Coleman's writing is centered on racism and the outcast status of living below the poverty line in California, notably her long-time home, Los Angeles. She is the author of 20 books of poetry and prose. Her topics are frequently contentious, and her tone is unrepentant. She has been criticized for her failure to meet the income requirements for food stamps during some of her more prosperous years. In addition to being a poet, novelist, and journalist, Coleman was also a social justice activist who fought against racial segregation and inequality throughout her life. She was a leading voice in the Black Power movement and helped organize many large protests around Los Angeles. Coleman began writing poems at an early age and never stopped. By the time she reached high school graduation, she had published several poems in local newspapers. After graduating from Howard University with a degree in English literature, she moved to Los Angeles where she has lived ever since. During the 1960s, Coleman became one of the leading voices of the Black Power movement in America. She organized many large protests against police brutality and other forms of discrimination faced by African Americans. In 1967, she helped found the Black Panther Party with Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. They worked together to bring attention to issues surrounding racism and police violence against black people.