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A former editor of Ebony has decided to strike out on her own. Award-winning magazine editor Lynn Norment recently announced the formation of her company, Lynn Norment Media. According to Target Market News, Lynn Norment Media will offer media relations and editorial services to individuals, agencies and corporations.

Norment already has some A-list client. She recently worked with Carol H. Williams Advertising, one of the nation’s largest African-American and female-owned full-service advertising agencies. Norment advised the president/CEO on media issues for the agency and its clients. She also  helped to execute various projects for clients that included the U.S. Army, AARP, the Chicago Teacherr’s Union and FELD Entertainment.

Norment made her mark in media at Ebony, where she was editor for a number of years. In 2009, Norment was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in recognition of her accomplishments and contributions to journalism.

Norment, who taught journalism courses at Columbia College Chicago, continues to mentor young journalists.

With the launch of her new media company Norment is in good company. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the public relations industry will grow faster than other industries. Twenty-one percent percent in fact.

Drowning statistics in the United States are sobering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ten people die from accidental drowning every day and, of those, two are children aged 14 and younger. What’s worse is that this crisis disproportionately affects monitory communities. African-American children aged five to 14 are three times more likely to drown than their white counterparts, says the CDC.

In the face of such depressing trends, Talia Mark has made it her mission to attack the problem head-on. As the Manager of Multicultural Marketing for USA Swimming, it is her job – and her passion – to generate interest in swimming and create awareness for the importance of water safety, particularly among blacks and Latinos. And it’s a sweet gig. She jets around the country with Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones, organizing community swim events and private lessons with black and brown kids, and she just spearheaded a partnership between USA Swimming and the sorority Sigma Gamma Rho to spread the water gospel even wider. (Jones will also be on the “Make a Splash” tour come 2013.)

While it may seem like a responsibility too large for the 29-year-old Michigan native, Mark is cruising confidently on comfortable terrain. Before joining USA Swimming, she served as the Manager of Diversity Affairs for NASCAR, similarly working to increase minority interest in a sport that many of us overlook. Recently, we sat down with Mark to discuss her career path, why she’s so committed to getting more folks into the pool, and her advice for other aspiring women.

Madame Noire: You’ve held some pretty high profile positions at both NASCAR and USA Swimming. Did you always have a dream to work in sports?

Talia Mark: Actually, I wanted to go into event planning, but nobody told me out of high school that public relations was not event planning. So I studied public relations at Central Michigan University.

My first internship was with a place called PineRest Christian Mental Health Institution. One day my best friend called me because she was doing an internship at this place called TCG Campbell in Dearborn, MI, and they were having this big crisis. She was calling me to see how to fix it, and when I got off the phone with her I was like, “Look, I don’t know what it is that you’re doing, but I want to do that. This is not where I want to be, and I can’t sit in the office everyday.’ And come to find out, she was working with the Ford Racing team.

A couple weeks later I was able to get an interview with TCG Campbell, and they asked which department I wanted to work in. I was 20 years old, and I just knew that I wanted to travel, so they put me in racing.

MN: Did you have any preconceived notions about NASCAR or racing, in general, before you took the position?

TM: Honestly, I didn’t even know what NASCAR was. I had no idea. My first race was at Talledega, AL. That was my first experience, and it was actually during the taping of Talledega Nights, and I absolutely fell in love with it. It was so big, and so loud, and so fast, and everybody was so nice. There was just so much happening that I couldn’t go back. I ended up staying at TCG Campbell for about 2 ½ years.

MN: How did you move from NASCAR to USA Swimming at the beginning of 2011?

TM: In my last position at NASCAR, I was the Manager of Diversity Affairs, so my overall goal was to get more people interested in the sport who weren’t previously interested. The goal was to bring opportunities to diverse communities that may not have thought about racing as a viable option for entertainment or for job opportunities.

