16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman seeking re-election
Stephanie Coleman, 16th Ward Alderman, wants to continue the work she started
when she took office in 2019 and is running for re-election. PHOTO PROVIDED BY STH MEDIA.
Stephanie Coleman has been the 16th Ward Alderman since 2019. Coleman represents Englewood, West Englewood, Chicago Lawn, Back of the Yards, New City and Marquette Park. She described it as the “Greatest Ward in the City of Chicago.”
Coleman has been an advocate of bringing investments back to Englewood, and communities like it. She has heard people talk about the resources and opportunities that contributed to it being a thriving community, retail along 63rd and Halsted, movie theaters and banks. She believes that Englewood is the heartbeat of the city of Chicago and wants generations after her to know about its thriving past and has hope for a thriving resurgence of the community.
Coleman wants people who live in the 16th Ward to be able to go outside and enjoy their community. With the investments in schools, infrastructure and public safety, she believes it will bring about investment in housing. She wants people to come back into the community.
In August 2014, Coleman decided she wanted to run for public office. It was the announcement that Whole Foods would build a location in Englewood. She researched the incentives from the Tax Increment Funding that were involved in the development of the Whole Foods, which she believed would have been better served by investments in schools in the community. Six years later, Whole Foods has closed their Englewood location, leaving the community. “The reason why I ran is now the reason I’m going to continue to fight. Because Black communities deserve quality, affordable groceries. I don’t accept anything less,” she said.
Coleman believes that the biggest challenge is bringing back hope and investment to the 16th Ward. The Englewood she remembers is not the same as the one that is the subject of negative narratives. The one she remembers is the one that reveres it Elders, is connected to the community and provides spaces for families to flourish.
Coleman’s father, David, is a Pastor and her mother, Shirley, is the Pastor and Founder of Spiritual Wholistic Ministries of Love & Faith. Her foundation is faith-based and serving the community.
Eight months in Coleman’s first term, she had to learn how to pivot. She learned to be effective in a different way, she utilized tools to keep in contact with the residents in the Ward, which included doing wellness checks by phone to the Seniors in the community, as well as increasing the media and newsletters going out to residents. During the pandemic, Coleman’s Ward was one of the first to get a COVID-19 Vaccination site at Access Health, and provided masks to residents.
During her time as Alderman, Coleman has been working to maintain the integrity of a working Black community. Montclare Senior Residences of Englewood, a 102-unit building for adults, 62 and older, opened at 63rd and Green. Hope Manor II and Hope Manor Village are affordable housing for Veterans and Civilians and is located within the 16th Ward.
Coleman also is working on financial literacy for young adults. She believes that West Englewood and Englewood will see a resurgence in homeownership. She also would like to see more Black and Brown owned businesses within the Ward.
“I love Englewood, I’m never leaving, I’m never giving up. I want my grandchildren’s children to see the works of what Anna Langford did, what Shirley Coleman did, what Jim Taylor worked for, what Joanne Thompson died for. When I think of the rich history and legacy, I have the opportunity to serve in the same Ward as the first African American woman served in this very same Ward. It is my assignment to fulfill their legacy and make them proud,” she said.
For more information about 16th Ward Alderman Stephanie Coleman, visit 16thWard.org.
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