By BusinessPro Consulting
More Than Black History Month
Every February, we celebrate Black History Month by honoring the leaders, pioneers, and trailblazers who shaped our nation. Their stories matter.
But so do ours.
One thing I’ve come to believe is that history doesn’t only belong in museums or textbooks. It lives around our dinner tables, in family photo albums, and in the stories passed from one generation to the next. Every family has a legacy worth preserving.
That’s why this conversation is so special to me.
In this episode of It’s Just Business with Lovie™, I sit down with my father, John H. Coleman Jr., to talk about the life he’s lived, the lessons he’s learned, and the legacy he’s leaving behind. He is the author of A View from Church Hill: I Woke Up in My Right Mind, a memoir that captures decades of service, entrepreneurship, faith, and community leadership.
Long before I became a business owner, I was learning business by working alongside him. We didn’t always agree. In fact, we probably disagreed more often than not. Looking back, I realize that’s because we’re more alike than either of us likes to admit. Those moments taught me lessons that no classroom ever could.
Our conversation explores a life defined by service.
John served twelve years in the United States Navy before beginning a distinguished career in law enforcement. Throughout Southeastern Virginia, many people came to know him as Officer Friendly because of his commitment to building trust between police officers and young people. His work eventually led to the development of the nationally distributed Officer Friendly classroom program through the Sears Foundation, helping educate children and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they served.
His commitment to service didn’t stop there.
Over the years, he became an entrepreneur, helping build multiple businesses, including a record store, a catering company, Images Incorporated, and the first Cold Stone Creamery in Hampton, Virginia. He also dedicated countless hours to mentoring young people, serving his church, and giving back through organizations like the NAACP, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans.
But this episode isn’t just about accomplishments.
John shares how childhood experiences shaped his character, how one compassionate police officer changed his perspective on law enforcement, and why treating people with dignity became the foundation of both his career and his life.
As we talked, I was reminded that our family stories matter. They preserve lessons that might otherwise be forgotten. They remind us where we come from, what we’ve overcome, and the values we hope to pass on.
Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or simply reflecting on your own journey, I hope this conversation encourages you to ask questions, record stories, and preserve the legacy that’s already being written within your own family.
Because our history isn’t just something we celebrate once a year.
It’s something we live every day.
If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe to It’s Just Business with Lovie™ for candid conversations with entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers who are building businesses, strengthening communities, and leaving a lasting legacy.
Follow the show on your favorite podcast platform, share this episode with someone who values family history, and join us next week for another conversation that reminds us business is never just about what we do. It’s also about the people, purpose, and stories behind it.