Going into the Olympic year, USA Swimming knew that the world is evolving and its much more diverse, and since they are the leaders in the Olympic movement, they wanted to be ahead of the curve in terms of diversity. So they were looking for someone to develop a multicultural marketing plan and reach out to people who may not swim. Essentially I was doing the same thing at NASCAR, but now there was the chance that I could actually help save someone’s life.

MN: How did you get the call? Did you have to actually apply?

TM: I had a number of people – some of my mentors and other people that I know in the sports industry – tell me that USA Swimming was really looking to promote diversity in swimming and they asked if it was something I would be interested in.

MN: That’s interesting because I think a lot of people are still relying on filling out job applications to get hired, but it doesn’t often happen that way, does it?

TM: No, I don’t think I’ve ever filled out a job application.

MN: So what advice do have for others to best position themselves for career opportunities?

TM: I think the first thing is to recognize opportunities. When I first took the job at NASCAR in Florida, my grandmother told me not to do it. She said it was far from family, far from my home, far from everything that I knew. But you have to have confidence in yourself, and let that fear go. A lot of people don’t want to let go of what’s comfortable.

Secondly, networking is going to be a big thing. When I first got into NASCAR, I sent out notes to people who I respected in the industry, and I still do this today.

I’m not coming at them looking for a job – that’s what they’re used to. I simply tell them that I respect what they’re doing in the industry, and I respect [he/she] as a businessperson, and I ask if they would be willing to mentor someone like me. And I will tell you right now that I would not be able to do half of the things that I am doing without my mentors. They have opened so many doors for me and stopped me from going down the wrong path so many times.

MN: So what’s next for you?

TM: I definitely have big dreams and goals, but I’m very happy with what we’re doing at USA Swimming, and what we’re doing is so important right now. You only get that chance once in a lifetime to make such an impact on someone’s life, a culture, a community. And I’d love to do bigger things within USA Swimming, so I’m looking forward to seeing what that growth will bring.

Andrea Williams is a journalist and writer based in Nashville, TN. For more, follow her @AndreaWillWrite.

President Obama meeting today with small business owners. via @TheWhiteHouse

No doubt, you’ve been hearing a lot about the “fiscal cliff” that we’re perilously close to going over. On January 1, a number of tax increases and spending cuts will go into effect if this very divided federal government doesn’t reach a compromise. Faith in their ability to reach a resolution is low, which is impacting stock prices today and has been a factor for many business decision makers for months.

“Failure to reach a deal means tax increases and deep spending cuts take effect in five weeks — the fiscal cliff scenario that analysts fear could push the country back into recession,” says CNN.

The plan President Obama proposes would extend the Bush tax cuts for the middle class while ending them for people making $250,000 and more. This infographic lays out who would be affected by the tax increase and who wouldn’t. (Those who wouldn’t include individuals making less than this amount and “97 percent” of small businesses.) The My2K hashtag refers to the $2,200 that middle class taxes would increase should we actually fall off this metaphorical cliff. The White House has also been pushing their proposal hard on their Twitter account, with videos and other media included, and on this website.

Of course, others who reject the President’s plan have also used the hashtag to make their point of view known.

President Obama is also meeting with small business owners, chief executives at corporations, and middle class Americans today.

The Republicans, of course, aren’t taking this lying down. They’re also planning a number of events in Washington, with small business owners and corporate bigwigs, and in their home states, telling everyone who will listen that the White House plan will cost jobs. They say there should be no tax increases for anyone and want to reduce the size of government. They’re also in favor of spending cuts and entitlement reforms, a break with a pledge that many Republicans made with Grover Norquist, an anti-tax activist who founded Americans for Tax Reform.

“This is the public relations phase of the latest fiscal showdown in Washington, where direct engagement is no longer viewed as the optimal route to reaching a deal. As Wall Street shudders and Congress once again risks looking feckless in the face of crisis, both sides are locked in a battle to win over key interest groups — and the public,” writes Politico. The website notes that President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) haven’t met face-to-face in a while to discuss a compromise. Many believe they should meet, and meet often, in the coming days. But previous meetings over other issues yielded little. So the President seems to be opting for another strategy this time around.

