Creative Director & Executive Producer

Suleiman
Wali

Producer · Writer · Creative Director

More than 20 years spanning television news, documentary filmmaking, screenwriting, digital product strategy, and brand communications. His work sits at the intersection of journalism, documentary storytelling, and cultural narrative.

ABC News affiliate, Washington, DC — Senior Producer AOL News — National digital media US State Department · DoD · US Air Force · DHS HuffPost contributor
Suleiman Wali, Creative Director, Lapis Media
Full multimedia portfolio ↗

Two decades at the intersection of journalism and story

Wali's career traces the arc of American media itself — from broadcast newsrooms to the rise of digital, from government communications to independent documentary filmmaking.

Early career
Senior Producer — ABC News affiliate
Washington, DC

Began career in broadcast journalism, developing the editorial instincts and production discipline that would define two decades of work.

Digital era
National Coverage — AOL News
AOL / Digital media

Helped shape national coverage during the pivotal rise of digital media. Forged a strategic partnership with The Gallup Poll and created interactive video formats later adopted by TMZ.

Government media
Creative Director — Federal agency work
US State Department · Dept. of Agriculture · US Air Force · Dept. of Homeland Security

Led multimedia communications for major federal agencies, producing content for audiences in the millions and merging editorial rigor with innovative digital design.

Independent film
Writer, Producer & Host — Documentary work
Lapis Media · Tuti Media · TriVision Studios · NFL Players Association

Wrote, produced, and hosted feature-length documentary We, Too, Are America. Co-created and produced Culturally Incorrect for Tuti Media. Wrote and directed a documentary series for the NFL Players Association. Screenplay When the Dust Settles was a finalist in two international competitions and is currently optioned by Academy Award–winning talent.

Founded
Creative Director & Executive Producer — Lapis Media
Washington, DC

Founded Lapis Media near Washington, DC to restore depth, beauty, and dignity to communities too often defined by how others have chosen to see them — through powerful, human-centered storytelling.

Federal
US State Department
Federal
Dept. of Agriculture
Federal
US Air Force
Federal
Dept. of Homeland Security
We, Too, Are America documentary
Feature documentary
Film

We, Too, Are America

Feature-length historical travel documentary

Uncovers the overlooked Middle Eastern and Muslim connections to Washington, DC — a film that embodies Lapis Media's mission of reclaiming narrative for communities shaped by displacement and misrepresentation.

Role: Written, produced, hosted & co-directed by Suleiman Wali
Status: Currently being pitched to Amazon Prime Video

Watch the trailer
Culturally Incorrect talk show
Talk series
Television

Culturally Incorrect

Three-part talk and editorial series

An acclaimed series exploring Afghan cultural identity, dating, shame, and marriage — produced for Tuti Media and TriVision Studios. Episodes include Afghan Dating, Afghan Shame, Guilt & Judgment, and Afghan Wedding & Marriage Stresses.

Role: Co-creator, writer & producer
Platform: Tuti TV / TriVision Studios

Watch on YouTube ↗
When the Dust Settles screenplay
Screenplay
Narrative film

When the Dust Settles

Feature screenplay

A finalist in two international screenwriting competitions. Currently optioned for production by Academy Award–winning talent.

Role: Writer
Status: Optioned · In development

Essays & journalism on Afghanistan

HuffPost contributor

Widely circulated articles and essays that place Afghan culture, history, and identity in a context rarely offered by mainstream media.

Graduate
Master of Arts — Producing for Film and Video
American University, Washington, DC
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts — Communication & Journalism
The George Washington University, Washington, DC

Work with Suleiman Wali

Twenty years of experience in journalism, documentary, and narrative strategy — available for your next project.

Get in touch View full portfolio ↗