could change my life for the better...Their willingness to take a chance on me had a profound impact. I noticed their faith in me, and it motivated me to turn my life around.
The influencer was released in 1998 after serving seven years of his sentence. He was 21 years old when he got out.
Was Charleston White arrested?
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Charleston White was arrested in December 2023 on charges related to a December 2022 animal cruelty report and a November 2023 assault.
White initially claimed he was the victim of the assault in a now-deleted Facebook video. In the video, White said he was struck on the head with a gun while asleep and went outside with a firearm to “protect his wife.”
He dismissed the animal cruelty claim, saying it stemmed from a comedy skit. White was released on bond, with his bond set at $15,000 for assault and $1,000 for animal cruelty.
Source: Twitter
Fatherhood made Charleston White change for the better
When White first got out of prison, he went back to a life of crime. On his HYPE website, he explains that he did not know another life. The arrival of his first child made him think about his choices.
He decided to enrol at Texas Wesleyan University's Criminal Justice program, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree. He has since been a motivational speaker for juveniles around Texas.
Who is Charleston White's wife?
The Fort Worth native is married to Tamara White. She usually appears in his videos and has defended him on multiple occasions. The couple has two children: Charleston Jr and Charli.
Source: Twitter
Charleston White's controversies
The YouTuber is not new to internet controversies. In March 2023, he came under fire for saying derogatory and racist things about the Asian community. He did not offer an apology despite the backlash.
In October 2024, Charleston made disparaging remarks about YSL Woody's disabled daughter and claimed that his child was better than Woody's. White has also come under fire for his controversial opinions on the deaths of rapper King Von, George Floyd, and Nipsey Hussle.
The influencer previously shared that his online persona is different from his real-life activism. During his appearance on the Big Facts podcast in 2022, he said that he was only online to earn an income.
All these platforms monetizing— I came to monetize. I'm not here to uplift anyone who's broke or to stop any violence—that's what I handle in real life. When I come online, it's my break from reality. Everyone's pretending to be something they're not on the internet — why be mad at me? I'm making a lot of money doing this.
How much is Charleston White worth?
Charleston White's net worth is estimated to be worth $1.5 million in 2024, according to Wealthy Gorilla and Money Inc. He has created his wealth through his career as a motivational speaker, YouTuber, and influencer. His YouTube channel has been taken down numerous times due to his unfiltered views.
Source: Twitter
Despite his controversial past, Charleston White continues to make an impact through his bold commentary and advocacy. He has become a prominent figure in addressing a wide range of social and cultural issues.
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Source: Briefly News
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