Acting Governor Way has ordered that U.S. and New Jersey flags be flown at half-staff from Friday through Sunday in honor of Justice James H. Coleman Jr., who passed away last week at the age of 91. Justice Coleman was a trailblazer in the judiciary, being the first Black Justice to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1994 to 2003.
Born the son of a sharecropper in racially segregated Virginia, Justice Coleman broke down racial barriers throughout his career. Prior to his appointment to the Supreme Court, he served at nearly every level of the state judiciary, including historic appointments as the first Black workers’ compensation judge and as the first Black jurist to sit on the Appellate Division.
Acting Governor Way said, “Justice Coleman was a trailblazer within the New Jersey judiciary. His historic appointment to the New Jersey Supreme Court broke down racial barriers by demonstrating that communities of color could be represented at the highest levels of our judiciary. We extend our condolences to his loved ones and will forever be grateful for his extraordinary life of service.”
Justice Coleman is survived by his wife, Sophia, and two children, Kairon and James. His life and service will be remembered and celebrated this weekend as flags fly at half-staff across the state.