Patricia Means If you refuse to fall, you'll always stand. Company: Turning Point Communications Location: Los Angeles, California Website: www.turningpointmagazine.com

Biography:
As founder and president of Turning Point Communications - parent company of Turning Point Magazine, 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 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.

A noted speaker, Ms. Means has addressed the NAACP, the California Black Chamber of Commerce and Loyola Marymount University among other organizations. She has been honored by the National Association of Women Business Owners – LA (NAWBO) (2005 Advocacy Award), National Association of Women in Business (2001 Hall of Fame), Professional Women in Business (2000 Woman of the Year), Los Angeles Business Journal (Women Who Make A Difference 2000), California Black Chamber of Commerce (Female Entrepreneur of the Year), Los Angeles African American Women Political Action Committee (Power PAC Woman Pioneer Award) and the USC Black Alumni Association's Outstanding Alumni of the Year (2001).

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.

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 president of the TPC Foundation, Inc. and sits on the board of the Jenesse Center, a South Los Angeles shelter for battered women and their children.

Availability:
Available to give presentations and lectures on small business, entrepreneurship, and minority women issues.