Larry Allen McBee was born in Cleveland Ohio at a time when Cleveland was considered one of the best locations in the nation provided Larry Allen McBee with an abundance of life taught lessons. As a child, Larry learned entrepreneurship by working with his father, Charles E. McBee a groundbreaking businessman and owner of a chain of dry cleaners named Capitol Dry Cleaners Inc. In the 1970s, Larry became manager of Penthouse 27 restaurant and night club located on the east side of Cleveland, became known as one of Cleveland’s fine restaurants and night spots. Larry established an alteration and custom clothing business in the 1980s where he created one of a kind custom-made gowns and business suits.
In the early part of the 1990s, Larry was elected co-chair of the Coalition for Improved Community and Cultural Relations (CICCR.). Larry’s unique communication skills brought people from all walks of life and different ethnic groups to the table creating a diverse organization. CICCR gained national recognition for its role in mediating sensitive issues between the African American and Arab American communities during a volatile time in Cleveland. At the same time Cleveland’s Mayor Michael R. White appointed Larry to the Special Committee on Arab American Concerns (SCAAC). Larry representing the African American community, met with members of Mayor White’s cabinet and leaders of the Arab American community on a monthly bases to develop strategies to assist, educate and facilitate the needs of Arab American merchants during business in the black community, resulting in reducing the tension between the African American and Arab American communities. At that time, Larry presented a slide presentation to more than three hundred Palestinian merchants helping them to improve the way they conduct business throughout the city of Cleveland.
With no formal education beyond high school, Larry took those life taught lessons and a process of unending self-education, his love of reading and a passion for art have distinguished him as a true renaissance man. Larry’s passion to learn has led him down several artistic paths. He is an image/wardrobe consultant, noted couture dressmaker, designer, custom tailor, fine art photographer, documentarian and entrepreneur.
Today, he brings his unique communication skills to the classroom or lecture hall inspiring and motivating young people to grab hold of opportunities and develop themselves into world-class leaders.