Prior to becoming state Senator Coleman served in the Alabama House of Representatives and served on the Birmingham City Council for 12 years. She taught children with disabilities for 12 years in the Birmingham School System.

Her civic involvements include Birmingham’s Parks & Recreation Board, Greater Birmingham Visitors & Convention Bureau, Birmingham’s Neighborhood Association, and Red Cross disaster volunteer. She has been recognized by numerous organizations for her civic and political contributions.

Currently Senator Coleman serves on the boards of Positive Maturity, Birmingham Regional American Red Cross, Alabama Institute for the Deaf & Blind (Birmingham Region), and The Alabama Head Injury Foundation. She is a member of the National Conference for State Legislators (NCSL), National Organization of Black Elected Officials (NOBEL), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), and is a member of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Senator Coleman serves as the State Director for the National Foundation for Women Legislators and Corresponding Secretary for the National (NFWL). She also serves a special faculty for Rutgers University, Project 2012 Center for American Women and Politics which encourages women to run for public office at all levels.

Senator Coleman is the Director of American with Disabilities (ADA) for the City of Birmingham and is a licensed Realtor. She holds a Bachelors Degree from Alabama A&M University and a Masters Degree for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a member of the Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.