A final compromise has to be reached in 33 days.

Welcome to another “Behind The Click.”  We continue with the longest running profile series of African-American women in tech with Lauren Wesley Wilson.  I’m a fan of hers not only because we both share the same first name but because of her achievement in creating a trade association, ColorComm, that brings together women of color working within the communications field, many of them involved in digital areas. I had the opportunity to meet the founder and chief networking officer as an invited guest at a tea the organization had in Washington, DC and I wanted to be sure that I shared information about their work with Madame Noire readers.  Here we go!

Current Occupation: Founder of ColorComm, Inc.

Favorite website:  Forbes Woman

Favorite read: Got What It Takes?: Successful People Reveal How They Made It To The Top by Bill Boggs

Recent read: Little Bee by Chris Cleave

2012′s ultimate goal:  To evaluate my place in this world

Quote Governing Your Mission: “Surround yourself with people who light up your life and make you laugh till it hurts.” If you don’t surround yourself with people who make you feel good, how can you become the best version of yourself?  And you need the best version of yourself to accomplish your goals and make an impact in this world.

Twitter handle: @ColorCommntwk

Lauren deLisa Coleman: How did you decide on Spelman and what was it like attending college there?
Lauren Wesley Wilson: Spelman was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made; a choice that truly took me out of my comfort zone and provided an opportunity to interact with and learn from people who looked just like me, something I wasn’t used to. Growing up, my environment and upbringing included little diversity. I attended St. Louis private schools since kindergarten and had only one black friend. Spelman was what I needed to understand who I am and to know that there is an intellectual black community that exists in droves. I entered Spelman as an only child and graduated with plenty of sisters.

LdC:  How did you decide on your major? What role did it play in your later position with public relations powerhouse Hill & Knowlton?
LWW: I majored in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. It was very fitting to have a well-rounded education with global experiences to work at a global company. Some of my clients included Qualcomm, SunEdison, and Wipro.

LdC: How did you transition from that to your work as communications director for a member of Congress?
LWW: I knew there was an opening for a communications director for a Texas Democratic Congresswoman, because the previous communications director came to work at Hill & Knowlton. When I was ready to move on from [the firm], I reached out to a colleague and friend in that office and became the new communications director.

LdC: You then went on to apply your skills to the Obama campaign. Tell us more about your work for Obama at the Florida campaign headquarters?
LWW: For the short time that I was in Florida, I learned so much about media booking and media relations. It was a great learning environment for me, because I’m used to being in control and feeling as if I know everything. Working in Florida proved that this wasn’t the case.

LdC: What led you to start ColorComm?
LWW: This answer is very long and I welcome any coffee meetings with folks who want to hear the true and uncensored story. The short version is this: I wanted to see more examples of women of color in leadership positions in my field.  The PR industry is not dominated by women of color. Frankly it’s just the opposite.  It is important for us to come together at the mid to executive level to share our brainpower and resources to better ourselves professionally and personally.

ColorComm started off as an invite-only luncheon series in May 2011 and transitioned into a membership organization in July 2012 with a chapter in Washington, DC and a presence in New York and Chicago.

LdC:  What is the mission for the organization? What is the biggest challenge you have in running ColorComm?
LWW: [As it says on the website], “The ColorComm mission is to personally connect women with other like-minded individuals to build a strong network of leaders by creating mentors/mentees, business relationships and friendships. ColorComm offers a unique opportunity for women to share experiences and learn from one another to enhance their personal and professional development.”

The biggest challenge is balancing it all with our full-time jobs and extracurricular activities. ColorComm has such a great leadership team that we are able to make this work, despite all our crazy schedules. We carefully plan each program several months out, because the most important thing is to continue maintaining the quality of our organization and to service the needs of our members.

LdC:  Describe the membership base for me.
LWW: Our membership base is pretty diverse in age and background. We have members that are [ages] 25 to 60-plus and that are in all industries of communications (PR, media relations, advertising communications, small business owners, digital communications, etc). It’s an environment where we can all come to the table and learn from one another.

