She came to Atlanta to survey the workforce and discover the career opportunity of a lifetime and found it. It just so happens that it’s her own outfit, and in so finding her passion, she’s opened doors for countless others. Carla Morrison, President of Chit Chat Communications, is more than just the CEO of a public relations firm. She’s one of its key players. She’s as visible as the intern that’s just trying to gain a little knowledge. She’s a magnet to media types, cordial and helpful and looks the part of an employee more than she would the captain of the ship. But that’s what makes her special. Morrison’s senses are outstanding, and her willingness to share, irreplaceable. Instead of using “me,” or “I,” when referencing a Chit Chat affiliated event, she says “we,” and rather than gloat in her success, she includes her entire outfit with every breath.

  Chit Chat Communications specializes in consultation, feature writing,   photography and sports & entertainment, and has worked with various   athletes, including former Atlanta Falcon’s, Cornelius Bennett, Jamal   Anderson and current Bob Whitfield. Following Morrison’s lead though,   the heartbeat of the business is primarily interested in organizing various   community events and interviews for media throughout the city. Case in Point:   All Star Weekend ’03 What better way to celebrate the legacy of African Americans than by opening a forum that will inspire new opportunities for the best and brightest? When the city is overrun by out of towners and the traffic is enough to make your radiator call it quits, it’s probably best to stay inside. And not that she wanted to dissuade everyone from the fun and frolicking, but Carla Morrison decided that she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make a difference.

As President of Chit Chat Communications, Morrison devised a plan that would create another (plan) at the height of the NBA All Star Weekend phenomena. Appropriately dubbed, “After the Party, What’s the plan?” Chit Chat offered a symposium that welcomed athletes, entertainers and fashion designers to promote education and entrepreneurial endeavors that exist for African Americans in the ever-expanding market that we live in today. Morrison knows big business when she sees it. “After the party, the plan is to grow my business,” Morrison says decisively. “We’re always looking for new clients to write bios or press releases for, or to organize big events worldwide, because we’re more than capable of doing that.”

Since establishing a presence in three major markets in ‘93, including her hometown New Haven, Connecticut, New York and Atlanta, Morrison’s done much to validate her case for excellence. In the spirit of Women’s History Month, Morrison launched a program to celebrate women of color in the media and the arts. And while she’s grown fond of throwing events as opposed to covering them, don’t get it twisted. She knows where her bread is buttered.

“My first love is journalism,” she says with a wide smile before continuing, “but I get a high off organizing programs and promoting them and then when they come off, that just blows me away.”

N. Ali Early
Rolling Out
May 8, 2003