Ms. Yolonda D. Coleman is a native Washingtonian, poet, author, writer, and member of Black Writers’ Guild, MD and International Society of Poets. She has made appearances on CNN and News Channel 8. Ms. Coleman has received numerous honors throughout her academic career, including a spotlight in the June 1994 issue of Ebony Magazine.     Her style of writing is inspired by literary legendaries, including Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, and Dr. Maya Angelou.

Ms. Coleman first published at the age of 15. Her poem Wake Up can be seen in VOICES FROM THE FUTURE: Children Speak Out About Violence In America. Ms.Coleman’s work have also been published in Train of Thought and Saracen literary magazines. Hampton University's WHOV-FM honored her with an opportunity to spotlight one of her poems in 1997. Ms. Coleman self-published a book of poems entitled A Drop of Brown Sugar in Your Bittersweet Tea which was released in 2001 and was published by BookSurge Publishing. Sugar Rush: Love's Liberation is her first novel which was released in 2005 and was published by BookSurge Publishing.

In 2004, Ms. Coleman packed up her cozy life in Upper Marlboro, MD and moved to Florida when she received word that her mother had cancer. She sold everything from her house to her shower curtains and headed south. During her time in Central Florida, Ms. Coleman continued to teach as she did in D.C.

She then decided to take the advice of her students to step out of the classroom and complete her lifetime dream, commencing Nov. 19, 2004 as her day of liberation. Ms. Coleman's mother wanted nothing more than to see Sugar Rush: Love's Liberation published, but she died the day before Ms. Coleman's birthday. Her resolve was even greater, and she proudly boasts that Sugar Rush: Love's Liberation was completed with her mother's spirit guiding her.




Ms. Coleman has appeared at Karibu “WRITE NOW” Inde Pen Series, 2007 Afrocentric Book Expo, Empowerment Fair and Tailgate Party, Black Press Conference’s Author’s Pavilion, Alumni Weekend, Hampton University Homecoming Sorority Reception, Freeman's Barber Shop Fundraiser Book Signing, Fall Extravaganza Book Signing hosted by Andreas Candle Creations, Howard Univ. Book Store Independent Authors Book Signing, Sisters In The Spirit II Book Club, Three N One Barber Hair and Nail Salon, Panache Hair Designs Book Signing, Heaven 1580 Book Fair, Spring Vendor Fair, Christ Chapel, The Graham Collection, and many other venues.