LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lenora Coleman was nominated by Michael Walker, a member of the community.

What Dr. James J. O'Connell (author of STORIES FROM THE SHADOWS) is to health care for the homeless, Ms. Lenora Coleman is, indubitably, to education in the community, as well as in her school building. Her visionary work is curiously magical and a powerful act of witness to the destinies of children and families long after they are out of her direct tutelage. It is because of the enduring way that her brilliance inspires others to do such transformational work on themselves that she is a LifeChanger in her community. Talking with her is a compelling invitation to learn. It is remarkable to see how young adults are living positive lives and attribute much of their positive direction to her early influence. In the last 16 months, for instance, she has given her peers books from Sharon Robinson, Lisa Delpit, Cornel West, Lori Arviso Alvord, Linda Goss, Vivian Gussin Paley,Anne Streaty Wimberly, Audre Lorde, Patrice Gaines, Hollis Robbins and Henry Louis Gates, to name a few.