At least it was a start and provided an opportunity to climb.
Coleman said African Americans would select items from the other parts of the store, take them to the basement and wait in a line because they wanted to show support for his father.
Born in 1954, Coleman has vivid memories of segregationist policies: water fountains, busses, schools.
“I remember whites’ only drinking fountains, and knowing me and my inquisitive mind, I wanted to drink out of it to see if there was any difference between the water,” he recalled.
Even Coleman’s youth team was prevented from playing in the Gator Bowl, which was supposed to be a reward earned by all city champs.