FOREWORD

The task of compiling a directory of the colored professional,
clerical, skilled and business interests of Baltimore which shall serve,
at the same time, as a manual of useful information, in general, in-
volves an endless amount of labor. This present issue of the Di-
rectory is more complete and is, therefore, much more useful than
any of the former ones.

The work itself furnishes a striking example of what one can ac-
complish, in spite of serious handicap, if he will set out with indus-
try and determination to do some definite, constructive thing.

Mr. Robert W. Coleman, the compiler, has labored under the
serious disadvantage of having been well-nigh totally blind for some
years—an affliction which has disheartened many otherwise strong
men; however, he has gone to work at his task with cheerfulness
and with an undaunted spirit which show him to possess a marvelous
reserve of industry and courage.

He has, undoubtedly, come into possession of this constructive
industry naturally. He is a Washington (D. C.) boy by birth. His
father was one of the prominent business men of color of the city
a few years back. He is related to some of the most prominent men
who have taken a leading part in the constructive development of
the city, among them being Judge Robert H. Terrell, of the Mu-
nicipal Court of the city. He is a graduate of the Washington Bus-
iness High School.

Mr. Coleman came to Baltimore some years ago, adopted this city
as his home, married Miss Mary Mason of Baltimore, settled down
to rear a family and contribute his share to the community welfare.
He is the father of six lovely girls, the two older, Misses Daisy and
Dorothy, assist their father each year in compiling this book.

The Directory, with very favorable comment, has been placed on
the shelves of the Library of Congress, among the Moreland Collec-
tion in the Carnegie Library at Howard University and other li-
braries.

I am sure that this issue will commend itself upon its merits, not
only to the people of Baltimore, but to people anywhere seeking the
valuable information it possesses, particularly with reference to the
professional, clerical, skilled and business interests of Baltimore City.

PROFESSOR THOMAS W. TURNER,

Howard University.