—Throughout Black History Month, The Message will be sharing short profiles of Black professionals from across the industry: marketing, advertising, PR, media and production. Written by POCAM members, the profiles are a way to “fight invisibility,” an exercise in representation for an industry where representation must get better—
Maurice Davis (he/him) is president, CEO and founder of Davis Copeland Inc., a boutique strategic brand management and tactical marketing company serving business leaders and entrepreneurs in Canada’s hospitality, real estate, automotive and retail sectors. Prior to founding Davis Copeland in 2019, Davis studied fine arts and painting at York University and transitioned into an accomplished sales and marketing professional for over 25 years, with companies like Dell, American Express and Hudson Bay Company. He teaches Hospitality Marketing Strategies at Centennial College, and he’s a Donor Ambassador for SickKids Hospital’s The Community Ask.
What attracted him to this industry? “I always had an interest in the stories behind brands,” said Davis. The ability to use his creativity to impact these brands appealed to him. Launching Davis Copeland to provide custom solutions to business owners and managers felt natural, given his love for people, true engagement and hospitality. Davis explained, "My passion is to make brands better through customer service and engagement, enabling brands to cultivate a guest experience where the interaction becomes synonymous with the brand.”
Creative ideas and high-value thought come easily to Davis, but it has been challenging to find opportunities and fair compensation for his craft. It has been very hard to break in. Davis sees Sabaa Quao of Cossette as a role model. When I asked Davis what was the most amazing thing that has happened to him since he got into the business, he said, simply, “This feature. To be acknowledged and recognized.” He gave it a beat and then offered another triumph. “I designed a garment that was worn by the late Tupac Shakur in the movie Above the Rim.” Seeing his creation on screen, Davis shared, was truly rewarding.
Davis simply walks away from situations with bias and racism. He knows they’ll be less successful without him. He stays positive and motivated at all times. Davis would like to see more collaboration in our industry, instead of competition, and more industry opportunities for BIPOC folx based on the value they bring, instead of just being considered as consumers. For his part, Davis strives to add value to every opportunity and tries to work with anyone who offers the best solution, even competitors.
Davis advises young Black talent getting into the business:
Maurice Davis (he/him) is president, CEO and founder of Davis Copeland Inc., a boutique strategic brand management and tactical marketing company serving business leaders and entrepreneurs in Canada’s hospitality, real estate, automotive and retail sectors. Prior to founding Davis Copeland in 2019, Davis studied fine arts and painting at York University and transitioned into an accomplished sales and marketing professional for over 25 years, with companies like Dell, American Express and Hudson Bay Company. He teaches Hospitality Marketing Strategies at Centennial College, and he’s a Donor Ambassador for SickKids Hospital’s The Community Ask.
What attracted him to this industry? “I always had an interest in the stories behind brands,” said Davis. The ability to use his creativity to impact these brands appealed to him. Launching Davis Copeland to provide custom solutions to business owners and managers felt natural, given his love for people, true engagement and hospitality. Davis explained, "My passion is to make brands better through customer service and engagement, enabling brands to cultivate a guest experience where the interaction becomes synonymous with the brand.”
Creative ideas and high-value thought come easily to Davis, but it has been challenging to find opportunities and fair compensation for his craft. It has been very hard to break in. Davis sees Sabaa Quao of Cossette as a role model. When I asked Davis what was the most amazing thing that has happened to him since he got into the business, he said, simply, “This feature. To be acknowledged and recognized.” He gave it a beat and then offered another triumph. “I designed a garment that was worn by the late Tupac Shakur in the movie Above the Rim.” Seeing his creation on screen, Davis shared, was truly rewarding.
Davis simply walks away from situations with bias and racism. He knows they’ll be less successful without him. He stays positive and motivated at all times. Davis would like to see more collaboration in our industry, instead of competition, and more industry opportunities for BIPOC folx based on the value they bring, instead of just being considered as consumers. For his part, Davis strives to add value to every opportunity and tries to work with anyone who offers the best solution, even competitors.
Davis advises young Black talent getting into the business:
- Strive to add value. Always. Add so much value that you cannot be denied.
- Be resilient. Believe in your brand and trust the process.
- Be authentic.
