Known affectionately as "The Dean" of Black Advertising, Cullers was the founder of the nation's first Black-owned, full-service advertising agency, Vince Cullers Advertising Inc. After serving as a combat artist with the US Marines in the South Pacific during World War Two, he began his professional career in 1953 as an art director with "Ebony" Magazine in Chicago. In 1956, he left Ebony to start his own business, Vince Cullers Advertising Inc., with his wife Marian. Their objective was to provide a way for businesses to reach the growing Black population. Strongly influenced by his deeply spiritual mother, Letitia Cullers, he was committed to minorities finding and developing a positive self-image. One of his most popular advertising campaigns was "Watu wazuri--beautiful people," for the "Afro Sheen" hair care product line of the Johnson Products Company. The campaign also helped to launch the national syndicated dance show "Soul Train." His agency's clients included Sears, Kellogg's, Ameritech, Amoco and Pizza Hut. The agency also served as a springboard for many promising African American professions who secured their first experience in the advertising world under Cullers' guidance.
Known affectionately as "The Dean" of Black Advertising, Cullers was the founder of the nation's first Black-owned, full-service advertising agency, Vince Cullers Advertising Inc. After serving as a combat artist with the US Marines in the South Pacific during World War Two, he began his professional career in 1953 as an art director with "Ebony" Magazine in Chicago. In 1956, he left Ebony to start his own business, Vince Cullers Advertising Inc., with his wife Marian. Their objective was to provide a way for businesses to reach the growing Black population. Strongly influenced by his deeply spiritual mother, Letitia Cullers, he was committed to minorities finding and developing a positive self-image. One of his most popular advertising campaigns was "Watu wazuri--beautiful people," for the "Afro Sheen" hair care product line of the Johnson Products Company. The campaign also helped to launch the national syndicated dance show "Soul Train." His agency's clients included Sears, Kellogg's, Ameritech, Amoco and Pizza Hut. The agency also served as a springboard for many promising African American professions who secured their first experience in the advertising world under Cullers' guidance.
Bio by: Warrick L. Barrett
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