title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF JAMES COLE FOUNDER OF SHINE KING
WHEREAS, James Cole was born in Humboldt, Tennessee, to sharecroppers Gertie and Vernon Cole; and
WHEREAS, James Cole and his family arrived in Chicago around ninth grade and he attended Marshall High School on the West Side; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole’s entrepreneurial streak was evident early on. He would shine shoes outside a pool hall at Madison Street and Kedzie Avenue to make some money for extra curricula activities; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole’s first brick-and-mortar business was at a record store at 3205 W. Madison St. By 1964, he started renting the store himself; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole’s Shine King store has become a vestige in the community. His stores have provided jobs for people in the community. His shops have also been a safe haven where people network, shoot the breeze with friends, and have a laugh; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole has inspired a generation of entrepreneurs. He was a generous man who believed in helping those who were at-risk, neglected, and forgotten by society. Those who needed a second chance; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole’s business was successful enough to allow him to expand his entrepreneurship into real estate, roofing and tailoring; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole is survived by his daughters Karen, Darlene and Ariel, sons Steve and Jameson, 25 grandchildren and his great-grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of James Cole; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of James Cole as a sign of our honor and respect.
end