Empowerment Topics Available for Instruction

History of the Charles:

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Dimitri’s lineage traces back to Haiti, where his ancestors were forcibly taken to from Africa through the Transatlantic Slave Trade—a brutal system that spanned centuries and tore millions from their homelands. His ancestors endured unimaginable suffering, surviving the Middle Passage and arriving in Saint-Domingue, the colony that would later become Haiti. 

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The spirit of Haiti itself—the first Black republic, born from a successful slave revolt that defied colonial powers and inspired liberation movements across the globe. Dimitri’s lineage is not just one of survival, but of strength, resistance, and the enduring power of ancestral memory.

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Dimitri Charles' family journey to the United States began in the 1960s, when his maternal grandfather, Emmanuel Lamour, started bringing his children from Au Tord du Nord (Au Cap), Haiti, to Brooklyn, New York. Emmanuel’s eldest daughter, Edeline, later met and married Mario Charles, whose own family had immigrated from Port-au-Prince. Over time, both families moved across the bridge to East Orange, New Jersey, where Emmanuel became the first in the family to own a home—settling on North Arlington Avenue and laying down roots for future generations.

 

Edeline, a devoted homemaker and caregiver to the elderly as a Certified Nurse Assistant, and Mario, a lifelong scholar and electrical engineer raised three children: Dimitri, Daphney, and Darmil. Their upbringing was deeply rooted in the strength of community, and the guidance of the church. Driven by a profound faith and commitment to service, Edeline and Mario became founding members of Mt. Olive Church of God in Orange, New Jersey—an institution that has since grown into one of the largest Haitian churches in New Jersey and the world.​ 

 

All three children—Dimitri, Daphney, and Darmil—attended Clifford J. Scott High School in East Orange. There, Dimitri distinguished himself as a gifted basketball player, earning a full athletic scholarship to Rider University. At Rider, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in teaching, media, and communications, laying the foundation for a dynamic and impactful career. Dimitri went on to serve as a certified public-school teacher in the Newark Public Schools, lead the mentorship program at Big Brothers Big Sisters, and become the Central Ward Liaison under Mayor Cory Booker, who would later become a U.S. Senator. Today, Dimitri is both a respected Newark firefighter and a driven entrepreneur, dedicated to revitalizing abandoned properties and uplifting his community. 

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History of the Timberlakes:

Britnee N. Timberlake’s paternal lineage traces back to Durham, North Carolina, and Mobile, Alabama, with ancestral roots that stretch across the Atlantic—descendants of Africans who endured the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade and survived the brutal passage to the United States. Her paternal grandparents, were Mary (Timberlake) Whitley and John Harvey Jones.

 

John, of both Native American and African American descent, came from Mobile, while Mary’s family in Durham bore witness to the generational impact of Emancipation as sharecroppers. During the "Black Migration", both Mary and John made their way independently to Manhattan, settling in Harlem—revered as the “Black Mecca” for its cultural and political significance. It is in Harlem where they met.

 

As the eldest female out of seven siblings, Mary became the backbone of her family, securing jobs for her siblings prior to their arrival from the south, and building a life through resilience and entrepreneurship. She worked as a domestic laborer while supplementing her income through sewing and cooking for a clientele that included church leaders, the Masons, and Eastern Stars. Mary was also the matriarch who led most of the family to Christ.

 

John, served the United States as a merchant marine. He was also a luxury service driver, earning deep respect in his community. Known for his deep voice and charisma, he cultivated friendships with iconic figures such as Billie Holiday and the founder of the legendary Sylvia’s restaurant, leaving behind a legacy of pride, perseverance, and connection.

John and Mary’s connection led to the birth of Britnee’s father, Philip Timberlake, in Harlem. Mary later moved to Jersey City in 1971, where Philip played basketball under legendary coach Bob Hurley at St. Anthony’s High School. He then attended Upsala University, in East Orange, where he became a basketball standout. At Upsala, Philip met Cathy Walsh, a student from Levittown, Pennsylvania,

 

Cathy's family (Britnee's maternal grandparents) have Irish and French-Canadian roots. Her ancestors immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century, with Cathy's maternal side first settling in New Hampshire from Canada before relocating to Levittown. Cathy's paternal side through her grandparents and father Frank Walsh were of Irish decent and established roots in Trenton, New Jersey, before making their way to Levittown as well. Cathy's mother Dorothy Walsh was a union worker at Nabisco which enable who later re-married Frank Parr an Army veteran.

