Charles Griggs is the president of the Eighth & Whitner Group LLC, a media and government relations agency focused on the engagement of policy and program issues related to improving community outcomes. Griggs works as an experienced media and marketing professional who takes pride in creating strategies to improving equity of all people. His knowledge of the communications industry spans almost 40 years and involves various winning campaigns, associations and clients throughout the south.

Griggs was selected in 2004 as the U.S. Small Business Administration’s North Florida Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year.

In 2005 Griggs began his tenure with the Florida Department of Health in Duval County, and served as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement, then later Director of External Affairs. In this capacity he managed external efforts that include media relations, risk communications and legislative affairs designed to protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors of Duval County. In 2010, Griggs was honored as valedictorian of the University of South Florida Public Health Leadership Institute of Florida 13th graduating class.

In 2017, Griggs began serving as Minority Engagement Coordinator for the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and program manager for the Florida Health Equity Research Institute.

In 2002, Griggs became a member of the 100 Black Men of Jacksonville, Inc., and soon served as the organization’s Chairman of Health and Wellness. In 2008, under his leadership, the organization developed an award-winning men’s cancer education and prevention initiative called Men Tackling the Big C. The initial focus of the program was to educate African American men on the risk
factors of prostate cancer, and to provide resources for screening and treatment. The program was later expanded to include colorectal cancer education and awareness. In 2016, Griggs was honored by the 100 Black Men of America with the James T. Black Health and Wellness Award. In 2017, Griggs was elected to serve on the board of directors of the 100 Black Men of America, Inc. as Southern District Representative. Currently, Griggs serves as Southeast District Representative.

Also, as a community resource, Griggs is a graduate of Leadership Jacksonville Class of ‘98 and a former board member of the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. He was also appointed by three different City of Jacksonville Mayors to serve on the Jacksonville Human Rights and Arts in Public Places Commissions and the Jacksonville Journey Oversight Committee. He currently serves on boards of directors of the Jacksonville Housing Authority and WJCT Media. In 2015, he received 2015 Mayor’s Lifetime Journey Award (8 years of service on the Jacksonville Journey Oversight Committee).

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Griggs has made a personal commitment to give back to the community by serving as a Take Stock in Children mentor since 2006. In 2012, Griggs was honored as Mentor of the Year with the Take Stock in Children Jim and Anne Kufeldt Award. Griggs is member of the National Urban League Quarter Century Club through serving the Jacksonville Urban League over the years as a board member and as chairman of the Jacksonville Urban League Auxiliary. He is also a past president of the
Jacksonville Association of Black Journalists, Inc.

On the other side of the media table, Griggs has contributed as an editorial writer through his column titled BlacKoffee, syndicated and published in the Jacksonville Free Press. He previously hosted and produced The Next Page and First Coast Focus, radio talk shows that focused on community and social issues. Currently, Griggs is a regular contributor on WJCT’s First Coast Connect Media Roundtable news broadcast, which airs weekly on 89.9 FM (an NPR affiliate), and host a podcast called #realtalk the Show with Charles Griggs.