Charles L. Carson, M.A.

Founder

Charles feels it is vitally important that you read these FACTS relative to his summary autobiography - thank you Charles L. Carson, M.A. was born and raised in Tacoma, WA. He was raised by a single-Caucasian mother on the eastside of Tacoma. After surviving turbulent childhood/teenage years, Charles dedicatyed his life to changing his community.
In 1989, won the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year. He was soon recruited and trained by Stephaen Harrell & the Tacoma Youth Initiative for community activism. He was selected from over 800 applicants to attend the Washington Leadership Institute Governors School for Citizen Leadership. Charles was recruited by the Safe Streets Campaign in 1989 to help fight a literal “war” in Tacoma against drugs, gangs and violence. Charles would create and implement several community projects that directly impacted drugs, gangs and violence. In 1990, Charles received the National Hitachi Foundation/Yoshiyama Award for Exemplary Community Service. In 1991, after touring an after hours program in Southside Chicago, IL, Charles returned home to Tacoma and drafted a proposal that lead to the creation of "Midnight Basketball" later retitled, "Late Nite at the "Y". Charles collaborated with the Tacoma Center YMCA, specifically Phil Carter and Charlie Davis, to implement the program on March 15, 1991. The program has remained in operation for nearly thirty years and continues to thrive at every YMCA branch in Pierce County/other and was the first program of its kind in the United States. Since its inception, the program has been duplicated by dozens of youth/community organizations around the world. In 1992, he was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Substance Abuse and in 1993 he received the USA Diamond Award for Service to the Country. That same year Charles and numerous youth involved in the Late Nite program were honored by former United States Vice-President Al Gore. In 1996/97, Charles was chosen from over 500 applicants nationally and awarded the National Do Something Brick Award by Do Something.org MTV and Mademoiselle Magazine for exemplary community service and was viewed as one of the top ten most important people in the United States. In 2011, Charles was awarded the Directors Award by the Safe Streets Campaign in Tacoma, WA and recognized for his lifetime service to the community. Between 1992 and 2003, Charles earned an Associate’s Degree from Tacoma Community College/Evergreen State College, a Bachelor’s Degree from Evergreen State College, and a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington. He has presented and spoken hundreds of times in public schools, colleges, detention centers, churches and has been keynote speaker for several major community events. Charles has worked with hundreds of youth, children and families for over thirty years. Charles has raised one son, one daughter and is raising his youngest son. He is an accomplished musician, author and activist. Charles currently owns and operates Beautiful Birds Family Services, a foster/adopt licensing agency that helps find good homes for children. Charles has renewed his lifelong relationship with his friend and mentor Stephaen Harrell to form Live 4 Love Human Outreach and is now partnering with dozens of individuals, organizations and businesses to implement his vision for positive and effective community change. Charles states that his most important value in life is God and his salvation through Jesus Christ.