Skip to content

Jada Coleman

Jada Coleman was a Black American member of the Coleman family, born circa 2000 in Hampton, Virginia. She was the daughter of Nia Coleman and the late Joseph “Jo” Coleman and the younger sister of Parker Joseph Coleman and Matilda “Tillie” Coleman. Her younger sister was Zara Coleman.

Early Life and Background

Jada grew up in the Coleman family home in Hampton. Her father died around 2004, when she was approximately four years old. Her memories of him survived in fragments; she knew more about Jo through family stories and Parker than through her own recollection. After Parker left for Georgetown, Jada and Zara continued sharing a bedroom while Tillie moved into Parker’s former room. In December 2014, Jada was fourteen and in her first year of high school.

Personality

Jada was more openly expressive than her sisters. She regularly played music loudly enough to be heard through the walls of the family home and liked Nicki Minaj. She enjoyed makeup, sometimes read in bed with earbuds in, and spoke directly when she was excited or worried. She understood the family’s financial strain, but had not taken on Tillie’s sense of responsibility for it; when Dinah’s boxes arrived, her excitement came before any worry about accepting help. Her mother valued the sound Jada brought into a house that had become quieter after Jo’s death and Parker’s move away.

Education

Jada was a high-school freshman in December 2014.

Physical Characteristics

By December 2014, fourteen-year-old Jada had grown taller than her younger sister Zara.

December 2014

When four large care packages from Dinah Morgan arrived for Nia and her daughters, Jada called out to her mother, “Mama! Boxes came!” She helped Zara open the boxes and found chocolate, a soft minky blanket, winter clothing, gift cards, and cash. Jada wrapped herself in her new blanket while the family examined the gifts. She also protested when Nia took some of the chocolate, repeating Dinah’s instruction not to share it.

Jada used the gift cards to buy a silver bracelet, new jeans, and makeup at Target. The next morning, she and Zara called Parker during his hospital stay. Jada asked whether his biopsy still hurt and showed him the bracelet. She also told him that she and Zara had overheard Nia seeking quotes for a failing water heater. The replacement would cost fifteen hundred dollars, and the girls had heard about the expense even though Nia had not told them directly. Their call brought the problem to Ty’s attention; Alexander Morgan later sent Nia money for the replacement.

Family and Core Relationships

Nia Coleman

Nia raised Jada and her siblings in Hampton after Joseph’s death. Jada lived with her mother and sisters in the Coleman family home. Their relationship carried the ordinary friction of a fourteen-year-old and a working single mother, without the parentified partnership Nia shared with Tillie.

Joseph “Jo” Coleman

Jo was Jada’s father. She was four when he died and retained only fragmentary memories of him, while Parker and Tillie could tell her more about the man who had raised them.

Parker Joseph Coleman

Parker was Jada’s older brother, seven years her senior. By December 2014, he lived away from the family home and continued sending money to support the household. Jada knew he was sick, though her hospital call focused on whether his biopsy still hurt.

Matilda “Tillie” Coleman and Zara Coleman

Jada was the middle of the three Coleman sisters. Tillie was older, and Zara was younger. After Tillie moved into Parker’s former bedroom, Jada and Zara shared a room.

Memorable Quotes

“Mama! Boxes came!”

Jada announced the arrival of Dinah Morgan’s four December 2014 care packages to Nia.

“Mama! Mrs. Morgan said not to share!”

Jada protested when Nia took a piece of the chocolate Dinah had sent.

Characters Supporting Characters Living Characters Black Characters Black American Characters Coleman Family