
About Us
Charlie’s PLACE is named for Charles Parker who, for many years, served the Kalamazoo community. Named by the Kalamazoo Gazette as “Mr. Everything”, Charles’s reputation for excellence in youth programming and community development work is extensive.
His most notable service includes serving as Program Director for the Greater Kalamazoo Y.M.C.A. where he established the Lincoln-Y.M.C.A. program; founder of the Kalamazoo Black Achievers Program; head coach for various sports programs such as football, track, wrestling and judo; founding member of the Northside Neighborhood Watch; and Achievement and Behavior Support Specialist for Kalamazoo Public Schools.
In addition to being an active community leader, Charles is the father of six children and reared countless nieces, nephews, and foster children over the years. Charles believed that it was essential for his children to develop into community leaders, therefore he worked hard to keep them involved in many of the services he was involved with in the community. The seeds of hope he planted in his children enabled them to realize their personal dreams; and now they have been equipped and positioned to help him to realize a personal dream of his own.
In 2013, with the help of his family, Charles Parker founded Charlie’s PLACE—Pursuing Leadership and Community Engagement—an organization that offers educational, athletic, and leadership programs. Charlie’s PLACE hopes to provide an environment that plant seeds of hope, cultivating and developing youth into effective community leaders.
Our vision is to pursue leadership and community engagement.
The mission of Charlie’s PLACE is to enable the village to invest in all people so that we ensure youth and families reach their full potential! We provide programs through education, athletics, and leadership skill development to empower individuals to become successful at all stages of life to transform and sustain healthy and vibrant communities.
Our Board of Directors

Charles Parker
President

Alisa Parker-LaGrone
Vice President

Tanya Wilson
Secretary

Nicole Parker
Treasurer

TaKarra Dunning
Sergeant at Arms

Teleshia Parker
Director at Large

Calvin Parker Harley
Director at Large

Adrienne Harley
Director at Large

Tiffany Parker
Director at Large

Aaryn Wilson
Director at Large

Lyonel LaGrone
Director at Large
Questions? Give us a call at (269)-903-1459 or reach out through our contact form!