Motivator, Educator, Leader- Nettie Coad - She has been a community activist for 30 years, particularly in housing and education inequity. She has been involved in organizing and community revitalization efforts, local government response to social activism, and Klan presence in Greensboro.
Nettie L. “Mama Nettie” Lewis Coad, January 30, 1936 - April 10, 2012
Most of my friends and family do not know about my southern connection with certain people who were our African American history. The reason is they have been living in the north most of their lives or they were born in the north.
As a matter of fact, most of my southern family and friends do not know either. These people may not have been famous to many people, but they paved the way for us to have a better life. That's what makes them famous to me.
The Divine appointment ordained by God. My connection with Ms. Nettie began at the church where she and I were members. This lady was one that was forceful in good way, encouraging others to move forward in their abilities. Ms. Nettie played active roles in some of the plays I wrote and presented at our church.
She saw the potential in me and she urged me to get involve with people in the city who presented live plays such as the Triad Theatre, along with other things she wanted me to be included. It was because of Ms. Nettie that I was able to attend, not just one, but a few “Undoing Racism” workshops.
We would go to the old JC Price building to watch videos about Africans escaping. I was blessed with videos and other materials pertaining to racism, but moving to different places, some were destroyed.
However, I did keep one book she gave me “And don’t call me a racist,” at least I have that one memory of Ms. Nettie along with the memories of her in my heart. This woman so instrumental in my life that when Burnett Ministries. We admired her leadership qualities and how much she cared for the welfare of all people. She was there for us at the onset of Burnett Ministries, and Ms. Nettie became our advisor.
It was Ms. Nettie who introduced me to the late Nelson Johnson who passed on a few days ago, another activist and dear friend of hers.
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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