Amara Pope (MA ’16) is passionate about working in the world of marketing and social media to create a more aware and equitable society.

Two years ago, she was a graduate student at Laurier majoring in Communication Studies. Today, she applies the skills she learned through her Laurier degree in the field of communications and marketing while continuing her education through a Ph.D. in Media Studies at Western University.

"At Laurier, I found a way to consolidate my interests in marketing, social media, branding and identity politics," she says.

Her passion for popular music and race and gender studies led her to publish an academic article, Musical Artists Capitalizing on Hybrid Identities: A Case Study of Drake the “Authentic” “Black” “Canadian” “Rapper” in the final year of her master’s degree. In this article, she explores Drake’s marketing strategies and branding representation through social media.

Her article was well received and led her to present at conferences across the country and undertake several interviews with the media. Amara shares her work with academics and non-academics alike and is deeply invested in making her research accessible.

"What good is knowledge if it stays in the ivory tower?" she says.

Amara encourages Laurier students and alumni to find ways to turn their interests into both academic and non-academic careers. She recently gave a TEDx Talk discussing her academic journey and how she continues to grasp opportunities to develop her skills and passions.

Amara truly enjoyed her experience at Laurier and appreciated working as a teaching assistant in the Communication Studies Department and research assistant during her degree. She has always been determined to further her education. Her aspirations were inspired by many influential teachers and professors she met at Laurier.

"I found many supportive and intelligent teachers and professors at Laurier, who helped me to find ways of shaping my skills into a career. I am very thankful for my experience at Laurier and the opportunities I received through my degree."