Paducah Bank’s Board of Directors presented a $2,500 check to the McCracken County Community Career Endowment (MCCCE) in memory of former city commissioner Robert Coleman and his activist wife, Constance. The MCCCE was created in 2006 by the late Fred Paxton to support career development for minorities and under-served individuals.
“The MCCCE Board of Directors is honored to receive this donation from Paducah Bank as they honor the memory and legacy of Robert and Connie Coleman,” commented Don Mitchell. “As Executive Director of MCCCE, I will be recommending we utilize these funds to continue our African American Teacher Recruitment Program. This program provides a $1,000.00 bonus to newly hired, certified African American teachers/administrators/counselors in the Paducah Independent and McCracken County School Districts. We have provided funds to 13 teachers to date as we work to help both districts employ more African Americans to teach and serve as role models for our students.”
The Paducah Bank Board selects an organization each year at their December meeting and voted unanimously to support the MCCCE and the Colemans.
“I am delighted that our Board of Directors chose The McCracken County Community Career Endowment for their annual charitable gift," said Framptom. "Paducah Bank applauds the great efforts by MCCCE to meet the needs of minority and under-served persons in our community, especially during this time a great needs. I know that Robert and Constance would be very pleased.”
MCCCE board member and long-time friend of Robert and Connie Coleman also expressed her gratitude. “Recently our city lost two amazing citizens who shared their time and talents with others, said Carol Young. "Mrs. Coleman had a love and passion for young people. She formed “The Girls of Paducah 4-H Club” to enable the girls to learn things not learned in school or even at home sometimes. She taught them to set a table, cook and serve a meal, to sew, to crochet and much more. She introduced them to golf, tennis, swimming, and even public speaking. Her 4-H members were regular winners in competitions they entered. They were a team, and our city was blessed to have two caring and loving citizens touch so many lives. They left Paducah better because of their dedication to helping others. We are very grateful for this contribution from Paducah Bank to further the work of the Colemans.”
Robert Coleman was Paducah’s longest-serving elected city official. He was the city’s second African American city commissioner and served on the council for 31 years. Coleman was also a veteran trade unionist and a member of the National Association of Letter Carriers. Coleman joined the USPS in 1961 and retied in 1998. Robert Coleman chaired the NALC’s national scholarship program, as well as the state affiliate’s executive board among many, many other community and civic endeavors.
"Robert Coleman was one of our community's largest champions," said Paducah Bank Board Director Glenn Denton. "His life and service made Paducah, McCracken County, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky a better place. Perhaps this donation to the endowment will help assist another champion to take up his good work. We can certainly hope so."
Photo provided by The Paducah Sun