Charles Avery was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in Harlem and attended New York public schools, then studied at the School of Visual Arts. He served for two years in the armed forces. Mr. Avery is the author of Black Traces, a collection of photographs and poems which express the dignity and strength of Black Americans. He lives in North Plainfield, New Jersey. He works as a freelance photographer and as a senior assistant librarian.