Carroll 1958-2020 Special Award

The Carroll High School Class of 1958-Monroe Louisiana presents its 2020 Special Award to Charles People in recognition of Outstanding Leadership, Youth Scholarship Program Development, Athletic Excellence in Golf, Service to the City of Oakland CA and Commitment to the CHS Class of 1958 Activities. Our 2nd Annual Leadership Award is being presented to our classmate, Charles Peoples, a resident of Oakland, California. He is a minority businessman who moved to California in 1958, who attended Merritt College in Oakland. Charles played football at Merritt for two years, earning two team letters, and made the first-string All Big 8 Conference Team in 1959 playing center at 170 pounds (a record not exceeded). In 1961, he played semi-pro for the Oakland Gladiators and was invited to the Oakland Raiders' Spring Training Camp. Due to his physical size, he was not able to compete. Charles re-directed his priorities to business and worked as manager of the California Rug Company for ten years. He then moved to Alaska and established his own business, the Beaver Rug Company. This very successful venture led him back to the Bay Area to Berkeley, California. The enterprise was renamed Charles Peoples Carpets. In 1966, a close friend and high school classmate, Charles Clay, introduced him to the game of golf. After taking lessons from golf professional & coach, Lucious Bateman, Charles Peoples found his passion. In 1975, his dream of "Giving Something Back" became a reality when he organized The Peoples Golf Tournament. His purpose was to promote the game of golf to Bay Area youth and to help underprivileged children acquire a college education. Family and friends were significant to his success by helping with tournament organizing, catering, scoring, and numerous other tasks. The Tournament has grown into one the largest and most successful of its category in Northern California and across America. In 1977 Charles formed the Peoples' Tournament Scholarship Program. During the first year, ten $1,000 college scholarship were generated from tournament proceeds. Various other non-profit organizations were also granted scholarship donations, and Charles' dream is still being fulfilled. In 1979, due to several major operations, Charles retired from his carpet business. However, his faith in God, love and respect for the game of golf, and hope for the youth of tomorrow, gave him an even stronger motivation to continue his efforts to promote the Scholarship Program and other golf initiatives. In 1984, the Coors Brewing Company became a major sponsor, creating the COORS PEOPLES PRO-AM CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT. This joint venture was formed as a non-profit organization to continue providing college scholarships and Junior Golf Assistance to deserving youth. This tournament has been the sole fund-raising vehicle for the organization, providing over $300,000.00 for college scholarships and Junior Golf programs. On June 21, 1991, Charles Peoples was inducted into the Black Sports Hall of Fame for his efforts and achievements in "Inspiring Hope for the Future." On November 11, 1995, he received the Earl Merriweather Award. After retiring from the flooring business, Charles pursued the Silk Screen Printing and Embroidery Business. As a result of his health, he was compelled to turn his business over to his son, Charles Jr. in 2013.

Statement of Purpose "I am not doing this for Charles Peoples. The recognition is nice and all of that, but it would not mean anything to me if we were not helping youth obtain higher education, which can mean a chance for a better life. That was my objective in the beginning and it remains my purpose."