The Debt
Feb. 2, 2012
Justiin Davis '12
Justiin Davis '12 knows one thing for certain: Despite mythical tales of pulled boot straps and self-made men, no one can make it on his own. It isn't merely talent, imagination, intelligence and drive that set one on the path to greatness. Many influences, circumstances, institutions, opportunities and people provide advantages that often go unrecognized. Ego makes it rather simple to imagine success as a wholly personal enterprise. Despite the temptation, Davis, who debuted this season on the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award–winning HBO series Boardwalk Empire, remains honest and realistic about his journey.
"My family," he responds when asked what he believes is the secret to his success. "Whatever it was I dreamed, they always supported me."
The child of an African American/Native American mother and Italian/Spanish father, Davis was raised by a veritable village: a grandmother, four uncles, four aunts and a host of cousins who were more like siblings. It was, in fact, one of his aunts, Rosalin Davis, who first noticed his potential and began to take Justiin out to various entertainment agencies to secure work as an actor — beginning at the tender age of three.
"You could just take one look at him and see that there was something special there," Rosalin beams. "I remember the first time I took him out for an audition. I think it was for an HMO commercial. Justiin walked right up to the receptionist's desk, stood on his tippy-toes, held on to the desk and said to her, 'I want to be on TV!' We knew right then. Everyone was so impressed."
Davis' family took care of him in lieu of his mother and father. So strong were the bonds of his family that it was his grandmother who insisted on adopting him. She wanted to ensure he had a stable upbringing, surrounded by a loving, supportive family. She provided him every advantage she could, which to her meant Davis would be in church every Sunday and would receive a parochial education rather than a public one.
"She's from the South," Davis says of his grandmother, with whom he still lives. "She is all about the family, and because of that I owe her a tremendous debt."
The ethic he learned through these experiences is what he applies to the industry in which he now works. Not particularly known for its groundbreaking portrayals of racial minorities, Hollywood can be a tough place for an up-and-coming actor of color. None of this is lost on Davis. Still, he strives to see the silver lining.
"It's true. As a black actor you may often audition for the role of a thug or a character that may be seen as 'less than'. That just seems to one sided to me — especially since I'm a witness to the fact that there are so many people from my community and around the country that defy these stereotypes. In the past, I have seen a lack of creativity, which, to me, makes roles like the one in Empire a rare blessing. I consider myself very fortunate in that regard."
Further, Empire has given him the opportunity to work with luminaries such as Martin Scorsese and Michael K. Williams, best known for his role on another critically acclaimed HBO series, The Wire. Davis says Williams has not only been supportive, but an inspiration.
Even after landing this enviable role (he has received mentions in Time and the Huffington Post), Davis insists on forward movement. He has a host of commercial work lined up, including a spot for Coca-Cola and two for JCPenney. And one project he's working on has the potential to be his big breakthrough.
"I can't really speak publicly about it yet. But it's a major franchise, and I have one of the lead roles. It's the kind of role that you don't often see people of color inhabit. This is the chance of a lifetime. I'm very excited about it."
He has a bit of advice to other young people of color from circumstances similar to his own who have grand aspirations.
"You must surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your dreams. If not your family, then your friends. If not your friends, then your teachers. If not your teachers, then your colleagues. Keep seeking until you find your community."
