the Fıeld A Visit With Agents of Change

who you really are and what you say you want, you may be inundated with looking at the lives of other people reaching for things that aren’t even naturally in your trajectory. But when you give people space to really get into who they are, out of that can be a more authentic financial plan, life plan and evaluation.”

Starting SOBA

Norman has worked with community cooperatives in the Atlanta area for a number of years. Her experience in that realm brought her to the attention of Thomas Priester, who she had met some years previously through their work in the insurance industry. Priester started KORE Financial, a brokerage firm in Atlanta that works with individuals, families and small-business owners to protect and grow their wealth through life insurance.

“He had tried to start some insurance groups in the past, where members would champion collaboration and connectivity over competition,” she said. “But we found too many situations where someone had a winning strategy or found a new market but was afraid to share that information with someone else. We all are driven to be so competitive. I think competition can be a good thing, but hypercompetition can kill careers and kill relationships.”

Norman said Priester approached her about starting a group of Black insurance agents and agency owners connecting and sharing best practices. “He knew I had a feel for community and I wanted to see us win as a Black community,” she said.

The two launched the Society of Black Agents in December 2021, and it has grown to 1,000 members.

SOBA provides training through webinars and calls, access to interviews with industry leaders, and digital marketing content to attract more clients, in addition to connecting its members with industry peers.

“We wanted to build up a force of individuals who trusted each other, who knew their craft and who are experts in their space,” Norman said. “But we also wanted to create a space where newer agents can come in and quickly attach themselves to folks who want to see them win and who know how to help them win. A lot of times, Black professionals really struggle to fit into the mainstream version of who they should be.

“With SOBA, it’s the opposite. We provide support, connectivity and guidance so someone can thrive in this industry on their own terms. We champion our cultural differences, and we know our power. And we know that when we work together, we create more opportunities.”

Those opportunities extend to those outside the industry, Norman said. “We find there are so many people — mothers, fathers, grandmothers, young adults — who are interested in being better with their finances and then understanding that insurance is a foundational piece of all this. It’s all about leaning into the power we hold and affecting our community from a powerful place.”

Food as medicine

Norman enjoys travel, riding her electric bike and spending time with her extended family.

She also is serious about health and wellness.

“My family is really strong about health and wellness and about not necessarily running to the doctor for all our needs,” she said. “I am passionate about using your food as medicine. My sister is an herbalist, and I grew up with a father who is vegetarian. I love cooking real, whole foods.

“When we talk about wealth, we talk about health. And I believe we often miss that component of letting food be your medicine, and I would like to see more of a conversation around that.”

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents’ association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at Susan.Rupe@ innfeedback.com. Follow her on Twitter @INNsusan.

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