Charlie and Marge Staples
BOARDMAN – Household names in Youngstown barbecue were honored alongside the founder of the Youngstown Juneteenth Celebration Committee (YJCC) for a night of celebration in Boardman Thursday.
The Youngstown Warren Black Caucus (YWBC) honored Charlie and Marge Staples, founders of Charlie Staples Barbecue Restaurant, and Joseph Napier, Jr., founder of YJCC and member of the Youngstown Creative Collective, during its 15th annual fundraiser dinner.
Jaladah Aslam, president of the YWBC, said she was happy to spend the night honoring Youngstown legends.
“Charlie Staples is a legend in the Youngstown community, definitely in the African American community,” Aslam said. “He and his wife ran Charlie Staples Barbecue for almost 50 years. That’s a feat for anyone to have any business that long.”
Aslam commended Napier Jr. for taking initiative to begin celebrating Juneteenth locally before it was recognized as a national holiday. All three of the honorees were chosen, in part, for their work and impact in the community.
YWBC is a political action committee that raises money to increase voter registration, education and mobilization, Aslam said. The group also endorses and supports candidates who support the African American community.
Leaders, barbecue legends honored for local impact
Charlie and Marge Staples
The Staples began their barbecue journey in the area in 1974.
“It’s an honor to be recognized for your lifelong work,” Charlie said. “For people to give you your flowers while you’re still able to smell them.”
The restaurant was first opened as a barbecue stand in 1939 by Bill Robinson, who purchased the barbecue sauce recipe from a woman who moved to Youngstown from down south at the time
Charlie bought the restaurant and operated the business at West Rayen Avenue until it was sold in 2023.
“It really wasn’t work when we enjoyed it so much,” Marge said. “We truly enjoyed what we were doing and servicing the community.”
Luckily, the Charlie Staples Bar-B-Que Sauce didn’t retire with the Staples. The sauce is still sold at grocery stores across the Mahoning Valley and at the now-Charlie Staples Pitt Boss BBQ restaurant.
Joseph Napier Jr.
Napier said his nomination came after more than 10 years of being involved in the community.
“I’m turning 35, so things of this nature are milestones,” Napier said. “I know a number of faces in the room, so it almost feels like family…it’s a warm feeling seeing everybody come together for a night such as this.”
Joseph Napier Jr.
Napier said that the honor was met with a moment of reflection as he dedicated it to his late grandmother.
The Youngstown Juneteenth Celebration Committee hosts a week of events leading up to Juneteenth, including gatherings, a parade, and events that share the history of the day.
He also said he has recently joined the Youngstown Defenders booster club to help support the community through the new school.
The fundraiser dinner took place at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman.
Download the WFMJ app for your Apple or Android smartphone or tablet to get our push alerts as news happens.
Dining and Cooking