John H. Coleman, Jr., born in 1964, is an African American Vocalist/Lyricist/Boxing Trainer who uses these skills to promote extensive community organizing, event logistics and fundraising experience in Philadelphia. He is one of the most successful soloist artists and boxing trainers involved in Youth Mentoring in Philadelphia, PA. He is currently the Special Youth Events Manager for Van Stone Productions (VSP), Foundation Inc.
Originally from the Mill Creek neighborhood of West Philadelphia his father taught John music, boxing, baseball, and counseling. He attended University City High School.
Coleman Jr., a volunteer youth minister and public safety officer for VSP Foundation since1995, teaches Activism, Change, Public Safety, Athletics in Communities and works with the Organization called the Thoughts of Black Men (TBM). TBM is for men against gun violence in Philadelphia.
Additionally, John became an active member on the Planning Committee from 1998 to 2001. His main activities on the committee were 4-week long pro-active boy’s and men’s discussion groups to bring together male-identified people who wish to learn how to better live family values in the community and in their relationships. Each spring Coleman organized a Food Supply Drive to support the homeless and domestic violence shelters in Philadelphia.From 2001 to 2011, wanting to meet like-minded spiritual volunteers, he co-supported with Minister Van Stone Socializing and Safety for Justice, a group committed to building a stronger youth ministry progressive community. This is a network and movement of putting the “social” back in “social justice”. Community organizers are encouraged to attend the once a week neighborhood safety walk, and to also cross-promote their issues about clearing street corners and alleys on the side of houses from drugs and guns. As of June 2011, John has meet consistently once a week with members at the Centennial Village Nursing Center and has hosted over 6 years of social discussion groups and skill sharing – with countless connections made.
A young John Coleman Jr., used to play baseball and seriously participated in boxing. He joined a well-known Philadelphia boxing unit called the Executioners. Eventually, he incorporated the boxing interest in his community volunteer work with both boys and girls. He began instructing children in beginner boxing, for anti-bullying strategies, outdoors as the Fairmount Park and city parks each summer starting in the summer of 2006. The strategies he has developed were some of the most effective ant-bullying interventions ever.
His dedication to spiritual interests and safety enabled him to receive the prestigious honor of being a part of the Police Clergy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John used athletics and academic education, health and safety education, family services, communications and youth works as a big part of his voluntary work in social-welfare affecting the Philadelphia community.
