Monterey High School senior Paris Charles represents the next generation of Black leadership.

To say that 17-year-old Paris Charles is an overachiever would be an understatement. The Monterey High School senior boasts a 4.4 GPA, serves as the president of the Black Student Union, is a founding member of the Monterey County Black Caucus – alongside her mother Rosalyn Green and older sister Tinisha Dunn-Alcantara – and is active with the Seaside Rising Youth Leadership Academy, the NAACP, Mock Trial and Key Club, among others. She also competes in multiple sports, including cheerleading, basketball, flag football and track.

Charles has already been accepted to a number of historically Black colleges and universities, such as Howard University, Tuskegee University, Morgan State University and Hampton University. Wherever she ultimately chooses to go, Charles plans to study political science and minor in psychology, with her sights set on law school.

Weekly: What motivates you to be so active in your school and community?

Charles: I believe that everyone should win. It shouldn’t be a single-person race. If I know that I am doing well, I want to be able to pour out into others and make sure that other people are succeeding, as well.

I also understand that in my culture, we are very hurt by the system made to destroy us. So, if I am able to step over the wall and pull it down, and bring others around me, that also helps to motivate me. It’s a forever journey and I like to see change in the world.

Can you speak more about the groups you’re involved with?

At MCBC [Monterey County Black Caucus], I am the coordinator for the Kid Zone side, where we put together all kinds of activities and games. At Seaside Rising, we recently had our youth summit, which was amazing. We had a lot of our youth come out and celebrate the end of our eight sessions throughout the year. We had all of our [Monterey] City Council representatives come out and every school was there to represent.

How does it make you feel to see City Council members show up to events like that?

It’s very touching. I like to see our city involved in what we want to do as youth because it’s always said that the youth is the future. And when those who are in positions of power now actually make an effort to shine light and bring recognition to the youth, and actually hear and see what we like to do, it’s very heartwarming because it shows that they actually care.

What is your favorite topic to study? And how do you maintain such a high GPA?

My favorite subject in school is English because I love to read and write. As soon as I had the ability to do so, I made sure I was in high-level English classes. This year, I am at the [Monterey Peninsula College] level. I just make sure that I’m grounded in everything that I do and I’m organized. There’s no stopping.

What are some of your favorite books?

In elementary, my class was going over the Harry Potter books and I have been into Harry Potter ever since.

I also read this book – I think in middle school – that brought me into reading which was called Black Boy, White School, which showed the struggles of a Black boy and his time in a predominantly white school, and I related to that because throughout my life I have been in predominantly white schools. But he also shined and didn’t let that stop him.

Can you tell me about some of your biggest heroes and influences?

Besides my sister and my mom, who are large staples in my community, there’s also Shirley Chisholm, who was one of the first Black women in Congress. She taught me that wherever you go, to keep pushing for what you believe is right. And if there aren’t any seats at the table, to pull up your own chair.

What do you like to do outside of school?

I am deeply rooted in faith – so church, my Bible, praying. My faith keeps me grounded. It reminds me that my purpose is bigger than pressure. Without god, I would not be this far.

What advice do you have for young people, especially young Black women?

Keep standing. Keep going. Don’t allow the pressure and systems built to diminish you keep you from doing what you like to do or accomplishing all the things that you know that you can. Stay Black. Stay strong. Stay unapologetically you.