Hi, I’m Charlie!

Charlie Sender Headshot

I’m a senior at Ransom Everglades Upper School. Ever since I was little, I’ve been the one asking questions and building connections, whether I was introducing myself to new kids on the playground or trying to memorize all the planets in our solar system. That’s how I got the nickname “Curious Charlie,” and it stuck.

As I've grown older and learned about urgent environmental and social problems impacting our future, my curiosity has deepened, especially concerning ways to reduce the harm of fast fashion—including its contribution to overflowing landfills, worker exploitation, and unethical labor practices. Taking action, I have focused on increasing awareness of these topics inside and outside the classroom through my initiatives like Teens Against Fast Fashion (TAFF), which collaborates with teens from across the world, and my internship with the Miami-Dade School Board, where I help create sustainable public school classrooms.

I am focused on turning ideas into impact; I don’t just say I want to make a difference, I mean it. And when I believe in something, I give it everything I have, no matter if I fail or succeed. I believe our generation needs to understand the importance of every decision each individual makes. In my projects, I aim to help each person understand that they can inspire change through their choices, whether it be politically, environmentally, or socially. When people work together to help their environment, the positive effects on communities are long-lasting. Together, I am hopeful we can bring about sustainable change, no matter where we come from. I have hope in us, our youth, and everything we are capable of becoming.

My Story:
How My Passion for Sustainability Arose

I was introduced to sustainability and environmentalism at an early age. In a fifth-grade design class, one of the themes was “recyclable fashion.” I knew recycling was something we were supposed to do, even if I didn’t fully understand why. I used leftover bubble wrap to create a pink dress. I felt proud to walk in my first runway show wearing something made entirely from trash. That project sparked a question that stuck with me: Why doesn’t every design incorporate recycled materials? Over the next few years, this project served as the starting point for my sustainable fashion hobby.

COVID changed everything for me. Early on, I watched a video showing the clear, blue sky that emerged when factory shutdowns reduced air pollution in China. The video stopped me in my tracks. For the first time, I saw what it looked like when the Earth had a chance to breathe.

From clearer ocean waters due to reduced boat traffic and wildlife populations recovering because of decreased human activity during this time, I continued to realize that if everyone contributed to sustainability, the world could become a better place. This awakening helped me realize that small, everyday actions—such as picking up a piece of plastic trash—weren’t just good habits, but steps toward a healthier, more sustainable world.

I channeled this understanding into fashion and launched Teens Against Fast Fashion (TAFF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating future generations about the detrimental effects of fast fashion and inspiring peers to take action, starting with sustainable choices in their everyday lives. I didn't just want to change how I consumed; I wanted to help others see what I finally could. Today, TAFF has 227 ambassadors around the world and has sponsored and run 736 events that teach people of any age about sustainable fashion and its importance in helping our Earth recover.

Sustainable Projects ♲

  • Teens Against Fast Fashion (TAFF)

    Teens Against Fast Fashion (TAFF)

    I founded TAFF to show my peers that fashion can be reimagined. What started as a local clothing swap has grown into a global network of over 227 ambassadors. Through upcycling workshops, school presentations, and social media campaigns, I’ve been able to combine innovation in circular fashion with youth-driven advocacy.

  • Miami Period Pantry

    Miami Period Pantry

    I co-founded the Miami Period Pantry to address period poverty in my community. We stock public pantries with menstrual products and promote sustainable solutions like washable period underwear. To me, it’s not only about reducing waste — it’s about dignity, equity, and giving people real choices.

  • Lobbying & Policy Work

    Lobbying & Policy Work

    I lobbied to help pass a climate-related bill — proof to me that youth voices can influence systems and policy, not just community projects.

  • Keynote Speaker, Miami Youth Climate Summit

    Keynote Speaker, Miami Youth Climate Summit

    Being invited as a keynote speaker at the Miami Youth Climate Summit was one of my proudest moments. I shared my journey in sustainable fashion and encouraged other teens to use their voices.

  • Sustainability Work in Peru

    Sustainability Work in Peru

    In Peru, I worked directly with Indigenous artisans who taught me natural dyeing with flowers, weaving, and simple eco-building methods. This hands-on experience showed me the technical process of sustainable textiles while also teaching me the cultural importance of traditions that respect the Earth.

  • University of Miami Research

    University of Miami Research

    I collaborated with University of Miami professor Dr. Jessica Bolson on research exploring how social media, cultural perceptions, and personal values influence fashion purchases. Our study examined student awareness and decision-making, focusing on fast versus sustainable fashion. I collected 111 survey responses worldwide and submitted the paper for publication in a student journal.

  • Columbia Pre-College Program in Art

    Columbia Pre-College Program in Art

    At Columbia University, I explored how art intersects with environmental issues. This experience pushed me to think about sustainability not only as science or activism, but also as creative expression.

