Pride in one’s work and work ethic is an admirable quality.
It is certainly an attribute to be respected. Some people acquire it gradually over a process of work situations and supervision while some are taught at an early age through parental guidance. Others, however they came across it, wear it like regal adornment.
Such is the case of Mr. Leroy Colley Sr.
By KEVIN ‘CHILL’ HEARD
Managing Editor
Pride in one’s work and work ethic is an admirable quality.
It is certainly an attribute to be respected. Some people acquire it gradually over a process of work situations and supervision while some are taught at an early age through parental guidance. Others, however they came across it, wear it like regal adornment.
Such is the case of Mr. Leroy Colley Sr.
Colley served as advertising director in Cleveland at the Call and Post from 1987 to 1991. Eager to tell his story, he displays the very mantle of a man whose life has been dedicated to standing tall in the face of adversity. Colley’s life, his story and his spiritual journey led him to pen his experiences in an autobiography, “Born to Make a Difference.”
After a tumultuous tenure at Cook United, Colley had been a survivor, standing bloody but unbowed under the most difficult of work environments. Oddly enough, it was a trailblazing pioneer in the entertainment field that got Colley hired in the first place.
None other than Sammy Davis Jr., sent Colley to Cook United to add diversity to its pallid personnel.
Cook United Inc. was one of the country’s largest home-service route supermarket and discount department store chains. Cook United acquired a chain of Pick-n-Pay supermarkets (that later became Finast).
While at Cook, Colley made sure that the Call and Post was included in the company’s advertising budget, much to the chagrin of many of his supervisors.
So impressed by his efforts in getting ad dollars for the newspaper, Colley says that C&P President Harry Alexander personal made the offer to him to serve as the paper’s advertising director.
Colley smiles as he relates that Alexander was happy to make the offer but concerned that taking Colley away from Cook United could lead to the C&P losing them as a much needed advertiser. For a while, Colley did double duty between the two jobs until the stress of Cook United’s hostile work environment became too much to bare.
Colley proudly and ardently worked at the Call and Post until taking a job with the newly elected mayor of his own Maple Heights community.
As we reconnect with more and more of our former employees, the Call and Post is proud to have been a part of Ohio’s human story. Day by day, we come into contact with those who have served in the efforts “The People’s Paper.”
’s newspaper through the eyes of its employees. It’s time for you to stand up and be counted. Be a part of the history that you or your family helped to build. If you worked for the Call and Post newspaper in any capacity, or know someone who did, email us at Info@call-post.com or give us a call at (216) 588-6700.
Yes, we are still looking for you!
