P.O.M.E: Black Navy Veteran Launches HIPHOPOLY Board Game

Charles “Chuck” Carter is the creator of HIPHOPOLY, an educational board game based on life in inner cities and the obstacles that often plague urban communities, but also gives players food for thought with the goal of helping them make better choices. The first prototype was created in 2012 and HIPHOPOLY was brought to market February 2022, after Carter established his Product of My Enlightenment (P.O.M.E.) LLC in 2019. Carter is originally from Long Beach but also lived-in South-Central, Los Angeles.

What inspired you to go into this business? 

The fact that there’s been hundreds of different versions of Monopoly but there’s never been one that represents THE CULTURE, even though the game has been around for nearly 90 years and referenced in hip-hop lyrics for decades. I also felt like incorporating the life lessons and the decisions that the inner-city lifestyle often forces us to make and combining them with hip-hop lyrics and the world’s most popular real estate game, had great potential. 

What inspired you to become an entrepreneur in general?

I think most people who come from inner cities are entrepreneurs out of sheer necessity. However, although my circumstances forced me to become an entrepreneur in grade school, I’d have to say Nipsey Hussle’s inspirational verses and the fact that I was able to use real estate to make a better life for my family, is what made me want to create my own company in hopes of inspiring others to do the same. 

How has business been for you as an entrepreneur?

Although, lots of times we expect our businesses and products to become household brands overnight, I think we had a decent first year and I have no doubt that the business will continue to grow with the more exposure we get.   

What would you say is special about your company?

P.O.M.E. is a black/veteran owned company that was established to help change the proverbial “Product of My Environment”/”fixed” mindset to more of a “Product of My Enlightenment”/”growth” mindset.  

What would you like people to know about you personally as a business owner?

As a kid who knew I wanted more than what the inner city had to offer, I became a real estate investor at age 24 while serving a 20-year sentence in the U.S. Navy. LOL! After my release date, I then created a product and became a business owner to help educate and give back to the communities that lots of us never make it out of. 

Why was starting this business important to you?

Starting this business was important to me because Hasbro’s Monopoly has been in existence for nearly 90 years and is a global multi-billion-dollar product which has created generational wealth for several families. So, I figured I’d start my own company with the goal of making HIPHOPOLY a global brand to help create generational wealth for several Black families. 

What do you love most about HipHop?

Motivational and inspirational lyrics that give you food for thought and positive words to live by!

How can people purchase your products?

Our South Central Los Angeles Edition (which is our first edition) can be purchased at Uplift Us Market Place and Malik Books in the Culver City (Fox Hills) Mall. It can also be purchased at Freshs Closet in the Slauson Mall or on our website www.hiphopolyboardgames.com.