Chariena “Char” Woods is a proud Mississippi native by way of Columbus, Georgia, currently residing in the Columbus area. She is a Human Resources Business Partner for a Fortune 500 company, where she was recognized as the youngest HR Business Partner in the organization and inducted into the prestigious Circle of Excellence. A two-time graduate of Albany State University, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management.

Char serves as Co-Chair of her company’s Employee Resource Group supporting Black professionals and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the National Council of Negro Women. As Ms. Black Georgia USA 2026, she proudly champions her platform, “Mentally Mindful,” which focuses on mental health awareness, access to resources, and community empowerment. Through leadership, service, and sisterhood, Char is committed to uplifting others and representing Black excellence with grace and purpose.