I would say that if you’re involved in ColorComm, most likely you use digital strategies on a daily basis to service your clients.  You also use digital platforms to connect with members outside of the programs. It’s great to see members connecting online and supporting each other’s events and activities.

LdC:  Why is it important to have organizations like this for women of color, particularly in the digital age?
LWW: Women bring a unique energy to networking and to the conversation.  Because there are few of us at large PR companies and in the industry as a whole (in comparison to the majority), it’s truly important for us to know one another and to collaborate with each other.

A woman of color in this field will experience a different set of challenges because of who we are and our perspective. ColorComm provides an opportunity for us to come together and learn how to navigate our way through this industry. The programs and events are unique experiences that challenge our thinking and allow us to form meaningful relationships with like-minded people.

LdC:  What advice might you have for women who are particularly interested in the convergence of tech and politics?
LWW: Read, read, read, read some more. Follow the people who you strive to emulate and join organizations. As a woman of color working in policy, my challenges were met by having a strong outside network. This is something that anyone can create. Just remember that connecting initially should be genuine and less transactional.

LdC:  What are your plans for ColorComm for 2013?
LWW: To continue building the ColorComm network and to focus on expansion in other key major cities.

So, there you have it!  Be sure and watch for the next profile.  In the meantime, please follow me about all things digi-social via my new Twitter handle @ultraLdC.

Image via Nella House

Welcome to another installment of “Behind The Click”, the longest-running profile series on African-American females contributing to the tech game.  Meet Amber Allen who is the founder and head of a communications agency called Nella House.  I recently had the pleasure of meeting her after one of my recent digital-speaking engagements in Washington, D.C. Her energy and achievements just screamed a “Behind The Click” inclusion, so here she is.

Current Occupation: Principal and independent consultant at Nella House

Favorite website: www.yellowtrace.com

Favorite read: Entrepreneur magazine

Recent reads: Champagne and Real Pain by Maggie Nolan
Some of My Best Friends Are Black by Tanner Colby
Stieg Larsson: The Real Story of the Man Who Played with Fire by Jan-Erik Petterson
The Secular Monastery by John Steinbruner

2012′s ultimate goal: Investors, new business, hiring.

Quote that inspires you: “Be fearful of mediocrity.”

Twitter handle: @ambitiousamber

LdC: I read in your bio that you attended Spelman College.  How did you come to select that school?

AA: I traveled a lot when I was a child, but I stake my claim to my hometown of Stafford, Virginia – a small suburb outside of Washington, D.C.

I selected Spelman College for two reasons: I wanted the HBCU experience – an experience that I thought would be unique and quite different from anything I had experienced before (and I really did fall in love with the school when I walked on campus); and I really wanted to be in Atlanta (I had relatives there, loved the entertainment scene, and I was aware that African Americans were really excelling in the city).

AA: Spelman gave me a first-rate education, and unforgettable cultural experience, and it is where I matured and met my “life friends.” I can go on and on about my school because I really believe and know that Spelman equipped me with career, cultural, and intellectual tools that are unique to the Spelman experience.

I heard about the public relations and corporate communications program at Georgetown through one of my best friends. She and I were both in that rather interesting phase of trying to transition from liberal arts degree-holders to corporate career climbers. We both recognized the need to take our publicity and event planning experience as student leaders and formalize it in the classroom… with an attractive degree. The program was amazing, had amazing professors, and in its first year (in which I was a part) was nominated by PRWeek.

AA: Working as press secretary for ASP was a hard, but rewarding, job. I recommend press secretary-ish positions for anyone seriously considering a career in communications. I was responsible for directing and implementing comms strategies and products for an entire organization with a lean team. ASP tackled issues of national security, from nuclear security to climate change, so it was a cerebral job that necessitated taking all that complex, wonky info and distilling it for public (and media) consumption.