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Dominique Seaton is a freelance copywriter and digital marketer whose career began just seven years ago, working in-house as a marketing assistant for a beauty supply company. She participated in planning and executing some pretty memorable events—one of which led to being in the same room as the legendary Erykah Badu.
Seaton was drawn to copywriting because of the power of words to impact others and built the courage to launch her boutique content marketing agency about a year ago. She uses her deep fascination with human psychology and sociology to connect with people from all walks of life. She loves helping other business owners achieve their goals. Located in BC, Seaton focuses on crafting email and social media campaigns for Black-owned companies. “The best part—I'm doing it on my own terms,” she said.
Seaton has been mentored by highly sought-after copywriters and entrepreneurs, including marketing consultant/creative business strategist and BIPOC entrepreneur Chelli Johnson. Seaton admires how Johnson speaks in a way that is both profound and relatable. “Her mindset and enthusiasm is quite frankly 'not-of-this world,' and she constantly inspires me to improve my skills as a professional and to be a better person,” Seaton explained.
Seaton is happy to see more Black professionals in professional settings and higher-up positions, but she still feels more could be done to give Black professionals, particularly Black women/women of colour, the recognition they deserve. “I think we just need to keep speaking up and making our voices heard, whether through our professions, the content we create online, through protesting, calling out our officials, or just keeping the conversations open and honest amongst our friends while educating non-BIPOC individuals along the way,” she said. Whenever Seaton is on social media, she gives fellow Black content creators a shout-out or reposts their updates on her newsfeed.
Dominique’s advice for young Black talent? “Know that you’re worthy to be in whatever space you’re in. Be authentically you in all that you do, without apologies. Be willing and prepared to work hard and make sacrifices to achieve your goals. Lastly, always go above and beyond and strive for excellence in all areas of your life.”
“All in all, I'm still a work in progress,” said Seaton, “but I strive to be at least better than who I was yesterday. My mantra is and always will be: Trust God, love yourself, and always do your best!”
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Marc Piper is the new media lead in the Ontario Public Service. It’s a role he enriches with 18 years of experience, passion and a commitment to reshaping the industry for the better. He relies heavily on a narrative of creativity, inclusivity, and advocacy in his personal design practice.
Piper’s older brother introduced him to the world of design. He was captivated by the knowledge that his love for art could be a profession. Piper acknowledges that he entered the industry with privilege. Many aspiring designers lack access and he believes these barriers must be addressed to make our industry more inclusive.
Unsurprisingly, Piper names his brother as his standout BIPOC inspiration, along with some other amazing designers like Cey Adams, Emory Douglas and Mark Rutledge. Look up those names people. You’ll learn something big.
Piper tackles racism head-on and uses it as fuel. “I strive to make an impact,” he said, even if that change won’t come in his own lifetime. He believes we need to shift from a consumerist mindset to a socialist approach, to make our industry more inclusive.
He advocates for designers to leverage their influence for positive change and envisions a future where executive positions are occupied by more BIPOC individuals with genuine influence, challenging the conventional narrative. Piper encourages the industry to broaden its perspective, by exploring and preserving Black and Indigenous art and practices. He emphasizes the need for alternative design influences beyond the dominant White practitioner lens.
In 2011, his career was transformed by his connection with a community of designers at the HOW Design Conference. He forged lasting relationships that serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, and as a support system. To aspiring BIPOC talent Piper says, “Consider the impact of your work on the many, not just the few. Balance large clients with smaller ones. Find a community of like-minded designers, and together, actively advocate for the world you want to see.”
On his wrist, Piper has tattooed the mantra "Be better than yesterday," a reminder that every day presents an opportunity to improve. It guides his approach to life, drives his continuous pursuit of inspiration and informs his personal and professional growth.
He reaffirms his steadfast commitment “to creating an industry that welcomes diversity, challenges norms, and serves as a platform for meaningful expression.” It’s his compass when navigating the complex landscape of design. Piper is looking to expand his client roster and he invites us to reach out, collaborate. and make something meaningful together.
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Head shot by El Jover, poster by Marc Piper.
Thanks to Steve Wallace for nominating Maurice. All three POCAM BHM 2024 profile were written by Gavin Barrett, CEO/CCO/Founder of Barrett and Welsh and a co-founder of POCAM and the Multicultural Marketing Alliance of Canada.
