Marshall L. Shorts Jr. is a multi-hyphenate creative force, adeptly navigating roles as an educator, artist, designer, brand strategist, and cultural organizer to meet the varied demands of each environment he enters. As the founder of Artfluential, a cultural branding & design studio, Marshall and team collaborates with a diverse range of clients including but not limited to the City of Columbus, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA), and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. His commitment extends beyond client service to championing diversity and equity in the design and creative industries, actively working to pave inroads for creatives of color.

Over the past 15 years, Marshall's visionary leadership has flourished through initiatives like Creative Control Fest, an annual conference that centers Black creatives and creatives of color. His dedication to the creative community and activism is further evidenced by his curation of the Black Creatives Manifesto and his foundational role with the Maroon Arts Group. Marshall also actively participates on various boards and community projects, enhancing his impact.

During the civil unrest of 2020, Marshall spearheaded "Deliver Black Dreams," an initiative and campaign that mobilized artists, designers, public officials, and businesses to advocate for social change. This campaign has become a cornerstone of his efforts to manifest a more equitable society by making a simple statement “Because Black Lives Matter, We must Deliver Black Dreams.

Marshall’s thought leadership is recognized in numerous conferences, articles, and two TEDx Talks, earning him widespread accolades for both creativity and leadership. Above all, Marshall cherishes his role as a steadfast servant leader and loving presence within his family and community, considering these relationships his most significant accomplishments.