The African-American community benefited from Tom Burrell’s efforts because it was a voice at a time when their voices were misunderstood and quelled. Before his retirement in 2003, Tom Burrell, is credited with creating the principle of “positive realism” – “a technique depicting African-Americans using consumer products in a manner that is authentic and relevant." Adele Lasseur, Media Director at Burrell Communications,  recently spoke with Highbrow Magazine about the agency and how it targets what she  calls the most powerful and forward-thinking consumer market: African-Americans.