Born in the United States, Roland Charles established himself as a pivotal figure in the Los Angeles arts community. He was a co-founder of the Black Photographers of California, an organization instrumental in documenting and preserving the visual history of the African-American experience.

Through his leadership of the Black Gallery, Charles provided a vital platform for Black artists to exhibit their work, fostering a community for photographers who were frequently excluded from mainstream institutions. His own photography focused on capturing the cultural and social landscape of his community.