 

Philip and Cathy Timberlake married and built a life rooted in service and community. Philip served honorably as a First Sergeant in the elite 82nd Airborne Division, while Cathy pursued her passion for special education, working across multiple military duty stations to support adolescents with mental and physical challenges—a calling that began with her early work at Church of the Crossroads in East Orange, New Jersey. Together, they raised three children—Kisha, Chad, and Britnee—in a blended family shaped by the values of resilience and global awareness. Growing up in military communities around the world, the Timberlake children developed a broad and inclusive perspective. Britnee eventually returned to East Orange to care for her grandmother Mary and to pursue an education at Seton Hall University, where she earned, her BA degree in political science and religious studies, followed by a Master’s in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and Government. 

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Timberlake Charles Collide:

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In 2011, Britnee attended a birthday celebration that would prove to be life changing. At the venue, she met Dimitri, who was there for the annual East Orange Clifford J. Scott Thanksgiving weekend reunion. Their connection was immediate, sparked by lively conversation and a shared passion for housing and community development. Britnee had recently co-founded the Essex Community Land Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to creating affordable housing opportunities. Dimitri, already an experienced for-profit developer specializing in revitalizing vacant and abandoned properties, was in the process of launching his own nonprofit—Partnerships Community Development Corporation—focused on mentoring youth and transforming neighborhoods. Their meeting marked the beginning of a powerful partnership rooted in purpose and vision.

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United by their shared passion for community development, Britnee and Dimitri joined forces to restore an affordable homeownership opportunity for a low- to moderate- income family—an endeavor that not only transformed a property but also deepened their bond. As they worked side by side, their partnership blossomed into love, and they became inseparable.

 

In 2014, Dimitri joined the Newark Fire Department, balancing his commitment to public safety with his ongoing work in housing revitalization. Meanwhile, Britnee embarked on a path of public service, rising through the ranks as a County Commissioner, then State Assemblywoman, and now proudly serving as a State Senator. ​

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Staying true to the foundation of their relationship—built on a mutual passion for community development—Dimitri and Britnee lovingly restored a vacant, abandoned home in East Orange, New Jersey, where they later exchanged vows. Fittingly, the house sits just down the street from where Dimitri’s grandfather purchased the family’s first home in the 1970s, weaving their love story into the fabric of generational legacy. Today, the Timberlake Charles family resides there, in a blended family, raising four of five sons—Daniel, Dimitri Jr., Damascus, and Davian—in a home filled with purpose, history, God, and love.

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Timberlake Charles Family Scripture: Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him [Jesus Christ] who gives me strength."

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The Formation of the Timberlake Charles Community Empowerment Center

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When Britnee told Dimitri she was given the opportunity to shape the space at 520 Main Street, Unit 1B, East Orange, NJ as she desired, they collectively chose to dedicate it as a free, multipurpose room—open to all from the surrounding community and municipalities. Their vision was to create a welcoming environment where knowledge is shared, inspiration is sparked, and individuals empower one another. From this vision, the Timberlake Charles Community Empowerment Center (TCCEC) and Foundation was born.

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TCCEC stands as a beacon of hope and progress, deeply rooted in the couple’s commitment to shared growth and opportunity. Their inspiration for the Center comes from the Bible verse in Hosea where it is written: “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” This verse underscores the critical importance of education and awareness in sustaining and uplifting a community. Britnee and Dimitri founded the Center on the belief that access to information is not a privilege—it’s a lifeline, and the Center serves as a space where learning, empowerment, and transformation are not only encouraged—they are essential. Through education, resources, and shared wisdom, the Timberlake Charles Community Empowerment Center is committed to empowering individuals from all walks of life—regardless of demographic, background, or belief system.

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Thanks to the generosity and far-reaching network of Britnee and Dimitri, the Timberlake Charles Community Empowerment Center has already become a vibrant hub of activity and impact. The Center has hosted an impressive array of programs—including food distributions, cultural celebrations, cancer prevention and health screenings, historical society gatherings, technology workshops, Know Your Rights and foreclosure prevention sessions, award ceremonies, financial literacy training, HUD-certified 8-hour homebuying courses, estate and will planning, NAACP ACT-SO youth development, and Jack and Jill civic engagement initiatives—just to name a few. 

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Sign up to host a group here, or to offer an empowerment session by sharing your knowledge and skill set with the community.