Description:
Born in Philadelphia in 1939, Charles Redner experienced a unique childhood, spending time in both urban Philadelphia and rural southern New Jersey. His father, a WWII veteran, returned with PTSD, significantly impacting the family dynamics.
Redner attended various high schools, including Northeast High School in Philadelphia. After high school, he worked for an advertising agency and attended broadcasting school, eventually producing a live TV show called Modern Living. Seeking further education, Redner enrolled at Rutgers University-Camden to earn a degree in psychology, attending night classes while working full-time.
Throughout his life, Redner was deeply involved in the Civil Rights Movement and political activism. He actively participated in the Robert Kennedy Presidential campaign and the antiwar movement. His anti-war sentiments were strong, leading him to resign his commission in the New Jersey National Guard to avoid a conflict of interest. As class president at Rutgers-Camden, he was tasked with recruiting Black and Puerto Rican students to the university. He collaborated with the Black People’s Unity Movement (BPUM) in Camden to create and distribute recruitment materials.
Redner's career in advertising flourished, and he eventually became the executive vice president of a large agency. Redner also pursued writing, authoring several books, including a biography of boxer Joey Giardello and a novel about terrorism and border security.
The Rutgers Oral History Archives received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. In the 2024-2025 cycle, this grant assisted the ROHA staff in making this oral history available to you for your use.