Turning Point Communications

As founder and president of Turning Point Communications - parent company of Turning Point Magazine, turningpointmagazine.com, The Annual African American Business Summit and the Access to Success® Business Tour, and Co-Executive Producer of the Turning Point Business Minute Radio Program - Ms. Means has established herself as a new-economy entrepreneur and small business specialist. Her aggressive “can-do” entrepreneurial spirit has carried the company from its inception with a $2,000.00 investment to a nationally recognized small business and community development resource.

Ms. Means co-founded Turning Point Magazine after the 1992 uprising in Los Angeles to address the lack of positive portrayals of African Americans in the media. Through Turning Point’s thirteen-year journey to become the only medium – print or broadcast – specifically targeting African Americans of influence in California, Ms. Means acquired full ownership of the publication in 1995. And in 2001, Turning Point Magazine expanded its message and services to a national audience.

Knowing first-hand the obstacles that African American business owners face, this business trail-blazer positioned Turning Point Communications as a viable vehicle to assist entrepreneurs keep abreast of the ever-changing business paradigm by creating entrepreneurial development events such as the very successful annual National African American Business Summit and the Access to Success Business Tour®. Through her efforts, many small business owners have realized their dreams of becoming productive and profitable parts of the American economy. By the same gesture, Ms. Means has provided a direct diversity vehicle for corporate America to reach the multi billion-dollar black small business market.

She has been recognized for her leadership by several national and local organizations:

• The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-LA)
o Small Business Advocate Award (2005)
o 2001 Hall of Fame inductee (2001)

• Los Angeles Commission on Women
o 2003 President’s Award (President’s Award)
o Pioneer Award (2005)
• Professional Women in Business Woman of the Year (2000)
• Los Angeles Business Journal Women Who Make A Difference Awardee (2000)
• California Black Chamber of Commerce (Female Entrepreneur of the Year)
• Los Angeles African American Women Political Action
• Committee (Power PAC Woman Pioneer Award)
• USC Black Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumni of the Year (2001).

Recognized as an advocate for minority small business, Ms. Means was appointed to the National Congressional Small Business Task Force by Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald.
Ms. Means is Chairperson of the Los Angeles 10th District Small Business Commission (appointed by City Council Member Martin Ludlow). She is board president of the TPC Foundation, Inc. and sits on the boards of the West Angeles Community Development Corporation, the Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Institute, Inc. (LAAAWPPI), the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce and the Wells Fargo Community Advisory Board.

Ms. Means has held executive management positions at Purex Corporation, Foote, Cone, Belding/Honig Advertising, Motown Records, ProServ, Inc., and KACE radio.

She holds a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management (BS) from the University of Southern California.