6th Annual Women's History Month Luncheon & Business Development Day Breakfast Speaker - Larry Scott Blackmon - Sr. Manager for Pubic Affairs, NY Jets

Over the past seven years, Larry Scott Blackmon has grown to become a force in New York state politics. Larry’s credo is “represent those in society who are often ignored and left out of the political process.”

Truly a native son of Harlem – he was born in Harlem Hospital, raised in Harlem’s Drew Hamilton Public Houses and attended A. Philip Randolph Campus High School in the heart of Harlem. Larry graduated from the State University of New York’s College at New Paltz with a double major in Communication and Black Studies.

Following in the footsteps of some of his family members, Larry worked in the Music and Entertainment industry for EMI Records promoting some of the most popular artists in R&B music in a national promotions capacity.

In 1997 Larry decided to embark on a career in politics by “promoting” New York City Councilwoman C. Virginia Fields, on her quest to become the President of the Borough of Manhattan. No job was too small as he stuffed literature in doors, stapled posters to poles, and used his college radio experience to provide a voice for the candidate’s sound truck. C. Virginia Fields won the election by a 12 to 1 margin in Northern Manhattan.

While working with the Borough President of Manhattan, Larry took a leave of absence to accept a position on the campaigns of then Vice President Al Gore and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton as Field Coordinator for the Borough of Manhattan. Working with a first rate team, he was instrumental as the First Lady made history by winning the election and becoming the junior Senator from the State of New York.

Shortly thereafter, Larry began a two and a half year tenure as the Deputy State Director for United States Senator Charles Schumer, becoming one of a select group of people to have worked for two U.S. Senators serving one state at the same time. A short list of his duties include assisting with the management of eight satellite offices, advising the Senator on key policy issues, managing the Senator’s relationships with elected and party officials.

After a brief time advising New York City Council Speaker Gifford Miller, Larry joined the staff of the New York Jets professional football team where he currently serves as Senior Manager for Public Affairs. In this role, Larry convened a taskforce of New York City political and labor leaders who developed a comprehensive and historic model Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise program for the New York Sports and Convention Center. This program will ensure $100 million dollars of economic activity geared towards New York City’s Minority communities. Larry is also working to expand the New York Jets outreach efforts in all five boroughs of New York City.

Larry has organized many events around the State of New York including:

2003 and 2004 - Holidays In Harlem Celebration on 125th Street

2002 - U. S. Senator Charles Schumer Town Hall Meeting

2002 - City of Syracuse Legislative Economic Development Tour

2000 - Census Caravan

2000 - Community Town Hall meeting with Senator Hillary R. Clinton

1999 and 2000 - Greater Harlem-Con Edison Harlem Historical Bike Tour

1999 - Youth Conference at the Apollo Theatre

Additionally, Larry serves his community thru a number of civic groups including:

- President, A. Philip Randolph Campus High School Alumni Association

- Member, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development Advisory Board
Member, Frederick E. Samuel Community Democratic Club

- Board Member, Sound Business Incorporated

- Board Member, African American Chamber of Commerce of Westchester County

- Former Board Member, Harlem Week

Larry is a member of the historic First Bethel A.M.E. Church and resides with his family in Harlem.