Daryl Layson is the founder of FAME Focus LLC, a freelance communications and creative consultancy supporting CEOs, executives, and teams primarily across the fashion, arts, media, and entertainment industries. Through this work, Daryl has partnered with brands and organizations including Neiman Marcus Group, Kendra Scott, G–III Apparel Group, Max Mara, KITH, Fashion Scholarship Fund, Crate & Barrel, Parsons School of Design, DePaul University, and more.

Previously, Daryl served as Director of Communications for TaskForce Prevention and Community Services, a Chicago-based non-profit, where he built the communications function from the ground up and led its first rebrand since 1990. Earlier, he managed the Virgil Abloh™ “Post-Modern” Scholarship Fund, facilitating communications, recruitment, mentorship, and events supporting more than 70 students nationwide.

Daryl’s earlier experience includes corporate communication roles at Neiman Marcus Group, LinkedIn, and Dana Incorporated, where he honed his expertise in internal and executive communications, social media, branding, storytelling, and program management across luxury fashion & retail, tech, manufacturing, and non-profit sectors.

Daryl graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus in Marketing from the University of Toledo. He also obtained a Management Accelerator certificate from McKinsey & Company’s Black Leadership Academy. Daryl currently resides in Chicago, IL.