What makes you an Innovator?
You’re not the problem, you’re the solution! You are traveling the roads not taken…being a pioneer of change…and fearlessly creating groundbreaking initiatives and solutions!
Larry Yarrell, II – Social Entrepreneur, CoFounder of Marcus Graham Project & Co-CEO of Locomotus
“Every day I wake up, look myself in the mirror and ask myself ‘what will I do today to be better than the man I was yesterday and put myself in position to be the person I want to be tomorrow.’ ”
A Dallas, TX native, Larry Yarrell is a graduate of Morehouse College, ’04. Having worked and studied in places like Atlanta, New York and London he attributes his success in the marketing and advertising industry to his experience and love for travel and the exploration of culture. Larry has worked with brands such as Jose Cuervo, Crown Royal, Motions Proline, E! Entertainment UK, Verizon Telecom and Charter Communications establishing him as a seasoned industry leader.
“I’ve had some of the greatest opportunities professionally based on the relationships founded in a spirit of service. It has been those very same relationships that have fueled my passion for talent mentorship and allowed me to invest the bulk of my purpose into the next generation of leadership” says Yarrell. In 2008 he and business partner, Lincoln Stephens, established the Marcus Graham Project, a non-profit determined to identify, train and cultivate minority leadership in media, marketing and advertising. Larry’s leadership has been vital, driving partnerships for MGP with major agencies, corporations and brands like Wieden & Kennedy, Apple, Meta, Pepsi, Beats By Dre, the NBA & Patron.
Larry and the Marcus Graham Project have been featured in numerous publications such Black Enterprise, Ebony, D Magazine and most recently, AdAge & Forbes highlighting the launch of Locomotus, a talent hub and creative agency. Yarrell is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Pis Fraternity, Inc.
“I believe that image and imagination are everything! If my little brown kids can not look at the television, billboards and magazines and see the same limitless possibilities in the world that we as parents provide for them at home then society has failed them and so have I.” -Larry Yarrell in Shades of Success
Connect with Larry on LinkedIn!
The ACNY Foundation is proud to recognize outstanding industry professionals, during our 4th Annual Black History Month recognition series titled, “Icons, Rock Stars & Innovators”.
It is our way of shining the spotlight on exemplary talent, integral to the evolution and growth of the advertising industry. Each day during Black History Month we profile a selected “Icon, Rock Star & Innovator” across all our digital platforms. Though we cannot be together in person, the spirit of our history and the legacy of our excellence lives on in us. Follow the series on Instagram, Meta, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
P.S. Check out our other content from previous years
2020 – Honorees
2019 – Sizzle Reel
2019 – Online Exhibition
2019 – Icons, RockStars, & Innovators
2018 – Icons, RockStars, & Innovators
