NAACP banquet speaker: Don't settle for 'enough'

MANSFIELD — Mansfield's NAACP local branch held its 35th Annual Life Membership Banquet Saturday evening at the Life Celebration Center.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. Victor Coleman, Jr. from Toledo, Ohio. Coleman is a motivational speaker and his topic was "Enough is Just Enough."

Coleman grew up in Toledo and spoke about growing up in impoverishment, being associated with drugs and gangs, being held back in the second grade and battling low self-esteem.

"In my teenage years, I struggled with self-esteem, reading and writing, my father not being present, my stepdad was addicted to drugs and my mom working 2-3 jobs so she can provide to keep us out the projects," said Coleman, during his speech.

Coleman was arrested at 15 for stealing his parents' car and started selling marijuana. Coleman described his years as a youth as being in an "identity crisis." Even while working for a public utility company, he continued to hustle and sell drugs in the streets.

After receiving a picture from his younger brother in 2009 of his youngest son holding $10,000, which was drug money, Coleman decided to give up the street life for good. While pursuing his PhD, Coleman said while speaking with his son on the phone he said to him, "Talk to you later future Dr. Coleman."

That motivated Coleman to continue pursuing his PhD.

"My son spoke life into me," said Coleman. "That changed my life forever. I was willing to settle for just enough. The bachelor's degree was just enough. The supervisor position was just enough. I decided that I was tired of just enough and I needed to take it to the next level."

In 2010, Coleman graduated from Full Sail University with a bachelor's degree in Entertainment Business. In 2013, he received his master's degree in entertainment business. In 2019, he defended his dissertation on cross-ethnic mentoring, completing his PhD in business management, specializing in leadership.

Coleman founded the V.J. Coleman Jr. Flight School in 2010, a coaching and mentoring organization that continues to encourage others to take flight in their own spiritual, physical and mental destinations as they pursue success.

In 2019, Coleman also put in place Flying Financially Free, a financial literacy course where he educates others on budgeting, credit, debt payoff, and real estate.

Overall, Coleman stressed to the audience to stop settling for just enough.

"I challenge you to do more in the community," said Coleman. "Help your neighbor and make a difference in the lives of young people and older people."

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: NAACP banquet speaker Coleman: Don't settle for 'enough'