Lionel cut his teeth at CBS news, learning the language of storytelling before becoming a DGA commercial director. Whether documenting the aftermath of an earthquake from an open helicopter, directing celebrity athletes for brands like Nike, Ford, & Adidas, or filming the moment a life is brought into the world for Huggies, Lionel is working to capture performances that make us human. 

In addition to his commercial and episodic television work, Coleman has also directed three films. The first, took place during a live performance featuring comedian Margaret Cho titled, I’m the One That I Want, the second, a short film based on the sex trafficking industry titled, False Promise, and the third, These Final Hours, inspired by the rage over the public murders or George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others who are guilty of a little more than being black in America.