Representative, Texas State House of Representatives, District 147, 1991-2022

Former Member, Calendars Committee, Texas State House of Representatives

Former Member, Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, Texas State House of Representatives

Chair, Legislative Study Group

Chair Emeritus, Texas Legislative Black Caucus

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Apartments for America, Incorporated, 1999-present

Shareholder, Peacole Ice Cream, 1987-present

Urban Politics Lecturer, University of Saint Thomas, present

Owner, Coleman Strategies, 1997-present

Field Director, Clinton/Gore Presidential Campaign, Harris County, 1992

Business Development Counselor, Office of Minority Business Affairs, Austin, 1990-1991

Staff Assistant, Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations, 1990

Congressional Intern, United States Representative Mickey Leland, 1981

Member, Advisory Board, Campfire Boys and Girls, present

Member, Board of Directors, Interfaith Ministries, present

Board Member, DePelchin Children's Center, present

Advisory Board, Houston Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, present

Member, Houston Children's Museum Advisory Board, present

Member, National Mental Health Association, present

Creator, Operation SMART Youth Development Program, present

Board Member, Progressive States Network, present

Board Member, South Central Young Mens' Christian Association (YMCA), present

Board Member, The Ensemble Theater, present

Board Member, Third Ward Redevelopment Council Member, National Mental Health Association, present

Volunteer, United Negro College Fund, present

Member, University Oaks Civic Association, present

Board Member, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

Sustaining Member, Harris County Democratic Party

Board Member, Midtown Re-development Authority

Life Member, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), present

Former Member, State Legislators for Health Reform

Sustaining Member, Texas Democratic Party

Delegate, Democratic National Convention, 1992

Founder, S.M.A.R.T. Kids, 1991

Precinct Chair, Democratic Precinct Convention, 1990

Delegate, State Democratic Convention, 1988

Awards:

