#ProfilesOfTenacity: Tylar Norman

Tylar was recently awarded $1,000 from the Taylor Maggiore Fund. Read the full profile here.

What are you passionate about?

One thing that I am really passionate about is telling the stories and increasing visibility in the media for those in underrepresented groups, such as minorities and women. As a Black woman, I often reflect on how important it is to have representation because I did not see a lot of that growing up. Seeing other women, especially minority women, work in a field that was not very diverse a few decades ago always reminds me to keep going and to remember to make more room at the table for other women. Going into the media field, I recognize the need to continue to uplift and advocate for the voices of minorities, make others more aware of the role we play in society and give back to these groups that have shaped my identity.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I have had my own YouTube channel for about two years!

Why did you choose Grady and your course of study?

I still remember the first time I toured Grady back in April of 2017. I got to see the Newsource studio, hear about the Grady Sports Media program and walk through the halls that would come to shape a big part of my experience as a student at UGA. I chose Grady because the college immediately felt like home before I even got my official acceptance letter. I came into UGA wanting to major in journalism and thinking that I wanted to work in the sports media field. However, I had no idea what direction to go in at that time. Grady College and the Grady Sports Media program have offered me so many opportunities and real world experiences over the past four years that have helped me to find my niche within the journalism field.

What has been your proudest moment in the past year?

Having the opportunity to interview and moderate a conversation with Monica Pearson, the first woman and first minority to anchor the daily evening news in Atlanta, for UGA Grady students.

What does the word “tenacity” mean to you?

When I think of tenacity, I think of the word determination. It is continuing to be strong, to persist and to keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way. It is to not worry about the past or the future, because you know that you are strong in the present and have the confidence to handle the challenges and difficulties that you may face everyday.

Where is your favorite place on campus?

The Founder’s Garden in North Campus

What are you planning to do after graduating? What is your dream job?

Upon graduation, I want to obtain more internship experience working in sports media before I begin applying to jobs. Although I am very open to any opportunity in this field, my dream job is to one day work as a digital content creator for a team or for a sports network, as well as helping to run that team’s social media and help with digital marketing initiatives.

Who is your professional hero?

It’s a tie between Maria Taylor and Joy Taylor

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received from an instructor/mentor/family member?

My mom always tells me that I am capable of doing anything that I have my mind set on. This advice really helped to shape my thought process on the advice that I have further received throughout my college career: Apply for everything, even if you don’t think you are qualified. Getting out of my comfort zone and thinking on my mom’s advice that I am capable always helps me to keep pushing forward.

What is your favorite app or social media channel?

TikTok can always put a smile on my face, but I love Instagram for content creation as well.

#GradyGrit: Meet Lottie Smalley

Editor’s Note: #GradyGrit is a new series of profiles of Grady College students who show determination, leadership and outreach to the community. Search “#GradyGrit” on the Grady College website for additional profiles. 

Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee

Year: Junior

Degree: Public Relations major, Design & Media Minor

Activities and Involvement: Director of Communications for the Student Government Association, member of PRSSA, member of Ad Club, member of Women in Media, member of DiGamma Kappa Broadcast Society, member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and  member of the Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, content creator on YouTube

How has Grady influenced your time at UGA?

Grady College has influenced my time at UGA in more ways than I can count. From the incredible professors to the amazing student organizations, I am so proud to be a Grady Dawg. Everyone in Grady wants to see each other succeed. It’s such a supportive community of creatives who understand the value of collaboration and don’t equate that to competition.

“[Grady is] such a supportive community of creatives who understand the value of collaboration and don’t equate that to competition. – Lottie Smalley

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

My most memorable Grady experience was definitely studying abroad with Global Grady. Last May I lived in Munich for a month and studied travel journalism with some pretty incredible people. The most unexpected but best part about my trip to Germany was the connection I made with my professor, Dodie Cantrell. Her expertise and insight was invaluable and her friendship is something I will cherish forever.

What has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

Meeting viewers here on-campus that recognize me from YouTube has had a big impact on me. I started my YouTube channel six years ago as a creative outlet and never imagined it would grow to the following I have now. My videos started out as middle school makeup looks and must-haves, but as I grew, my channel grew alongside me. College can be overwhelming, and I’ve been told that my latest videos with topics ranging from college essentials to freshman advice can be vehicles to self confidence. It really is the most rewarding job and is so encouraging when I meet girls on campus who watch my videos and tell me I made them feel comfortable. Even at my Grady orientation, I met a viewer from Colorado who struggled to know if UGA was right for her as she was unable to visit for a tour. She told me that my videos were so helpful in her decision to transfer to UGA, and she couldn’t thank me enough for being that resource for her. Those are the people who impact me and inspire me to keep doing what I love.

What motivates you?

I’m constantly motivated by the fear of being average. I don’t want to feel like I had all this potential and didn’t use it.

Favorite smartphone app?

I have an app called “Grateful” that reminds me to log something I’m thankful for each day. I love it because it keeps me mindful and thankful for the abundance in my life.

Who is your professional hero and why?

Lucie Fink is just a few years older than me but is a huge inspiration. She turned her passion for digital media and video production into a full-time custom position at Refinery 29 in just over a year. Forbes has a great article on her if you want to learn more.

What is your proudest moment in the past year?

One of my proudest moments in the past year was completing my travel journalism video package in Germany during my study abroad trip. As a PR major, it gave me a lot of confidence to know if I can do this in Munich where most people speak German, doing this at home will be a piece of cake.

Lottie Smalley travelled to Munich, Germany, where she studied travel journalism.

What is your favorite creative outlet?

My favorite creative outlet has always been YouTube. I feel like I can be most authentically myself in my YouTube videos whereas Instagram and other social media can tend to portray a sense of false perfection.

Favorite quote?

Quotations are one of my favorite sources of inspiration, and I typically have a new favorite every week. One that I’ll always love is, “What you think about and thank about, you bring about.”

What would people be surprised to know about you?

Something that might surprise people is that I don’t drink coffee. I’ll have an iced latte on rare occasions, but if I do, it’s a treat. I try to stick to drinking a ton of water every morning instead.

Create your own question: What’s your dream job in public relations?

I like to say that I don’t necessarily have a “dream job.” With the ever-changing social and digital media landscape we have today, for all I know my “dream job” may not even exist yet. With that being said, I have two jobs that I’m eyeing right now. First, I would love to create social media video content for a women’s outlet like Allure or Bustle. But I also would love to work as a creative director for an agency specializing in beauty and consumer lifestyle products.