Natalie Cole

Natalie Cole, a 40+ year newspaper veteran is a known entity in the world of print media having spent 24 years in general market, 2 years in alternative and 8 years in niche ethnic media. In 2004 she founded OurWeekly newspaper, the largest circulation “audited” black owned newspaper distributing on the west coast. In 2008 she founded the Urban Media Foundation (UMF), an after school program for inner city youth to learn journalism, media technology, professional development and entrepreneurialism. In 2009 Healthier You, a health maintenance quarterly magazine was introduced. In 2010 OurWeekly Antelope Valley, a hybrid newspaper of Los Angeles and Antelope Valley content was launched. Finally, in 2011 the West Coast Expo: Business, Technology, Sustainability/Green and Health fair debuted at the L.A. Convention Center, to which she is CEO.

Natalie’s intense entrepreneurial spirit comes from her decades of knowledge and experience gained while leading revenue generating teams for the Tribune Company where she grew through the ranks to become its only Dual Director as Director of Classified Inside Sales for the LA Times and Director of Classified Sales for the Recycler newspaper. The LA Times was, at that time, the largest circulation general market newspaper in California and the Recycler newspaper is the world’s largest “free ad” environment.

Natalie has been described as a tough, no-nonsense innovative and creative leader. She oversaw and managed the launch of new technology into the LA Times call center-Call Based Routing. She is the brainchild of the LA Times Kids Reading Page, in which she originally coined the name, Kid Sense. While serving as Associate Publisher of the LA Weekly, arguably the world’s largest alternative newspaper, she teamed with editorial to usher in the first magazine style alternative news look & feel which was duplicated across the country.

Natalie is featured as a contributing author in the book: Yes You Can! Reaching Your Potential While Achieving Greatness published in 2010. She was the lead visionary to develop the book: Million Dollar Conversation, Women Entrepreneurs Share Strategies for Mastering Business, Life, and Relationships, which was published in 2011. In 2012, Natalie became a contributing author of Life Moments for Women.

Natalie’s work and community involvement have been celebrated and she is the recipient of numerous awards and acknowledgements. She was prominently featured in the inaugural issue of Who’s Who in Black Los Angeles and the inaugural issue of the National NAWBO Magazine. She is a panelist, speaker &/or presenter at various events and conferences.