Miami, FL — As United Way Miami celebrates 100 years of community service, one name stands tall among its most committed supporters: Ms. Sharron L. Henley, affectionately known as “Charito.” A proud native of Miami and a living example of transformation through community investment, Henley is celebrating a personal milestone: 30 years of payroll contributions to United Way Miami; as a member of its Women United Giving Community.
Henley’s journey with United Way began not as a donor, but as a beneficiary. Raised and educated in Miami-Dade County’s public and private school systems, she found herself as a single mother seeking stability and opportunity. Through the support of her mentor and “second mom,” the late Dr. Shirley B. Johnson, former President of the Miami-Dade Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Henley enrolled in United Way’s Welfare to Work program in 1994. At the time, the program was fueled by efforts like the Florida Dislocated Worker’s Center, a State of Florida and United Way Miami partnership aimed at empowering the unemployed with skills, training, and hope.
That program became a pivotal turning point in Henley’s life. It led her to successful completion of an undergraduate degree, gainful employment at Miami-Dade County Public Schools and The Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc., a long-standing United Way agency committed to empowering communities and changing lives.
Today, Henley serves as the Vice President of Program Development, Operations, and Management at that very agency, continuing her 28th year of empowerment. Only now, she is the one helping others find their path.
“Supporting United Way Miami is deeply personal for me,” said Henley. “I’ve experienced the impact firsthand. My three decades of giving are both an expression of gratitude and a way to pay it forward, so that another young mother, as I once was, can have the opportunity to shape a better future.”
Henley’s professional and civic contributions are as expansive as they are impactful. A graduate of Oakwood University with a B.S. in Biology and Full Sail University with an M.A. in New Media Journalism, she is a certified educator, an ordained minister, and a nonprofit leader with more than 25 years of experience in education, housing, public policy, and community empowerment in South Florida.
As host of her own radio program, Conversations With Charito on Excitement Radio, Henley leverages media to bring light to issues ranging from breast cancer awareness and identity theft to human trafficking and financial literacy. Her nonprofit, Urban Community Connections, Inc., further promotes cultural awareness and resource access, particularly within Black and Hispanic communities.
In recognition of her tireless work, Henley received the prestigious 2023 U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest civilian honor for volunteerism and civic service. Her life’s work has also earned her national recognition from Yale University, the National Urban League, and Merrill Lynch Philanthropic Fund as a best practice model for youth and minority empowerment initiatives.
Henley also devotes time to serving on the boards of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Metropolitan Dade County Section (MDCS), North Miami Beach Police Athletic League (PAL), and The Historic Georgette’s Tea Room—each a testament to her unwavering commitment to the community that raised her.
As United Way Miami reflects on a century of changing lives, Henley stands as a beacon of what that mission looks like in action. From a struggling single parent to a pillar of strength in Miami’s nonprofit and education sectors, her story is a reminder that transformation is not only possible; it’s powerful.
Henley is the epitome of what Women United stands for, resilience, leadership, and community,” said Elaine Rozier, an education consultant for “Achievement Matters” program of the Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc. funded by United Way Miami. “Her 30-year commitment shows us all what it means to give with both heart and purpose.”
As both United Way Miami and Sharron L. Henley celebrate milestone anniversaries in 2025, their stories intertwine in the most meaningful way, proving that a community can be rebuilt, one life at a time, when we choose to uplift and invest in one another.
To support the ongoing work of transforming lives across Miami-Dade, you can join Sharron L. Henley and thousands of other changemakers by donating to United Way Miami. Your contribution helps fund vital programs in education, financial stability, and health, providing critical resources to individuals and families striving for a better future. Whether it’s a one-time gift or a recurring payroll deduction, every dollar makes a difference. To make a donation or learn more about how you can get involved, visit www.unitedwaymiami.org. Together, we can continue building a stronger, more equitable Miami for the next 100 years.
CWC News 