Tirrell D. Whittley was honored as the Innovator of the Year during the INROADS 2023 Benefit Gala on May 3, 2023. This award recognizes an individual who has been a pioneer of transformation, creating innovative solutions that open doors and create opportunities for underrepresented talent.
INROADS Alumnus Tirrell D. Whittley is a filmmaker, entrepreneur, and visionary media executive leader. He is the founder of Liquid Soul, a full-service advertising and marketing agency with four regional office locations in Atlanta, Washington DC, Los Angeles, and Dallas. Through his creative work, he has redefined what is possible and changed the trajectory of entrepreneurs in the theater and the movie industry.
Recognized as an expert in millennial and multicultural marketing, Tirrell has become a trusted advisor for brands looking to find impactful ways to target consumers. Under his leadership, LIQUID SOUL has developed marketing and distribution campaigns for legendary properties and blockbuster hits, including Black Panther, Guardians of the Galaxy, and 42: The Jackie Robinson Story. They have also launched three company divisions, namely LIQUID SOUL Politico (Political Advertising), LIQUID SOUL Live (Live & Virtual Events), and LIQUID SOUL Studios (Content Production).
As a filmmaker, Tirrell Whittley executive produced the documentary film COPWATCH which premiered during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. Additionally, he is a producer of the Aretha Franklin award-winning music documentary film AMAZING GRACE and Executive Producer of the feature film BRIAN BANKS starring Aldis Hodge, Sherri Shephard, Greg Kinnear, and Morgan Freeman.
Among his many distinctions, Mr. Whittley is a 2019 NAACP Image Award Winner, a member of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts & Sciences, recognized as the Atlanta Business League’s “Entrepreneur of the Year,” Florida A&M University’s “School of Business & Industry (SBI) Hall of Fame” Inductee and is lauded among the Who’s Who in Atlanta and Atlanta Tribune’s “Top 25 Architects of Success”.