Harriette Cole, is a life stylist, author, nationally syndicatedadvice columnist, motivational speaker, media trainer, magazine editor, lifestyle writer, wife and mother.[1][2][3]
Cole was born inBaltimore, Maryland, the middle of three sisters. Her parents are Doris Freeland Cole, a retired kindergarten teacher who has devoted her life to her children, and the HonorableHarry A. Cole, the first black judge on theMaryland Court of Appeals. Cole's sisters are Susan Hill, a vice president atDisney in Los Angeles, and Stephanie Hill, a vice president atLockheed Martin inMaryland.
Cole attended public schools inBaltimore, including Dickey Hill Elementary School, Greenspring Junior High School, andWestern High School. She graduated from the all-girls' Western High School.
Cole spent her first year in college atTowson State University. She completed her college education atHoward University, where she became a member ofDelta Sigma Theta sorority.
Cole worked for then freshmen member of CongressBarbara Boxer after she graduated from college. During that year she continued to freelance as a runway model. She became an assistant editor atEssence magazine in the lifestyle section, then known as Contemporary Living.
For the next several years, Cole was promoted annually until she became the editor of that section. During her tenure in Contemporary Living Cole traveled all over the world documenting cultures of people of African descent. Her travels took her to the Ivory Coast in West Africa, Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, Bahia, Brazil, Paris, France, throughout theCaribbean and also across the United States.
In 1995 she left Essence and launched her ownmedia company which is now titled Harriette Cole Media.
Through her 20-year-old business, Cole has participated in a broad range of projects. She has written a number of books including How to Be: A Guide to Conscious Living, Choosing Truth, Vows and Coming Together. She has helped to launch a number of magazines, includingUptown and others. Cole led the visual transformation ofEbony magazine, and most recently served as editor in chief of the magazine. During her 3½ years atEbony, Cole produced covers featuringBarack andMichelle Obama before he announced his run for the presidency, Michelle Obama in the thick of the campaign, which Cole authored, Barack Obama days after he was elected,Michael Jackson for his final photo shoot and interview, andPrince.
Cole has provided media training, presentation training and/or fashion styling for many clients, includingMary J. Blige,Alicia Keys,Carl Thomas,JoJo,Shontelle, andHal Linton.
Cole has provided presentation and empowerment workshops for businesses and institutions, includingSpeaking of Women's Health,Kraft,Cornell University, theNational Urban League,National Action Network,Jack and Jill of America,Delta Sigma Theta, and others.
Cole hosted a reality series on theABC Family Channel, calledPerfect Match New York. She hosted a daily radio show on XM Satellite radio, called Pulse. For the past ten years she has written the nationally syndicated advice column (six days a week), "Sense & Sensitivity," which is syndicated byUnited Media/United Features Syndicate.[4]
She has been a frequent guest on theToday Show, offering advice on how to be your best. She has been featured onAccess Hollywood,The Insider,MSNBC,LXTV,The Oprah Winfrey Show,Rachael Ray,NPR,BET andTVOne.
Harriette Cole has been married to fashion and beauty photographerGeorge Chinsee since 1993. They have a daughter, Carrie Emmanuelle Cole Chinsee, who was born in 2003. They reside in New York City.
