PPB January 2019

these and other causes to this day.” Nominators Barbara Dail, MAS, and Mary Ellen Sokalski, MAS, add, “We were flabbergasted wondering how Daryll ever got anything done in her business. But once you meet her and get to know her, you know you have met one of those rare people who walk the walk and live the ideals of service as a part of their DNA.” Griffin’s volunteer and professional accomplishments have been widely recognized. She received the WBENC/ Georgia Women’s Business Council’s Trailblazer Award, the Innovation Award from Turner Broadcasting, Star Supplier fromCoca-Cola Enterprises, and was featured twice in the Atlanta Tribune ’s Salute to Black Businesses. The Atlanta Business League has honored her with the League’s Leadership Award for her service, and in 2015, Accolades was inducted into the Atlanta Business League Hall of Fame. For Griffin, however, her workmentoring young women at Stephens College and Spelman College is what she’s most proud of in her volunteer career she says, recalling her ownmentor, the late legendary Janelle Nevins, former senior vice president at Summit Marketing Group. “One graduated fromSpelman and received her MBA from my graduate almamater, Washington University. Three interned at Accolades with one going on to become an entrepreneur herself. I ammost proud of mymentee who graduatedMagna CumLaude from Spelman in 2017,” she says. Griffin’s volunteer involvement is extensive, to say the least. She currently serves on the board of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Greater Atlanta and in 2018 was inducted into the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers for her dedication to the organization and its mission in the community. She joins former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, Coretta Scott King, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and other notable community leaders in that honor. Griffin has been a member of the Atlanta Business League since 1992 and has served as chair of its board of directors and board secretary. She served for a decade as secretary of the United Sisterhood of Wheat Street Baptist Church and as director of Vacation Bible School, previously held positions on the boards of the Callanwolde Arts Center Foundation and the Hispanic Corporate Council of Atlanta, and was a two-term president of the North Suburban Atlanta Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. She also served on the board of the Wheat Street Charitable Foundation and is a member of Leadership Atlanta Class of 2001. Within the promotional products industry, she has served on several PPAI committees and taskforces, written for PPB magazine and is an active member of the Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals. In 2016, she was named a PPAI Fellow. “Daryll gives in every way possible,” add Dail and Sokalski. “Not just to her beautiful family or friends, but to the communities she lives in, prays in, works in. She gives to help heal, build character, mentor young professionals, young women, young people of color, to know their potential, show their pride, use their God-given gifts to be better citizens of the world. And not just a few random acts of kindness. But decades of service for children and youth, education and her community. Years of continuous dedication for what’s right, what’s good.” Volunteer services is an integral part of Griffin’s life and sits alongside her workweek at Accolades in her schedule. She credits the talented team at Accolades for clients’ seamless experience with the distributor. She also tasks each employee at the company to volunteer their time, with pay, at least once during the year. For those looking to follow their own volunteer path, Griffin encourages them to “find a need and fill it.” She says, “Find something you are passionate about and go and help. I am usually interested in causes or programs that impact women and children, so I am naturally drawn to the YWCA, UNCF, The Links, Inc., and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority as a few examples. Most organizations are in dire need of another set of hands, so go and help. Just do it! Don’t wait to be asked, but if asked, do what you can to help.” James Khattak is news editor of PPB. Griffin’s husband of 46 years, Mike, was her college sweetheart. Their son Michael joined Accolades in 2008 and is a past treasurer and president of GAPPP. He and his wife Erica also have given Griffin and her husband two grandchildren. Celebrating The Exceptional | FEATURE | JANUARY 2019 | 37