What is your name and what do you do?
Tamron Hall, Host of 'NewsNation' on MSNBC (weekdays at 2pm ET) and frequent fill-in host for NBC's 'Today Show.' I'm a television news reporter -- I spend my days researching and reporting on the most important stories out there, political and otherwise.

What are your thoughts on the importance of education (in general) in the black community?
I share the same views as many when it comes to education. The importance of education is easy to understand -- but what is less so is how we can help keep students engaged. Despite the lectures and information that is widely shared about how education can change your life and that of your family, black males continue to drop out of school at an alarming rate.

What personal philosophy do you follow on money?
A penny saved is a penny earned. But it's OK to splurge sometimes!

How do you think social media has helped or hindered education?
Social media is such a great tool in terms of education. For students, it's a great way to share ideas and thoughts on important topics, books, new stories -- whatever the case may be. It's also a very valuable tool for engaging students who are on the shy side – they might be more likely to take part in a discussion online or via a message board than they would in a crowded classroom.

Do you have any educational and professional advice for the black community?
Networking is something I feel we African Americans don't fully take advantage of in our community. We often believe hard work will pay off (and yes, it will!) -- however we still need to get out there and shake hands, go to conferences and build relationships that could last a lifetime. Every job that I've ever landed was the result of a networking experience. When the door opened, I was prepared for it, but it was a great feeling to know that I had someone who believed in me enough to say, "I may have an opportunity for you." Again, hard work is key, but it doesn't hurt to meet people – there is so much we can learn from others.


Is it necessary for President Obama to create more economic/educational/social programs targeted towards the black community?
The U.S. is full of diversity, which is what makes our country so great. We should strive to help as many as we can, in order to improve life for all.

What has been the scariest/funniest/best moment in your career?
My scariest moment (in a positive way) was when I sat down for an interview with Winnie Mandela. She is such a complex and controversial woman. When I first met her, I could feel this powerful energy that shook me to my core. Even though I was worried that some of my questions might offend her, I knew that as a journalist I had a responsibility to address the more questionable things in her past. It was a great interview in the end, but there was a moment or two when I felt that I might be hitting a brick wall.

How has Twitter helped you engage with your viewers and uncover stories?
I use Twitter all day, every day! It's a great way to inform my viewers about my upcoming guests and segments, and to gain feedback and insights from them that I may have otherwise missed when sifting through countless reports and story updates.

Do you have professional advice for aspiring public figures out there, especially in regard to the use of social media?
I think that social media has become an extremely important tool for public figures – President Obama, Robert Gibbs, Sarah Palin and so many other public figures use it to communicate with supporters from almost anywhere in the world. It's also a great way for public figures to mobilize people to act or to support something. On the other side, aspiring public figures would be wise to practice caution when tweeting or putting things up on Facebook – once it's on the Internet, it's pretty much there forever.

What upcoming projects do you have in store for us?
We are hoping to take 'NewsNation' on the road. The concept of the show is to spread the idea that we all are in this together. We would like the opportunity to bring in new and more familiar voices from the nation to our show.

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL Black Voices audience?
It's has been a difficult year for far too many people. Folks are either already out of work or are worried that they might be next when the pink slips are handed out. I can only hope our nation's leaders will work together in the new year and bring the relief needed to improve our economy.