The Marcus Graham Project Bootcamp Launch by Dallas' Lincoln Stephens

A CELEBRATION of CREATIVE FUSION
An Event to Launch the Collective Projects of a World Renowned Marketer and a Youth Building Movement

Dallas, TX – June 11, 2009 – On Tuesday, June 23rd a new generation of diverse culture creators & social influencers will emerge and celebrate their combined projects at the two-part event entitled, “Under The Influence – The Urban Intelligentsia” at the Mokah Coffee Bar located at 2803 Taylor Street (at Malcolm X) in Dallas’ historic Deep Ellum Neighborhood.

This creative collective will benefit the new book by Erin O. Patton and the launch of The Marcus Graham Project’s Summer Bootcamp:

• From 6-9pm visitors will get a sample of the methods behind a master marketer. Author Erin O. Patton will share brief highlights from his book, Under The Influence: Tracing the Hip Hop Generation’s Impact on Brands, Sports & Pop Culture (www.undertheinfluence2009.com), and discuss the impact that diversity and inclusion has on building brands in the new market paradigm. As the original architect behind Nike’s Jordan brand, NBA star Stephon Marbury's groundbreaking Starbury launch and Edelman’s Worldwide Diversity Marketing practice, Patton is widely regarded as one of the nation's foremost authorities on multicultural marketing and the mainstream urban audience.

• From 9-12pm visitors will toast to the official launch of The Marcus Graham Project’s Summer Bootcamp. The Marcus Graham Project, is an emerging national network that answers the call of the lack of diversity amongst general market ad agencies. The Marcus Graham Project Summer bootcamp is strategically focused on building the next generation of diverse leadership in the advertising, media, marketing and entertainment industry. This year’s camp will be focused on the “go-green” movement. The bootcampers, a group of young African American men, will form a team modeled after the inner workings of an Advertising Agency and implement projects for their main client, Broccoli City, an LA-based organic lifestyle brand. The team will be challenged to create a series of viral videos, a retail promotion and a marketing plan inclusive of relevant strategic partnerships for their client.


“The Marcus Graham Project’s Summer Bootcamp is the first step towards altering change within the advertising industry,” said Lincoln Stephens, Founder of the Marcus Graham Project. “We want this movement to embody true mentorship and leadership development to help young talent shatter the glass ceiling.”

Partners of the bootcamp include Green Dallas – A City of Dallas Initiative, WFAA-TV Channel 8’s Project Green, The Trinity Center, VEEV Spirits, South Side on Lamar, Trigon Management, Tenabes, and Newflower Markets. The team will also visit multiple agencies in the area as well as receive personal mentoring for veterans in the business as their project progresses. A few of these companies include Culture Lab, Imaginuity, En Vivo, The Design Factory, TracyLocke, Moroch and others.

The event will feature live entertainment, art, food and complimentary beverage. A suggested $20 donation will be collected as well as 50% of the book's sales during the event will benefit The Marcus Graham Project’s Summer Bootcamp fund.
About The Marcus Graham Project
The Marcus Graham Project, a grassroots initiative founded by Dallas-native Lincoln C. Stephens is an emerging national network that is strategically focused on building the next generation of diverse leadership in the advertising, media, marketing and entertainment industry. The network will facilitate its initiatives thru mentorship, training & career development. The brand bootcamp’s primary purpose is to provide diverse aspirants with the exposure and hands on experience necessary to solidify careers within the industry. For more information visit http://marcusgrahamproject.org

Lincoln C. Stephens
972.897.9985 I c
lincoln.stephens@gmail.com I e1
lincoln@marcusgrahamproject.org l e2
Chicago I Dallas l LA
http://marcusgrahamproject.org