B.A.C.E. Basketball: Forty Years of Legacy, Leadership, and Love for the Community

As B.A.C.E. Basketball approaches its remarkable forty-year milestone, the organization continues to stand as a powerful example of service, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to young people. What began as a humble effort to give youth a positive outlet has grown into a pillar of hope, discipline, and opportunity within the community.

At the heart of this nearly four-decade journey stands Founder and President Charles “Charlie” Coleman, a man whose dedication has shaped thousands of lives and whose impact will continue to echo for generations.

For decades, Charlie has given more than time, he has given purpose. He believed basketball was more than a sport; it was a tool. A tool to teach life skills, build character, and open doors that many young people never imagined possible. Through his leadership, B.A.C.E. became a second home for countless youths seeking guidance, structure, and someone who truly believed in them. Charlie was that person. His voice of encouragement, his high expectations, and his genuine love for the kids created an environment where success was not only possible but expected.

Coach Charlie’s dedication goes far beyond the court. Day after day, year after year, he has devoted his life to keeping young people safe, active, and focused on their goals. He invests in their dreams the way a father, mentor, and community leader does selflessly and wholeheartedly. His coaching extends into classrooms, homes, and futures. Due to that commitment, thousands of young men and women have gone on to attend college, graduate, and build meaningful lives, using the foundation Coach Charlie helped lay through basketball.

The story of B.A.C.E. is a story of resilience, sacrifice, and belief. It is the story of a man who refused to give up on his community, even when resources were limited and challenges high. Charlie’s work has kept kids off the streets, supported families through difficult times, and united the neighborhood around something positive and powerful. His legacy is not measured in games won or trophies earned, it is reflected in the lives saved, the futures changed, and the hope restored.

As B.A.C.E. Basketball prepares to celebrate 40 years, we honor not only the program but the extraordinary man who built it. Charlie’s passion, integrity, and lifelong service stand as a testament to what one person can accomplish when they dedicate themselves to uplifting others. His impact cannot be measured, but it is felt each day in the success stories of the young people who proudly say, “Coach Charlie helped me become who I am.”

Forty years of B.A.C.E. means forty years of love, leadership, and legacy. And through the continued work inspired by Charles “Charlie” Coleman, the decades ahead promise to be just as powerful.