  • Same Sky Foundation

    Same Sky Foundation (Summer Internship, 2025)

    This past summer, I interned at the Same Sky Foundation, where I immersed myself in global women’s empowerment and conscious-consumer initiatives. Working across marketing, social media, and foundation support, I learned how storytelling and outreach can increase social impact. It was a powerful reminder that sustainability is about raising voices and creating inclusive economic opportunities.

  • Day on the Bay

    Day on the Bay

    I organized Day on the Bay, a youth-led marine cleanup and education event which brought together students, families, and community members to learn about ocean health while making a tangible impact.

  • Internship at ICA

    Internship at ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami)

    At the ICA, I led children’s workshops that focused on upcycling and rethinking waste. Using art as a tool for sustainability reinforced my belief that education and creativity are powerful drivers of change.

  • Design Lab Bubble Wrap Dress

    Design Lab Bubble Wrap Dress

    My first sustainability project was a dress made of bubble wrap at Miami’s Design Lab. It taught me how creativity and reuse can go hand in hand, and it sparked my interest in sustainable textiles.

  • Digital Art Project (The Glitch)

    Scholastic Digital Art Project (The Glitch)

    I created The Glitch for the 2025 Ocean Awareness Contest, using digital art to explore the environmental consequences of human choices. It was a way to merge activism with storytelling. 2025 Scholastic Honorable Mention

  • Girl Scout Advocates Q&A

    Girl Scout Advocates Q&A

    I met with Girl Scout Advocates on Zoom to answer questions about TAFF and sustainable fashion. Inspiring younger students to lead change is one of my favorite parts of this work.

  • OneGreenThing

    Excited to share that I earned a certificate in Green Civics through OneGreenThing’s Climate & Democracy Leadership Intensive this summer. I connected with a global cohort of young leaders (ages 18–26) to explore the intersection of mental health and climate action and to focus on scaling climate solutions through state, federal, and global policy. We also examined how individual action can drive the culture change essential for effective climate policy.

Community Leadership & Service

  • Phoenix Project

    Phoenix Project

    I started the Phoenix Project to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives. I believe in second chances, and this project gave me a way to combine creativity, entrepreneurship, and community support.

  • Coconut Grove Food Pantry Youth Council

    Coconut Grove Food Pantry Youth Council

    Through the Youth Council, I worked to make sure underserved families had access to food. It taught me how deeply connected sustainability is to issues like food justice and community resilience.

  • Vizcaya Teen Council

    Vizcaya Teen Council

    As part of the Vizcaya Teen Council, I helped brainstorm creative ways to connect teens with sustainability. I led a clothing swap at the museum, showing how fashion can be fun, community-driven, and environmentally responsible.

  • National Honor Society (Vice President)

    National Honor Society (Vice President)

    As Vice President of SNHS, I’ve helped lead service projects and organize initiatives that encourage my peers to give back. We recently finalized our new tutoring system and completed our ConScience magazine full of scientific discoveries at RE.

  • Youth Service Month / Global Youth Service Day 2025

    Youth Service Month / Global Youth Service Day 2025

    During Youth Service Month, I mobilized TAFF’s ambassadors around the world to host educational events and upcycling drives. Coordinating this effort showed me the power of collective youth action.

  • Breakthrough Business Challenge Judge

    Breakthrough Business Challenge Judge

    I served as a judge for middle school students pitching business ideas. Mentoring them reminded me that leadership isn’t just about starting your own projects — it’s also about lifting others up.

  • Jungle Jews

    Jungle Jews

    I am the co-founder of Jungle Jews in Costa Ballena, a community hub for Jewish people in the Costa Rican jungle. We bring people together and build community through shared Jewish peoplehood.

Teens Against Fashion (TAFF)



A nonprofit organization that uses global ambassadors to spread awareness about fast fashion’s negative environmental impact and promotes eco‑friendly choices through sustainable activities.

View Project

My Favorites

Miami
Period Pantry


In an effort to provide feminine hygiene products to underserved communities, my team and I have built and installed three period pantries in Miami, distributing a total of 6,146 free menstrual products.

View Project

Phoenix Project

As an outgrowth of a junior year project in my Global Studies and Entrepreneurship class, I founded the Phoenix Project, which aims to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives with stable employment and support. We connect formerly incarcerated individuals with job opportunities, resume creation, interview prep, and advocate for second-chance hires by leveraging our partnerships with local businesses.

View Project

Jungle Jews
Costa Ballena Jewish Community Center (JCC)

I am the co-founder of a community center in the jungle of Costa Rica, connecting people and building community through Jewish traditions and holiday celebrations.

View Project

Contact Me

If you’d like to connect, collaborate, or learn more about my work, I’d be happy to hear from you. My email and phone number are listed here—please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Email
charlietruthsender26@gmail.com

Phone
917-935-1210