Rasheen L. Coleman
Assistant Director of Development
City Garden Montessori School
Born: Omaha, NE
High School:
Creighton Preparatory School
College & Degree(s):
Morehouse College, BA, Urban Studies
The Bush School at Texas A&M University, MA, Public Service and Administration
Center of Creative Arts (COCA), Associate Board
Charmaine Chapman Leadership Society, United Way of Greater St. Louis
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri, Big Brother
Without Walls, Power of Change Christian Church
SEED Foundation
Your career began in government in Washington, D.C., but you transitioned to non-profit work in St. Louis several years ago. What were the greatest challenges in the transition?
After spending eight years in DC government, the transition to non-profit work was seamless in terms of working hard to make people’s lives better. Working in local government and for non-profits has allowed me the opportunity to see up-close and personal how organizations affect the everyday lives of people. The biggest difficulty was finding a job due to St. Louis being so insular. I quickly found it was about who you knew and not what you knew. With that said, there were people like Orvin Kimbrough and Karen Kalish who introduced me to many change agents in St. Louis.
You’ve given generously of your time locally to Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys’ & Girls’ Club, the Urban League and United Way. What shaped your desire to give back to the community?
I feel a higher calling to give back. After a traumatic and unstable childhood, there were many people at varying points in my life who took a hurt and broken young man under their wings and cultivated me into the man that I am today. They saw in me what I could not see…potential. So it is my duty and desire to inspire young African-American men, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to see and tap into that potential within themselves.
Tell us about Young Men Inspired, the leadership group you founded in the wake of the Ferguson unrest.
After the unrest in Ferguson unrest, I felt I needed to make a contribution to the movement. I realized the best way to do that for me was to start an after-School group for young black men at City Garden Montessori School where I work. City Garden’s strategic goals include dismantling institutional racism and maintaining diversity. Therefore, I saw City Garden as the perfect place to start. I meet with the students of Young Men Inspired (YMI) once per month. We have discussed topics such as being a black man in America, personal finances, the school-to-prison pipeline, and public speaking. The group has also performed a community service project. It is amazing to see these young men excited about becoming game changers in their school, in their families, and in their communities.
You and your wife, Desiree (a Class of 2012 Young Leader) are the parents of two young daughters. How do you both balance significant community involvement with a growing family?
Being active parents with young children is a definitely a balancing act. When First Lady Michelle Obama said that she worried every day if she was making the right decisions for her girls, I could relate. I try to be strategic with my limited free time, and I am intentional about the time I spend with my girls. The Bible says that charity (love) starts at home, so their education and well-being is my first priority. Since charity does not end at home, I also make room to be an advocate and mentor for those who have no voice in our community. This makes me a well-rounded and fulfilled person.