Progressive States Network Outstanding Board Leadership Award, 2011
Human Rights Campaign John Walzel Political Equality Award, 2007
Eli Lilly Reintegration Award, 2005
National HIV/AIDS Partnership Red Ribbon Award, 2005
Outstanding Black Caucus Chair, 2004
Center for Voting and Democracy/ Common Cause Hero of Democracy Award, 2003
Governing Magazine, Public Officials of the Year List, 2001
Hispanic Journal Ten Best Legislators List, 2001
Center for Policy Alternatives, Arthur Flemming Award, 2001
Families USA Foundation Consumer Advocate Award, 2000
National Black Caucus of State Legislators Legislator of the Year, 2000
American Psychiatric Association Jacob R. Javits Public Service Award, 1997
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Distinguished Service Award, 1997
ACOG Texas Women's Health Hero Award, 2018
Most Valuable Legislator of the Texas 85th Legislative Session, Texas Association of Community Schools
Texas Association of Community Schools Most Valuable Legislator of the Texas 85th Legislative Session, 2017
Texas Psychological Association, Outstanding Legislative Contribution, 2017
Meadows Mental Health Institute Legislative Champion, 2017
The Montrose Center Community Vision Award, 2017
Texas School Nurses Association Leadership Recognition, 2017
Houston Chronicle Winner of the 85th Session Award, 2017
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day Star Award, 2017
Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Justice Champion Award, 2017
Meadows Mental Health Foundation's Okay to Say Leadership Award, 2016
Texas Press Association Champion of Transparency Award, 2016
El Dorado Society Club Outstanding Service Achievement Award, 2016
Texas Occupational Therapy Association Legislator of the Year, 2015
Texas Association of Counties Champion of County Government Award, 2011
Texas Suicide Prevention Council Public Policy Leadership Award, 2015 and 2011
Champion of County Government, 2013 and 2011
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Women's Health Champion Award, 2012
Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas Best in House, 2011 and 2009
Texas Hospital Association Advocacy Tribute Award, 2011, 2009, 2007 and 1999
Center for Public Policy Priorities Hobby Visionary Award, 2010
Texas Medical Association Friend of Medicine Award, 2010
Capitol Inside Honorable Mention in Best of the Legislature, 2009
Cenikor Annual Elected Official Award, 2009
The Gathering Place's Founder's Award, 2009
Harris County Medical Society Patient Care Champion Award, 2009
Mental Health America of Greater Houston Legislative Award, 2009
Texas Academy of Family Physicians Patient Advocacy Award, 2009 and 1999
Texas Association of Counties Champion of County Government Award, 2009
Texas Observer named People's Friend, 2009
Texas State Nurses Organization President's Award, 2008
Children at Risk Legislator of the Year for Children, 2007
Texas Monthly Ten Best Legislators List, Honorable Mention, 2007, 1999 and 1997
Texas Progressive Alliance Legislator of the Year, 2007
Texas Southern University Jordan Leland School of Public Affairs George "Mickey" Leland Community Leadership Award, 2007
Texas State Employees Unions and the Working People of Texas for Human Services Award, 2007
Texas Democratic Women Oscar Mauzy Humanitarian Award, 2006
American Cancer Society Texas Advocacy Award, 2005, 2001
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Texas Chapter Legislator of the Year, 2005
Texas Southern University Mickey Leland Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005
Texas Public Health Association Outstanding Legislator Award, 2004
The Houston Association of Black Psychologist Legislator of the Year, 2002
Trees for Houston Arbor Day Award, 2002
Children At Risk Voice for Children Award, 2001
Coalition of Texans with Disabilities Public Servant of the Year, 2001
Houston Advocates for Mental Health in Children Child Builders Building Blocks Award, 2001
Mental Health Association of Greater Houston Legislator of the Year, 2001
Texas Association of Community Health Centers Health Care Champion, 2001
Texas Association on Mental Retardation (TAMR) Horizon Award, 2001 and 1998
Texas Monthly Ten Best Legislators List, 2001 and 1995
Texas Recreation and Park Society Distinguished Legislator Award, 2001
Texas Southern University Appreciation Award, 2001
Women Legislators' Lobby Women's Health Leader, 2001
Houston Community College Trailblazer Award, 2000
Mental Health Association in Texas Ring of Honor Inductee, 2000
Texas Council of Community MHMR Centers Inc. and Texas Community Services Coalition Legislator of the Year, 2000
Texas Family Planning Association Leadership Award, 2000
Texas Freedom Network Hero for Children, 2000
Texas Human Rights Foundation Policy Advocate, 2000
Texas Physical Therapy Association Legislator of the Year, 2000
Texas Recreation & Parks Society Legislator of the Year, 2000
Texas Southern University Presidential Award, 2000
VA Medical Center Appreciation Award, 2000
Mental Health Association in Texas Legislator of the Year, 1999
Texas Academy of Family Physicians Patient Advocacy Award, 1999
Texas Association of Community Health Centers State Health Care Champion Award, 1999
Texas Association of Community Health Centers Legislator of the Year, 1999
Texas Association for Home Care People's Choice Award, 1999
Texas Hospital Association Hospital Advocacy Tribute Award, 1999
Texas Medicine Best Legislators Award, 1999
Texas Mental Health Association Legislator of the Year, 1999
Texas Monthly Ten Best Legislators List, Honorable Mention, 1999 and 1997
AIDS Action Leadership Award, 1998
Texas Council of Child Welfare Boards Legislator of the Year, 1998
Texas School Health Association John P. McGovern Award, 1998
Planned Parenthood of Houston & Southeast Texas Legislative Award, 1997
Texas Alliance for the Mentally Ill Legislator of the Year, 1997 and 1995
Texas Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Legislator of the Year, 1997
Texas Committee to Prevent Child Abuse Legislator of the Year, 1997
Texas Network of Youth Services Merit Award, 1997
Texas Rehab Action Network Legislator of the Year, 1997
Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation Outstanding Service Award, 1996
University of St. Thomas Outstanding Young Alumni Leadership Award, 1996
Prairie View A&M University Distinguished Public Service Award, 1995 and 1993
Texas Association for the Education of Young Children Elected Official of the Year, 1995
Texas Mental Health Consumers Role Model of the Year, 1995
Texas Observer Top Legislators, 1995