Richard D. Maurice was a pioneering filmmaker from the early 20th century. In 1920, he formed the Maurice Film Company in Detroit, which was one of the first production companies that made films targeted specifically to an African American audience. These films which depicted African Americans in heroic and leading roles were in sharp contrast to most productions of the time which often relegated them to stereotypical and demeaning roles, if they appeared at all. After the film company ceased operations in the 1930s, Maurice worked for the railroad industry where he got involved in labor organizing.