Share:
Font Size:

Irma Clark-Coleman (Dist. 5)

Representing: Detroit (part)

Irma Clark-Coleman, D-Detroit, is in her sixth term on the Wayne County Commission after assuming office in 2010. She chairs the Committee on Public Safety, Judiciary and Homeland Security and the Community Corrections Advisory Board. She also serves as a member of the committees on Audit, Government Operations and the Wayne County Land Bank. On February 2015 through October 2018, the commissioner served on the 7-member Detroit Wayne County Metropolitan Airport Authority, which manages and operates Detroit Metro and Willow Run Airports.

Commissioner Clark-Coleman was first elected to the Commission in 2009 after serving for eight years in the Michigan State Senate, 3rd District. Prior to her service in the Senate, she served for two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives for District 11.

While in the State House, she sponsored legislation seeking to improve overall educational standards and opportunities for students. In the Senate, she sponsored legislation to strengthen high school graduation standards. She passed legislation to ease requirements for family members to adopt or become foster parents to children of whom they have custody. In addition, she was a member of the prestigious Senate Appropriations Committee.

Clark-Coleman moved to Detroit from her small rural birthplace in Georgia. She attended Pershing High School and was the first in her family to graduate from college, earning both bachelor and masters degrees from Wayne State University.

In 1967, Clark-Coleman began working for the Wayne County Road Commission in an entry level position. She quickly rose through the ranks to Assistant Public Information Director. She later served as Media Relations Director for County Executive Bill Lucas and Press Secretary to County Executive Ed McNamera. Clark-Coleman retired as Human Relations Director in 1998 and moved to the Michigan Legislature. For the last seven of her 31 years with the county, she simultaneously served on the Detroit School Board, her last 3 years as president.

In 2004, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm appointed Commissioner Clark-Coleman to the National Education Commission of the States, as well as the Cherry Commission on Higher Education. She is also a former member of the National School Board Association Board of Directors, Michigan Association of School Boards of Directors and National Alliance of Black School Educators.

A snapshot of Commissioner Clark-Coleman's civic and political affiliations include: life member NAACP; Living Waters Church Board member; Trade Union Leadership Council; 13th Congressional District Executive Board; Co-Chair of both the United Way, and Detroit Good Fellows Drive. She is a member of Alpha Rho Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Comm. Clark-Coleman has been recognized for her influence in the business community by receiving such honors as: the Michigan Girl Scouts "Tomorrow Power" award; Latino Community Mana de Michigan Adelita (sister) award; the American Business Women Association award; the Women of Wayne State University Alumni Association "1997 Headliner" award; the Women Informal Network "1997 List of 150 Most Influential Black Women in Metro Detroit" award and the "2005 Legislator of the Year" award by the Michigan School Social Workers Association. She was presented with the "2016 Women of Excellence Award" by the Michigan Chronicle.

Staff: Shannon Guyton
Fax: (313) 967-1244

View District Map

News & Events

20
Commission celebrates Black History Month
Commission celebrates Black History Month
Thursday, February 1, 2024
Commissioners celebrated Black History Month on Feb. 1 with a program created by Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman. Singers Marcus and Jonathan Adair and speaker Angela McKinney, all of Living Waters Church, and musician Roland Matthews participated.
Commissioner Clark-Coleman honored during park opening ceremony
Commissioner Clark-Coleman honored during park opening ceremony
Friday, June 23, 2023
Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman was recognized on June 22 by having a pavilion named in her honor at the new Huntington Park within the Marygrove Community in Detroit.
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's newsletter for February 2023
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's newsletter for February 2023
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Newsletter for District 5
Irma Clark-Coleman's newsletter for fall 2021
Irma Clark-Coleman's newsletter for fall 2021
Monday, September 13, 2021
Newsletter for District 5
Commissioner Clark-Coleman spring newsletter
Commissioner Clark-Coleman spring newsletter
Thursday, July 8, 2021
Newsletter for District 5
Commissioner Clark-Coleman providing Thanksgiving dinners to those in need
Commissioner Clark-Coleman providing Thanksgiving dinners to those in need
Friday, November 20, 2020
Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) next week will continue her annual program of donating turkey dinners to those in need, an event she says is more necessary than ever.
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's newsletter for summer 2020
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's newsletter for summer 2020
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Newsletter for District 5
Wayne County Commissioner Clark-Coleman distributes turkey dinners to Detroit families
Wayne County Commissioner Clark-Coleman distributes turkey dinners to Detroit families
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Hundreds of Detroit families received a complete Thanksgiving Dinner courtesy of Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman, Living Waters Church and participating businesses.
Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's fall newsletter
Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's fall newsletter
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Fall newsletter for District 5
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's spring 2019 newsletter
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's spring 2019 newsletter
Friday, March 22, 2019
Spring newsletter for Wayne County Commission District 5
Commissioners Clark-Coleman, Killeen gain appointments
Commissioners Clark-Coleman, Killeen gain appointments
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman was appointed to the Wayne County Community Corrections Advisory Board and Commissioner Tim Killeen was reappointed to the Wayne County Art Institute Authority Board in action by the county commission.
Commissioner Clark-Coleman distributes turkey dinners to families in need
Commissioner Clark-Coleman distributes turkey dinners to families in need
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Wayne County Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman provided holiday meals for more than 300 families
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's 2017 fall newsletter
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's 2017 fall newsletter
Friday, September 22, 2017
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman represents the 5th District, which covers part of north-central Detroit.
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's 2016 fall newsletter
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's 2016 fall newsletter
Monday, October 3, 2016
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman represents the 5th District, which covers part of north-central Detroit.
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's spring 2016 newsletter
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's spring 2016 newsletter
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman represents the 5th District, which covers part of north-central Detroit.
Clark-Coleman appointed as chairwoman of Commission's Committee on Economic Development
Clark-Coleman appointed as chairwoman of Commission's Committee on Economic Development
Monday, January 25, 2016
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman, D-Detroit, has been appointed as chairwoman of the Commission's Committee on Economic Development for the remainder of the 2015-16 term, which ends Dec. 31.
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's fall 2015 newsletter
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman's fall 2015 newsletter
Friday, October 2, 2015
Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman represents the 5th District, which covers part of north-central Detroit.
Commission names Clark-Coleman to Airport Authority board
Commission names Clark-Coleman to Airport Authority board
Thursday, April 30, 2015
The Wayne County Commission voted 14-0 on Feb. 6 to appoint Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman (D-Detroit) to the Wayne County Airport Authority board of directors.
Spring 2015 Newsletter
Spring 2015 Newsletter
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Serving the residents of District 5.
Spring 2013 Newsletter
Spring 2013 Newsletter
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Serving the people of the 5th District. Tight finances require tough decisions