Interview with Mr. Charles Parker

Interview with Mr. Charles Parker

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Interviewers

JB Brown

Description

Mr. Charles Parker, longtime educator, the founder of Charlie's P.L.A.C.E. and locally known as "Mr. Everything", is interviewed by JB Brown.  During their interview Mr. Parker discusses the following:

  • Being born in Aberdeen, Mississippi and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan;
  • Early interests in sports and physical activities;
  • Participating in international judo competitions, and coaching kids in the sport;
  • The Black men that acted as mentors to guide him along his path such as Walter Jones, Arthur Washington, and Al Hampton;
  • Leveraging his degree in social work with his love for sports to expand youth opportunities and development;
  • Accepting the call to work with youth; Impactful 25 years as a coach and behavioral specialist in Kalamazoo Public Schools;
  • Seeing young people as the keys to the future; Reflecting on how his village shaped him, and wanting to create that same space for youth today;
  • The founding of Charlie’s P.L.A.C.E. in 2013 and program expansion;
  • Hopes for the future of Kalamazoo and his own legacy.

Date of Interview

2-17-2026

Location of Interview

Kalamazoo, MI

Series

Black Men Leading

Keywords

Black men in leadership, Public Education, Non-profits, Community Leadership

Disciplines

Civic and Community Engagement | Nonprofit Administration and Management | Oral History | Organization Development | Public Administration | Social Welfare

Language

English

Document Type

Interview

Length of video

01:07:32

Length of video log

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Interview with Mr. Charles Parker

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