Coleman, Louis, Jr.
(born: 1943 - died: 2008)Reverend Louis Coleman, Jr., from Louisville, KY, was one of Kentucky's most recognized civil rights activist and an outspoken advocate. He was inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame in 2000.
Coleman was a graduate of Central High School, Kentucky State University (K-State) and Presbyterian Theological Seminary (now Louisville Seminary). He played baseball and football at K-State and later signed to play professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Coleman helped lead the lawsuit that challenged the lack of African American coaches in Kentucky high schools. He called for the boycott of Pepsi products from the Winchester, KY, plant because of complaints concerning the plants' lack of hiring and retention of African American employees. Rev. Coleman advocated fairness and equality throughout the state of Kentucky as head of the Justice Resource Center in Louisville.
For more see A. Clark, "Rev. Louis Coleman dies," Lexington Herald-Leader, 7/06/2008; and K. Cengal, "Civil rights activist Louis Coleman is dead," Louisville Courier-Journal, 7/05/2008.