Born in 1901 in Blackstone, Virginia, Reverend John Milton Coleman became the first African American appointed to the New York City Board of Education. In 1933, Coleman succeeded Reverend C. Peterson Boyd as the rector of St. Philip's Episcopal...
more
Born in 1901 in Blackstone, Virginia, Reverend John Milton Coleman became the first African American appointed to the New York City Board of Education. In 1933, Coleman succeeded Reverend C. Peterson Boyd as the rector of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, New York. A decade later, he became the first African American appointed to the Executive Board of the National Council of St. Andrew of the Episcopal Church. In 1958, New York City Mayor O'Dwyer appointed Coleman to the New York City Board of Education and he was subsequently reappointed to the board by Mayor Wagner, but had to resign after three years due to ill health. He died in 1961. There are nine unbound scrapbooks documenting Coleman's achievements throughout his career. The scrapbooks contain minutes, newspaper clippings, letters, certificates, speeches, reports, press releases, and newsletters primarily related to his work outsite of his pastorate with St. Philip's Episcopal Church. Of special interest are scrapbooks four and nine. Scrapbook four contains letters to Coleman as a member of the Police Brutality Investigation Committee. Scrapbook nine contains a report by the New York City Board of Education Commission on Integration. The report contains a list of members, a questionnaire, and a resolution for action. There are also subcommission reports on zoning, teachers' assignments, personnel, and community relations.
less