Black History Month

The Evolve Agency Group president’s ultimate weapon is “to thrive, use my voice, and to have a seat at tables where some think we should not be.”

“There is no single way to be Black,” says Dyer. “However you show up each day is Black enough.”

The freelance marketing and publicity coordinator finds inspiration in those who possess a multidisciplinary mindset.

“You will find your home, you just have to be willing to bet on yourself,” says Jones-Hurst, who leads Oliver’s InKroud, a new division committed to creating representative, authentic work.

“I consider myself an IDEA professional,” says Atoe: inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

With a passion for innovation, music and pop culture, the RapTV COO is working to ‘put a ding in the universe.’

A digital strategist and content creator, Morris is committed to amplifying BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creators across the Canadian landscape.

Embrace your unique perspective and always bring your A-game, says the founder of Rise Integrated Sports + Entertainment. “You are not measured by the same ruler as everyone else.”

“We must all be the change,” says the Waking the unConscious founder and president

Communicate with head and heart, says Allen, because we are “empty when one or the other is absent”

“[T]here’s a lot of conversation around listening, speaking up, allyship, resource sharing—which is all great,” she says. “But what I don’t hear a lot about is accountability and measurement.”

After “stumbling” into agency life about three years ago, the account executive at Bleublancrouge has come to feel a strong love for the industry.

A one-time DJ who became one of Canadian advertising’s top audio experts is doing everything in his power “to make the work incredible.”

“Nothing changes overnight, so the more seeds of change you can plant the better,” says Fuse Create’s director of production.

When she started 25 years ago, she was typically the only person in the room who looked like her. And while there is more BIPOC presence today, there’s still a long way to go.

Singh took a childhood love of cinema and turned it into his own company, Ryan Singh Productions, which has worked with Hollywood heavyweights including Ron Howard and Angelina Jolie.

Thetypotherapy owner is a hands-on creative director who likes experimenting in order to find unexpected solutions.

A senior art director at The Kitchen, Clarke believes advertising goes beyond the work. “I’ve met so many amazing people along the way and created relationships that have lasted throughout the years.”

She wants to see a “deeper interrogation” of the content served to audiences so as to avoid tropes, stereotypes and misrepresentations.

“Ask the uncomfortable questions to CMOs and CEOs about their choices,” to ensure brands aren’t missing marginalized communities, says Bonnick.