Soul Of Louisville Speaks

This past Tuesday several hundred gathered at 28^th and Broadway to remember Rev. Louis Coleman who died the previous Saturday in Norton’s Suburban Hospital at age 64. It was one of many media records to honor his life and work and offering condolences.

Blacks and whites described him as a courageous activist with unstoppable anger towards racial injustice. David Jones, Sr., cofounder of Humana, Inc., credited him for his effective use of the media, recalling a white tablecloth luncheon he once held on the sidewalk in front of the Pendennis Club (then all white) which he said “produced major TV coverage and led to the club’s integration”, and how he was known to stage candlelight ceremonies in front of crack houses to alert police of their whereabouts.

Etta Jones, a long-time friend and fellow activist, acknowledged his big shoes to fill, but says as the interim director of his Justice Resource Center she vows to try and fill them because she believes the work should continue.

The Rev. Coleman I was familiar with since becoming a Louisville resident regularly took issue with incidents involving police shootings. Many of these confrontations came with controversy, not because the shootings weren’t questionable (although determined justifiable). The controversy was because some believed the victims were supported for indefensible reasons, raising an eyebrow of more than a few. Still, he was admired for having enough nerve to raise the issue.

Free public transportation was provided for all who desired to attend his funeral held Friday, July 11. The homecoming was celebrated at Caanan Christian Church. It started at 11 a.m. and went well into the afternoon. Over 3000 were in attendance. His work was greatly appreciated.

The National Newspaper Publishers Association: The Black Press of America (NNPA) celebrated its 181 year old history in Louisville this past week. Created to spotlight the black community through educational, inspirational, and empowering stories, NNPA continues to serve in the same capacity today. Before my cousin, John Smith, current chairman of the board, invited me to tag along to some of their conference events, I don’t think I fully realized or appreciated the role black papers play in our community.

Technology has been fiercely competing for time we used to reserve for reading. Yet, despite the reading decline, the black press has continued to keep its nose to the ground in order to find the stories that are of importance to us. In return they have been able to maintain bragging rights over a respectable and verifiable group of committed readers. Its subscribers are more likely to spend 45 minutes reading the paper (a sign that all of it is being read), more likely to save copies (especially those that document important or historical events), and more likely to pass them on to other family members than they do traditional papers.

I found this information interesting since I was already considering taking out a subscription being that I buy one weekly from the news box anyway. I do have several back copies of papers and magazines that possess articles I want to keep; and it just so happens I bought an extra copy of this week’s paper to send to my mother because our cousin was being featured.

This year they offered a tribute to some of those who have accomplished great milestones. Ben Jealous, president-elect of the NAACP, Senator Barack and Mrs. Michelle Obama, and hometown legend Muhammad Ali were among those celebrated. It was a timely theme in light of the new wave of second generation publishers on board and a new term on the horizon. I got the sense that a younger, more innovative group is preparing to take traditional journalism to a 21^st century level. Fresh ideas were being introduced throughout the event.

The four-day conference was hosted by our own Louisville Defender. Each day was packed with a mix of workshops, luncheons, and award ceremonies. One of the highlights was a book signing featuring Carl Webber and L. Divine. Another highlight was a prayer breakfast and panel discussion hosted by Simmons Bible College, St. Stephen Church and, the Louisville Defender. It was a delightful and enlightening experience.