Today, I said goodbye to a friend. I met Rev. Louis Coleman when he walked into a local radio station and told them he would like to start a radio show. The station had to have someone who could produce and keep him on time plus help with his topics every week. The station approached me and wanted to know if I would be interested. I jumped at the opportunity to work with the man I fondly called "Revie Rev." because he was always running. We created the show "Coleman Speaks". The one hour show could have stayed on for hours. He would hand me his phone and tell me to call people like Dick Gregory and Rev. Jesse Jackson. They would see his number and answer. I actually got to talk to these civil rights pioneers because of Rev. Coleman.

What people didn't understand about Rev. Coleman is that he ran with his heart. People would call him all day and night and he would call them back. He always said injustice done to one is an injustice to us all. I would answer his phone during the show and there are so many people who would talk to him in private but in public they would not acknowledge what he had done for them.

When I got promoted in television he told me you are too nice. You are going to have to have thick skin. Because your enemies don't want to see you succeed. The job will tear you apart but keep your head up and just do your job and you will be fine. He told me many times over the past 17 years if you need me just call. How many people do you know really mean that? He could rally a group of people in a matter of hours. Tell me who else do you know that can do that? I spoke to Coleman almost everyday for the last six years of his life. We would talk about family, work and his health.

He started exercising to improve his health. Sometimes if I needed to ask him something he would answer out of breath. We would laugh and then go on with the conversation. So, almost every night I knew what he was doing the following day. If he missed a day, he made up for it the next day by calling me multiple times.

Coleman had a great sense of humor. The funny thing we used to laugh about all the time is when he would say "Sherlene I'm going to hold a news conference tomorrow what would be a good time" I would say "Rev well, there's several news conferences going on tomorrow." He would say 11am sounds good to me. I would reply yes or no. If I said yes he would say "Let me write up the release and send it to everyone else. He did it the opposite way so he wouldn't waste his time. You are suppose to write the release, submit it to the media and hope they come.
Another funny moment he used to hand write his press releases. I used to tell him you need to find someone to type them for you or at least print them. One day, a fax came to the station and it was typed. I could not believe it. He did take my suggestion. About a year ago, an email popped in the system and it was from him. I called laughing wanting to know who did it because I know he didn't send this email. He laughed and said "We have an intern this summer." So, I know many critics talked about his misspellings but so what everyone misspells. I have a double masters and I know you might find one in this article. But you still know what I mean.

I think this station was fair to Coleman. We covered what we could and we always did it in good taste.
What's news to some is not always news to others. We have to balance that on a daily basis but again I think we do it well.

Coleman was not sent here to be everyone's friend. His mission was to help those who asked for assistance. Fine, you do not like his tactics. I'm sure someone doesn't like yours. But, when you are in the public eye you have to take the good with the bad. He surrounded himself with positive people so that when the critics would try to bring him down, they were there to validate that he was doing the right thing.
Coleman had a right to voice his opinions anyway he liked. Some people use email blogs and radio talk shows to voice their opinions. All opinions matter regardless if the majority agree or disagree with you. Again, it's your opinion.

I'm going to miss our conversations, advice, guidance and the occasional news tip.
Farewell my dear friend,

Sherlene

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