Asheville Living Treasure: Jessie Nell Coleman

Jessie Nell Coleman is a community organizer and activist. Photo: Urban News

Staff Reports

Jessie Nell Coleman is a caring, compassionate activist and community organizer, a champion supervisor and guardian in the economic, physical, and social revitalization of her neighborhood.

As a founder of the West End/Clingman Ave. Neighborhood Association (WECAN), she has been a continuing force in bonding and uniting neighbors of every race, age, income, and walk of life. Under her leadership WECAN became an effective and influential community organization involved in community clean-ups, Adopt-a-Highway, and garden club projects.
 

Recently the group engaged in the construction of the Clingman Streetscape Project; promoted public input and voiced ideas for the I-26 connector project and the re-opening of the pedestrian bridge to Hillcrest; participated in the Aston Gateway Community Board, and brought new playground equipment to Aston Park.

Jessie leads by example, using her talents as a “green thumb” gardener, wise teacher, insightful community builder, and voice of courage and reason. She is also a trumpeting voice for the elderly and frail who are in need of housing assistance, for the unemployed in need of jobs, and for children who need firm love and an enriched learning environment.

Her professional life includes her work with the Head Start Program (Community Action Opportunities), and she continues to serve, as a board member for WECAN and Mountain Housing Opportunities. She is an active church member at River of Life church in West Asheville.

More WECAN plans are underway for 2011, and Jessie will be there with her insight, vision, wisdom and guiding hand. Her presence will continue to have a positive impact on projects that come her way, and she will continue to make things happen. Jessie is a woman of spirit with a generous heart, who many refer to as their beloved Grandma Nell.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,
it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead