The Charleston Job Corps Center (CJCC) operating under Horizons Youth Services (HYS) will feature various guest speakers at Monday Business Meetings during August in honor of “Black Business Month.” Our first guest speaker was Charles A. Parker a local entrepreneur dedicated to his profession and making a difference in the community.

Parker’s mother attended the Job Corps program before he was born. He credits his mother’s career technical training at Job Corps in changing the trajectory of his family’s life. Parker has a passion for entrepreneurship. “I never wanted anyone else to control my destiny.” Parker told students he made some bad decisions in the past to get money, but he realized it was a dead end.

Students and staff were receptive as he shared personal experiences that molded him into the successful businessman he is today. “I had my first car dealership at 19. Nobody told me what to do. I went to the bookstore and began reading to learn. I was self-taught.” Parker spoke of having a “do it anyway” mentality against the opposing forces to success. He listed several things he believes to be important in becoming successful. Parker said, “Get in the right environment where you can grow”. He commended the students for attending the Job Corps program to further their education and training.

Parker knows that no man is an island. He credits mentors for helping him along the way, such as William Coleman, owner of Tray’s Barbershop. So what does he do in a typical day? Preparation is key! “I get up early about 5:00 a.m. and start my day. I listen to other successful individuals, especially through audio while I’m working out” said Parker.

Center Director Willie Brown told students, “Mr. Parker is a prime example of someone you need to seek out upon completing the program. He is the type of person that can show you how to get there.” In closing, Charles Parker told attendees, “You will never be great until you are grateful.” Parker is the owner of Charleston Pre-Owned Luxury Autos, Charleston Auto Body Repair and Ascend Global Services (AGS Travel) a home based travel discount club. CJCC salutes Charles A. Parker!

Job Corps is a no-cost education and career technical training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16-24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. The Charleston Job Corps Center is overseen by the Philadelphia Regional Office of Job Corps and is operated by Horizons Youth Services.

Group Photo: Deion Lee, Harry Conn, Willie Brown, Charles Parker, John Lewis and Phillip Turner