Interview with Charaxes Blackfire
Date24 July 2025
Mediumborn digital audio file
DimensionsDuration: 36 Minutes, 46 Seconds
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineCommunity History Project Collection
DescriptionAudio file of interview with Charaxes Blackfire. They were interviewed by Keara Lyons on 24 July 2025 in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Charaxes Blackfire was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in their life.
In this interview Charaxes Blackfire reflects on profound personal transformation, the nuances of healing, and the impact of chosen family. Now engaged to a long-time best friend and working as a retail sales lead, Charaxes balances adult responsibilities with emotional recovery following the deaths of their grandmother and uncle, both significant familial figures. These losses, compounded by ongoing stress about housing and financial stability, have made recent years deeply transitional.
Charaxes’ story centers around a pivotal shift that occurred in early adulthood during a mental health crisis. After experiencing substance use, isolation, and declining mental wellness, they reached a breaking point while hospitalized. That moment of clarity, staring at a blank ceiling in a clinical setting, sparked an inner awakening: they no longer wanted to live that way. Without external pressure or formal long-term programs like AA [Alcoholics Anonymous], Charaxes chose to walk away from destructive habits and begin again. This decision, made independently, became the foundation for their recovery.
Describing themselves as resilient, Charaxes emphasized their capacity to “bounce back” no matter the obstacle. They now embrace the quiet joys of routine, a supportive partnership, strong sibling bonds, and a newfound peace in domesticity. Their retail job, while not ideal in pay, offers them structure, community, and confidence. Yet, anxiety about further change looms large, “If one more change happens, I’m going to freak out,” they quip. Still, they meet uncertainty with humor and honesty, describing their emotional journey as equal parts beautiful and chaotic.
The conversation also explored their philosophical take on life: the importance of gratitude, living in the moment, and not allowing past failures or missed dreams to define self-worth. Drawing inspiration from figures like Carrie Fisher and family wisdom, Charaxes spoke of healing not as a straight path but a personal redefinition of success.
They voiced hopes of eventually working with adolescents in mental health or recovery settings, inspired by the empathetic mentors they encountered in treatment. While further education stands as a barrier for now, Charaxes remains committed to making a difference, believing their story might one day help someone else through their own "blip."
Charaxes Blackfire was interviewed as part of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's Community History Project discussing moments of change in their life.
In this interview Charaxes Blackfire reflects on profound personal transformation, the nuances of healing, and the impact of chosen family. Now engaged to a long-time best friend and working as a retail sales lead, Charaxes balances adult responsibilities with emotional recovery following the deaths of their grandmother and uncle, both significant familial figures. These losses, compounded by ongoing stress about housing and financial stability, have made recent years deeply transitional.
Charaxes’ story centers around a pivotal shift that occurred in early adulthood during a mental health crisis. After experiencing substance use, isolation, and declining mental wellness, they reached a breaking point while hospitalized. That moment of clarity, staring at a blank ceiling in a clinical setting, sparked an inner awakening: they no longer wanted to live that way. Without external pressure or formal long-term programs like AA [Alcoholics Anonymous], Charaxes chose to walk away from destructive habits and begin again. This decision, made independently, became the foundation for their recovery.
Describing themselves as resilient, Charaxes emphasized their capacity to “bounce back” no matter the obstacle. They now embrace the quiet joys of routine, a supportive partnership, strong sibling bonds, and a newfound peace in domesticity. Their retail job, while not ideal in pay, offers them structure, community, and confidence. Yet, anxiety about further change looms large, “If one more change happens, I’m going to freak out,” they quip. Still, they meet uncertainty with humor and honesty, describing their emotional journey as equal parts beautiful and chaotic.
The conversation also explored their philosophical take on life: the importance of gratitude, living in the moment, and not allowing past failures or missed dreams to define self-worth. Drawing inspiration from figures like Carrie Fisher and family wisdom, Charaxes spoke of healing not as a straight path but a personal redefinition of success.
They voiced hopes of eventually working with adolescents in mental health or recovery settings, inspired by the empathetic mentors they encountered in treatment. While further education stands as a barrier for now, Charaxes remains committed to making a difference, believing their story might one day help someone else through their own "blip."
Object number2024.79.55
NotesSubject Note: The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History’s Community History Project (CHP) is a public-facing initiative, focused on contemporary collecting, gathering items of the recent past as well as from events happening today. This program developed community historians to identify, document, and preserve their experiences as residents of Connecticut, and to share these experiences during a series of community presentations. The project focused on the theme "Redefining Moments of Change." Conneticans share stories of people or events who have changed their lives or how they have sparked change in the lives of others.Cataloging Note: Digitization and access to this collection is supported by a Congressionally Directed grant through the U.S. Department of Education.
Subject Terms
- Fairfield
- Oral history
- Interviews
- Oral narratives
- Weddings
- Retail trade
- Health
- Mental health
- Substance use disorders
- Drug abuse
- Family
- Friendship
- Death
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Hospitals
- Relationships
- Recovery
- LGBTQIA+ people
- Interviews and Oral Histories
- Born Digital Audio
- Community History Project U.S. Department of Education grant
- Redefining Moments of Change Collection
On View
Not on view
30 October 2025
1 July 2025
