Carol A. Coleman

First Black Woman to Graduate from the Scranton Conservatory of Music

CAROL AKERS COLEMAN (1904-2001) was the First Black Women to graduate from the Scranton Conservatory of Music in 1930.  She was the leading pianist and organist in the scranton area.  Although her talents never made it beyond the church or local spaces her impact on the community was far reaching. 

At the young age of 11, in 1915, she became an organist at Shiloh Baptist church. She loved to play and was happy to fill any room with music. “If I go to a church and there is no one to play the organ or the piano” she explained to a Scranton Times reporter, “i just go up and sit down and start playing. Singing is a lot better when there is accompaniment.” 

In addition to playing piano she also loved to teach. Making a 50 year career of it instructing the youth at United Neighborhood Center (aka Progressive Center) 

“I can’t even estimate how many people I’ve taught” shaking her head “but they came from allover the place. I was walking around recently when a cab driver turned around and looked at me. He said, ‘you taught me piano.’ and that happens often I think I must have taught half of Scranton!”  -Scranton Times Interview, 1991

Ms. Coleman was a community leader and activist.  Involved in the Bellevue Community Center, the Abington Baptist Women’s Association,  Church Women United of Lackawanna County, Women’s Auxiliary of American Legion, and other groups and organizations. She also served 21 years as president of the Missionary Society at Shiloh Baptist Church 

Her children also shared her musical talent, Her son Oscar Coleman who lives in Chicago , was accompanist for Melba Moore and Lena Horne. He also was part of the the “The Wiz” orchestra. 

She retired in 1991 at the age of 97 and moved to Albany NY to live with her daughter.  She said” Leaving is not going to be easy.  I’ll turn the pages to another chapter of my life. Yep, Yep, Yep, I’ve got a lot of memories.”