dr. charles e. jarvis

Dr. Charles E. Jarvis is the Founder and President of the Crossroad of All Saints Village Fund Inc., an organization established on May 15, 2004. From an early age, Dr. Jarvis demonstrated a clear vision for personal achievement and community transformation. He has consistently maintained that sustainable progress depends on education, collective responsibility, and the intentional protection and nurturing of future generations who will inherit the land’s invaluable resources.

Born in All Saints Village, Antigua, British West Indies, Dr. Jarvis was affectionately known as “Kenny” among family and friends. His formative years were deeply shaped by faith, mentorship, and principled guidance. He was profoundly influenced by his great-grandmother, Ellen Nathan, whose love, encouragement, and values left a lasting imprint on his life. He also drew inspiration from the teachings of the Honorable Marcus Garvey. Another pivotal influence was his teacher, Ms. Violent Watkins, who recognized his potential early and encouraged him never to lose his unique gift. These early influences laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to leadership and service.

In 1965, Dr. Jarvis migrated to St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands, where he worked for four years in the hotel industry, developing professional skills and advancing into management. In 1969, he relocated to Puerto Rico and continued his career in hospitality as a dining room captain at the Condado Hotel in Condado, Puerto Rico. In 1970, he migrated to the United States and settled in Mount Vernon, New York, where he worked at Waldbaum’s, holding several positions and ultimately rising to Assistant Store Manager.

Dr. Jarvis’s contributions to education, labor, and community organizing have been significant and sustained. He served for eight years as President of the Mount Vernon Parents and Community Forum on Education (MVPCFE), an organization responsible for the school district’s Parent Involvement Day, observed annually on the second Monday in February in the City of Mount Vernon, New York. He also served as Shop Steward for Local 338 of the RWDSU/UFCW. In addition, he is the past President of the Mount Vernon Ujima Local Organization Committee, Inc., which was established following the Million Man March to advance unity, self-determination, and community empowerment.

Beyond his local engagement, Dr. Jarvis has remained deeply connected to his homeland. He is a founding member of the Antiguans and Barbudans for Constitutional Reform and Education (ABCRE). He was also among the early organizers of Antigua and Barbuda Day—formerly known as Caribbean Splashdown and Health Fair—and for several years played an active role in expanding the event into the largest annual cultural gathering of Antiguans and Barbudans held over the Labor Day weekend in New York.

In recognition of his service and leadership, Dr. Charles E. Jarvis was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in Philosophy by Dr. Eugene Samuels, PhD, President of the College of Philosophy and Education in the State of Delaware. This honor was conferred on June 17, 1999, at Truman High School in Bronx, New York.

Dr. Jarvis met his wife, the former Lorene Stamper, in 1979. After two decades of partnership, he married his longtime companion and best friend on August 14, 1999. He is the proud father of five sons: Todd, Chris, Darren, Denzel, and Robert.