CFD Team Spotlight: Kate Charlotin, Podcast Co-Director
The Newsletter Team sat down with one of our undergraduate fellows, Kate Charlotin, for an interview about her work, passions, hobbies, and special CFD projects. The transcript of our interview is below.
CFD Team: Tell us a bit about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying?
I’m a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences, where I’m double majoring in Political Science and Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Studies, along with a minor in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. My academic interests center on understanding how political systems shape people’s lives, especially in contexts of conflict, migration, and human rights abuses.
I’m a proud Haitian, born in Brooklyn, New York. When I was very young, my family lived for a short time near Mexico City, which gave me an early, even if subconscious, connection to different cultures and diasporic experiences. I grew up primarily in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where I was surrounded by a vibrant Caribbean community that deeply influenced my identity, values, and interest in social justice.
CFD Team: What is your role within the Center?
I serve as an Undergraduate Communications Fellow with the Center, where I primarily work as one of the co-hosts of CFD Conversations. In this role, I help plan episodes, interview guests, develop storylines, and create accessible content that brings attention to issues of forced displacement around the world. Beyond podcasting, I contribute to the Center’s broader communications efforts by helping translate complex academic discussions into narratives that resonate with students and the public.
CFD Team: How did you come to work at CFD? Where does CFD fit into your story?
My path to CFD is deeply connected to my identity and lived experience. As a Haitian-American, I’ve grown up watching political instability and violence reshape Haiti in heartbreaking ways. My family still living in Haiti continues to be affected by insecurity, displacement, and the breakdown of public institutions. Seeing people I care about struggle with the consequences of political violence has always felt personal, it pushed me to learn more about the global forces that create displacement and how communities rebuild in the aftermath.
Working at CFD allows me to channel that personal history into meaningful action. It gives me a platform to uplift stories that are often overlooked, and to contribute to conversations about the structural conditions that force people from their homes. CFD fits into my story as a space where my academic interests, cultural background, and commitment to advocacy come together. It’s a place where I can grow as a communicator, deepen my understanding of global displacement, and use storytelling as a tool for education and change.
CFD Team: Where do you hope to be five years from now?
Honestly, this is always a scary question for me because so much can change, but I do have a sense of the direction I’m moving in. Five years from now, I hope to be pursuing or completing a master’s degree in either Human Rights or Global Affairs, building on the work I’ve begun at CFD. I want to deepen my understanding of displacement, political violence, and the structural forces that shape people’s lives.
A little beyond that five-year mark, my goal is to attend law school and eventually practice civil or human rights law. I see myself working directly with impacted communities, advocating for more equitable policies, and using both legal tools and storytelling to bring visibility to people who are often overlooked. More than anything, I hope to be in a place where I’m growing, learning, and doing work that aligns with my values and my commitment to justice.
CFD Team: What is something you’re proud of?
I’m really proud of the academic journey I’ve built for myself at BU. I’ve taken full advantage of the opportunity to explore different disciplines from, Business, Women’s Studies, Communications, Public Relations, International Relations, Political Science, Jewish Studies, Philosophy, Hospitality, and hopefully so much more. Each course has given me a new lens through which to understand the world, and together they’ve shaped a truly interdisciplinary education that I’m grateful for.
I’m also proud of the relationships I’ve formed with professors who have challenged and inspired me. Their mentorship has encouraged me to make connections across fields that might not seem related at first, but ultimately deepen my understanding of issues like displacement, identity, and human rights. Looking back, I’m proud of how curious I’ve allowed myself to be, and excited about how this wide-ranging education will continue to shape my path moving forward.
CFD Team: What excites you about working on CFD’s podcast? Are you looking forward to anything?
What excites me most about working on CFD’s podcast is the opportunity to learn directly from experts who have dedicated their lives to studying and addressing forced displacement. Every conversation allows me to pick the brain of scholars and community leaders whose perspectives challenge me, expand my thinking, and expose me to topics I may not have encountered before.
I love that the podcast creates a space for meaningful dialogue, one where ideas become accessible and where we can highlight stories and issues that deserve more public attention. I’m especially looking forward to deepening my own understanding of forced displacement while helping others learn alongside me. The idea that our conversations might spark curiosity, empathy, or awareness in someone listening is incredibly rewarding, and it makes me excited for every episode we create.
CFD Team: Tell us about some of your passions and hobbies outside of academia. What makes you, you?
Outside of academics, I love exploring Boston with my friends, whether that means trying new restaurants, discovering little corners of the city, or just spending time together. I’m also really into shopping, especially thrifting. I love finding unique pieces, and I try to be intentional about avoiding fast-fashion consumption. For me, fashion is a way to express myself while also being mindful of sustainability.
On campus, I’m a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the first Black sorority. Being part of AKA has given me a strong community and a platform to serve and uplift the Black community in Boston through service, advocacy, and sisterhood.