ccoovveerr ssttoorryy A co-anchor on the WDSU morning news, the 40-year-old Divins says he has always considered himself a storyteller for his entire career. Starting off as a model, the dashingly handsome former actor transitioned to being an actor while spending a year abroad. When he returned to the U.S. he became a wellknown soap opera actor in a daytime television series. “I was a storyteller then, only there was a filter or character telling the story,” says Divins. “I’m a storyteller now, but there’s no filter – it’s just me, Charles, telling the story.” A Dallas native, Divins has been in New Orleans just over two years and feels totally at home in the Crescent City. Modeling stints in high school meant traveling all over the country and internationally while on school break and summer vacations. Though he attended college, Divins was lured by a unique opportunity to travel to South Africa, where he started his acting career. The culturally rich and newly born post-apartheid nation appealed to Divins who stayed a year. “New Orleans seems like Disneyland compared to South Africa,” says Divins with a hearty laugh. To prove his point, he notes that sitting outside at a café with a cell phone in plain sight just wouldn’t happen in Johannesburg. What both cities have that attracts Divins are a rich culture, a diverse population and a vast array of opportunities. It’s the opportunities that Divins returns to again and again as he describes his life thus far. Aware that his photogenic personal appearance and his warm personality have opened many doors for him, Divins is completely up front about how lucky he has been and continues to be. Though he has taken advantage of many of those opportunities, the fitness buff isn’t flippant about his successes. His self-awareness is also disarmingly charming. Not content to just rely on his looks, Divins says he is always looking to challenge himself and stretch, both professionally and personally. The move from a syndicated entertainment show based in Orlando, Florida to a news show in New Orleans has certainly helped him do just that. “I constantly challenge myself,” says Divins. “Life is not linear and I want to keep on working; keep on growing.” Comfortable in front of a camera, Divins says he has had to find his voice doing news. New Orleans and his job at WDSU have allowed him to grow. In addition to coanchoring the news, Divins does a weekly segment on inspiring stories of giving and compassion, often focusing on nonprofits and organizations that help others. “I love to do stories that allow me to connect with people,” says Divins. “Finding positive stories about the good that is happening in our communities is what I strive to focus on.” The concept of micro communities inside a larger community is one of the things Divins loves best about New Orleans. Exploring all of its neighborhoods is something he and his wife Fabiola love doing in their spare time. From trying new restaurants, to riding bikes around town, the newly married couple have gotten to know much of the city this way. Originally from Los Angeles, Mrs. Divins, like her husband, has immersed herself in New Orleans culture. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BIONCA FLOT SYKES JANUARY / F E B R UARY 2 0 1 7 breakthrumediamagazine.com | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | 21
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